Deadline Looms to Comment on Gating of Brentford Dock

Council seeking to require estate to get planning permission for barriers

One of the new gates at Brentford Dock. Picture: Brentford Voice

February 24, 2023

The deadline is fast approaching for residents to have their say on the new gates that have been installed around the Brentford Dock estate.

The eight barriers have been installed to prevent public access to the riverside walk within the grounds of the estate. Only residents of the estate now have access to this area.

The council has given notice of an Article 4 Direction (A4D) which, if issued, would require the estate management Brentford Dock Limited (BDL), to obtain planning permission for the gates. If this was not granted, the gates would need to be removed.

There are 1,500 tenants and residents of Brentford Dock who pay a maintenance fee of over £200 a month per flat for the upkeep and security of the development. Solicitors acting for BDL have argued that closing the area off is justified because it is not reasonable to require residents to pay for provision of a public park which they would have to clean and maintain.

This is now subject to a public consultation and anyone can comment on the notice by emailing planning.comments@hounslow.gov.uk before close of business next Tuesday (28 February).

The subject of your email should be: "Representation for the Immediate Article 4 Direction - Brentford Dock".

You should clearly state within your email whether you support the A4D (and therefore the requirement for planning permission for the barriers) or do not support, and thereby back BDL’s stance.

View south from Brentford Dock. Picture: Andy Scott

Brentford Voice is opposed to the gating of Brentford Dock saying it wishes to see unfettered, but responsible and respectful, access to the riverside walk.

In a statement the group commented, “Many in our community will know that Brentford Dock Limited (BDL) has recently installed a series of gates which would prevent access to the riverside walk to almost all but the residents of Brentford Dock.

“The Grand Union Canal and the Rivers Thames and Brent have had a profound effect on the character and identity of Brentford and in very large part are responsible for our unique sense of place. Our waterways are the defining features of Brentford. They have a central role in telling the Brentford story. They are what made Brentford – ‘Brentford’.

“The scale of housing development in Brentford will result in a population increase of well over 30% between 2021 and 2031. At the same time, little or no additional open space or access to views of our waterways will be provided. We know that access to a walk beside a waterway makes us all healthier and happier. Access to the riverside is a key part of Brentford Voice’s emerging Waterspace Strategy.

“The stretch of the River Thames that includes Brentford Dock has been known as the Arcadian Thames for over 300 years. The views of the river and adjacent parks are one of this country's greatest treasures and were celebrated by the likes of JMW Turner, Reynolds, Walpole, and Dickens. Today, the Arcadian Thames is the largest connected open space in London.

“The Thames Landscape Strategy, of which Sir David Attenborough is a patron, emphasises the benefits of promoting access to the riverside. This is supported in the London Plan and in several documents adopted by LB Hounslow, including the Local Plan, the Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy, and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy”

Brentford Voice says it has attempted to open discussions with BDL on the matter but has not received a response. It is urging BDL to accept what it says is its wider social responsibilities and alternative approaches to any anti-social behaviour on the estate need to be explored.

The group is asking those that share its views, particularly Brentford Dock residents, to reach out in confidence by emailing info@brentfordvoice.co.uk.