October to See Consultations Galore

A raft of planning policies that will affect future development in Brentford

Next week's Cabinet Meeting sees the approval of a number of planning issues affecting Brentford (and elsewhere in the borough) that will then be put out to consultation to the public in October and November.

Public response is important and will help shape the final documents which help inform planning decisions at the very least.

The Local Plan sets out much of the planning framework for the borough. Adopted in 2015 it will last until 2030. The Planning Inspector recommended two local reviews, of the Great West Corridor and West of Borough in Feltham.

Cabinet will approve (or not) the following documents setting out the documents to be consulted on and how the consultation takes place:

The Draft Great West Corridor Plan is a comprehensive approach to place-making; the area currently has a largely commercial focus and suffers from segregation and the environmental impacts of major roads. It builds on the fascinating history of the Golden Mile and the interesting buildings contained within it. The Plan seeks to stitch the area together with Brentford town centre and the River Thames to the south and Gunnersbury, Boston Manor and Osterley Parks to the north; it identifies opportunities to provide increased commercial floorspace and diversify businesses; it proposes the introduction of some residential use into the area to provide greater vitality and to provide much needed housing; it supports the introduction of small centres for retail and associated uses which GWC currently lacks; and provides for and promotes the delivery of key transport infrastructure (rail links to Crossrail at Southall and to HS2/London Overground at Old Oak Common).

The Local Plan itself has "minor modifications" to bring it up to date with newer national legislation and some developments which have been developed.

In addition to the above, three Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) provide further guidnace on policies set out in the Local Plan.

- Residential Design Guidelines SPD – consultation undertaken July/August 2017 – adoption planned Oct/Nov 2017
- Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD - consultation Sept/Oct 2017; adoption planned Nov/Dec 2017
- Brentford East Planning and Design SPD- consultation Oct/Nov 2017; adoption Feb/March 2018

The Brentford East Planning SPD will provide more detailed information and planning and design guidance for new development within the Brentford East area (the area on the Great West Road, around Kew Bridge station between Gunnersbury Park and the River Thames). This is intended to provide interim guidance before GWC Local Plan Review is finalised. This is also for public consultation for 6 weeks Oct-Nov.

There has been a surge of developer interest with numerous high density development schemes coming forward in this area. The draft SPD aims to create a greater understanding of the development potential of the Brentford East area and considers opportunities for taller buildings and how any impact on surrounding heritage assets can be mitigated. It addresses key urban design principles such as enhancing public realm and connectivity both within the site and its surroundings.

Six Conservation Area Appraisals (CAA) will also take place of which two are in Brentford: Grand Union Canal and Boston Manor; St Paul’s Brentford; both of which cover Brentford and Syon wards. Public consultation in Oct-Nov 2017 with final appraisals adopted in March 2018.

The council has a duty to consider which parts of the London Borough of Hounslow are ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance and should be designated as conservation areas’. There is a pressing need for the council to produce CAAs for all its conservation areas to ensure that it is fulfilling its duty in the management and stewardship of the historic environment.

Boundary alterations are proposed for Grand Union Canal and Boston Manor.

The Local List is also up for revision. This contains the list of "locally listed" buildings, which are of less significance than Grade I or II buildings listed with English Heritage but are considered local heritage assets. There will be an initial consultation in October on the criteria for being on the Local List and then the List itself will be reviewed. You can see an unofficial map of locally listed buidings for Brentford.

Lastly (if you're still with us) there is the update to the Regeneration and Economic Development Strategy Projects which sets out, in a very readable manner, all the relevant projects across the borough and their progress. This ranges from an online borough business directory to a boat building academy on Lot's Ait.

All the draft documents can be downloaded from the Cabinet Meeting Agenda.

September 13, 2017