What has LB Hounslow ever done for Chiswick?

Mayor of Hounslow, Chiswick Riverside Councillor Amy Croft, at the official opening of the Chiswick Health Centre

LB Hounslow has opened its purse a few times this year to funds things in Chiswick

There is a pervasive idea in Chiswick that we are not loved by our local council. The majority of W4 comes under the London Borough of Hounslow, (the rest in LB Ealing) and the belief, often repeated, is that as Chiswick, generally more prosperous than most of the rest, is the milk-cow from which the Labour council funds projects in other parts of the borough, while we, on the eastern extremity, miss out.

Now that LB Hounslow has published its annual State of the Borough report detailing how the borough is doing, recorded by a variety of metrics, and how our Council Tax money is spent, I thought I would have a look to see what money they have spent on Chiswick.

As I looked further, it became more and more like the What have the Romans ever done for us? scene in Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The answer, apparently, is quite a lot.

Chiswick Health Centre, opened March 2025

Chiswick Health Centre

The stand-out expenditure has been on the new state-of-the-art health centre in Fisher’s Lane. Chiswick Health Centre, which opened its doors in March, is home to three GP practices – Chiswick Health Practice, Chiswick Medical Practice, and West4GPs – and the Chiswick Primary Care Network staff and services.

The new centre reflects the current thinking on local healthcare provision, offering expanded GP services, mental health support, and community-led ‘wellbeing’ activities all under one roof.

It cost £23m.

READ ALSO: Chiswick Health Centre celebrates its first six months

Walkway beneath Barnes Railway Bridge, opened January 2023

Prior to that, the most expensive outlay recently was probably the award-winning Dukes Meadows walkway beneath Barnes Railway Bridge, which opened in January 2023, funded by Hounslow as one of the Mayor of London’s Liveable Neighbourhoods schemes, at a cost of more than £4m.

READ ALSO: New walkway underneath Barnes Railway Bridge opened

Activities at the Hogarth Youth and Community Centre

Capital expenditure

Recent capital expenditure in Chiswick includes:

Hogarth Youth and Community Centre – £220,173.86

Refurbishment of the youth & community centre, focusing on replacement of windows currently in disrepair and restoration of outside window sills; repairing the roof and brickwork; waterproofing and structural repair to the boiler room; fireproofing the electrical distribution cupboard; and upgrading guttering systems, including downpipes.

READ ALSO: Hogarth Youth & Community Centre “delighted” to be Mayor’s chosen charity

Design for restoration of Promenade Approach

Dukes Meadow Trust £217,856.00

Restoration of Promenade Approach to create a high-quality space the community can be proud of. A project ‘to create and improve the entrance to Duke Meadow Park and link the road with the high-quality playgrounds beside it.

Providing a ‘safe, accessible, and a welcoming route to and from the Thames Path encouraging residents and Housing tenants living in Alexandra Gardens, Edensor Gardens and Staveley Gardens to enjoy walks along the road, through the park and onto the river path.

READ ALSO: Consultation launched for restoration of Promenade Approach in Dukes Meadows

Textile artist Tomoko Yamanaka in her new studio at Chiswick House; photograph by Amol Rapole

Artists’ studios at Chiswick House – £200,000

Hounslow chipped in £200k to the creation of new artists’ studios from unused outbuildings in the gardens of Chiswick House, along with a £180,000 contribution from the Mayor of London’s office and other individual donations.

READ ALSO: New artists studios opened at Chiswick House Gardens

READ ALSO: Artist meets benefactor at Chiswick House Open Studios

Ginkgo Corner, Old Market Place

Gingko Corner £75,000

Refurbishment of the corner of Old Market Place beside Linden Gardens, organised by the Chiswick Flower Market but paid for out of Hounslow’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, (aka the ‘Levelling Up’ fund). Not sure what residents of West Hounslow or Feltham would think about that.

READ ALSO: Chiswick’s Ginkgo Corner declared open by BBC presenters Arit Anderson and Nicki Chapman

The Bedford Park Society exhibition to mark the 150th anniversary of Bedford Park was launched in the Boston Room of George IV on Wednesday 7 May

Bedford Park Society £5,577 – 150th anniversary exhibition and special publication

An exhibition and special publication to mark the 150th anniversary of Bedford Park.

The Bedford Park Conservation Area is a local asset of significant architectural and historical interest, nationally and internationally. The exhibition will highlight the architecture of Bedford Park and the rich story of its unique community, exploring the relationship linking the community and its architecture through the 150 years of its history.

READ ALSO: Bedford Park 150 anniversary project turns up new information about its history

Age Concern £3k

For new fire doors to ensure that the building is safe for all users.

Gunnersbury Park Garden Estate

Small grants

Gunnersbury Park Garden Estate Centenary Society

LB Hounslow made a contribution to the Gunnersbury Park Garden Estate residents group, the Centenary Society, to celebrate their centenary year starting in September 2025. Funding will go towards oral history project which will engage older residents.

READ ALSO: Gunnersbury Park Garden Estate celebrates its centenary

W4 Youth club football

W4 Youth

‘Game Changer 2025-26’- to support ten young people on a  coach development programme.

READ ALSO: W4 Youth shares stories of how the club is already changing lives

READ ALSO: W4 Youth founder Sally Chacatté attends the King’s ‘Youth Opportunities summit’

Jessop House – Sheltered housing 

Contribution towards activities focused on elderly residents to improve health and well being.

Grove Park Terrace Street Party

Contribution to the event which took place on Saturday 28 June.

Riverview Rd Street Party 

Contribution to the event taking place on Saturday 12 July

Middlesex Pride

Contribution to the Middlesex Pride 2025 event in Gunnersbury Park on Sunday 27 July

This list is by no means exhaustive, I am sure, but it does give me pause for thought the next time someone says to me: “Hounslow Council doesn’t do anything for Chiswick”.

Pictures from the Gunnersbury Park Garden Estate party on Sunday; Photographs Ana Soto

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar