Petition Against The 32-Storey Chiswick Curve

Fears that tower could set precedent for tall buildings

Keith Garner, planning consultant to Kew Gardens, has started a petition against the Chiswick Curve. In it he states:

"This tower will blight protected views and alter forever the character of local conservation areas and the Kew Gardens World Heritage Site.

"At 120 metres, and dramatically out of scale with adjacent residential areas, this building is far too tall, particularly seen from nearby open spaces such as Gunnersbury Park and Kensington Cemetery to the north, which it will overshadow.

"It is also very much our concern that this very tall building will set a real precedent for a spate of other tall buildings, totally transforming the character of this area and harming forever world-class historical assets".

You can sign the petition on change.org

The petition is supported by the Skyline Campaign which has campaigned against the 72 storey Paddington tower.

The tower at Chiswick roundabout will contain up to 320 new apartments with 1-3 bedrooms and an expected 800 new residents. There will also be 50,000 square feet of commercial space including offices and restaurants which is anticipated will accommodate 400 staff. The second one will be 25 storeys high and linked to other tower at the lower levels.

A formal planning application was submitted by Starbones Limited to Hounslow Council on 21 December 2015. If planning permission is granted, the resulting skyscraper would be the tallest building in West London, higher than Trellick Tower in Paddington.

The deadline for residents to make comments was 1 February, although comments received after this date will still be considered if a decision has not been made by the Council.

The developers claim that an outward facing design approach and 'public realm strategy' will overcome the severance effect of the M4 flyover. They are also promising an improved pedestrian and cyclist environment beneath the M4 flyover.

February 18, 2016