Council Acts To Prevent Brentford Dock Being Gated Off
Planning permission would now be required to restrict public access
Recently installed gates at the west end of the estate. Picture: Jim Storrar
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A meeting of the Hounslow borough planning committee this Thursday (7 January) has made a resolution which aims to prevent restrictions being imposed on public access to the Brentford Dock estate.
The committee unanimously resolved to make an Article 4 direction covering the entire area of the estate which effectively removes permitted development rights.
This aims to block proposals put forward by the management of the estate to install gates at access points. Full planning permission would now be required for the proposals to be implemented. It is thought unlikely that such permission would be granted as the council Blue Ribbon Network strategy which aims to ensure public access and use of waterways is part of the borough’s Local Plan.
It is understood the direction takes immediate effect, however some gates were installed at Brentford Dock a few days before the meeting. These possibly may now be the subject of an enforcement action and further implementation of the gating proposals would be in breach of planning regulations.
The gates that were installed, if they were closed, would prevent users of the Thames Path taking the footpath in front of Galba Court.
Recently installed gates at the Dock Road end of the estate. Picture: Jim Storrar
The area is popular with both residents and members of the general public as it affords excellent views of the Thames. If the full original proposals had been implemented the restricted area would have included the ‘Point’ where the River Brent joins the Thames to the south of Ferry Quays. The walk beside the Thames parallel to the footpath on the Kew side would also be closed to the public.
The land is private property but non-residents have been allowed access to it since the site was converted to residential use. The freehold belongs to Brentford Dock Ltd. (BDL) and it is believed that the move was being considered after complaints from residents by over-use of the site by non-residents particularly those having barbeques there. BDL owns the freehold of the Estate on behalf of its shareholders and leaseholders. We have asked the management of the estate for comment.
Jim Storrar of Brentford Voice said, “We were delighted with the decision by Planning Committee, and this felling is probably shared by the overwhelming majority of residents in Brentford.”
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January 8, 2021
