Comments Invited on Ham Wharf Development Proposal |
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Two buildings including one of ten storeys planned at Fraser's Timber site
October 31, 2023 A planning application (P/2023/3014) has been submitted for two tall buildings containing 60 flats next to the River Brent near the Augustus Close bridge. The developer is seeking permission to demolish the Fraser’s Timber building and associated warehousing and build two towers of ten and six storeys at Ham Wharf (TW8 8EX). The outline of the plan was first mooted over a year ago and a public consultation was held with some comments incorporated into the final design by Todd Architects. The scheme would include a small playground and enhancement to the waterside walkway which would be a minimum of 2 metres wide and be made step free, linking to the nearby Brentford Project. Benches would be provided which would look across at Syon Park.
The existing site of 1,622 sqm comprises an industrial type 2 / 3 storey warehouse building with a service yard. It is bounded by the River Brent to the south and the east, the Ham to the north and residential properties to the west. A number of houseboats are moored along the River Brent in front of the planned development. Ham Wharf is not a designated heritage asset, however it does sit within the Grand Union Canal and Boston Manor Conservation Area. The existing buildings are regarded as having no heritage value and a marketing report submitted with the application states that an attempt was made to rent out the buildings and no tenant could be found for the existing use.
The developer states within its application, “The proposal responds sensitively to the existing context of the conservation area and the emerging context of the adjacent Brentford Project regeneration scheme, and should be considered appropriate development at this location.” An assessment has been submitted by the developer with the application on the impact of the taller towers including on views from Kew Gardens and Syon Park and it is contended that there would be limited harmful impact. The flats would be 100% ‘affordable’ with 24 units supplied on a social rent basis and 36 classed as intermediate.
The development will be ‘car-free’ – this means, residents will not be eligible for permits to park on local streets except for 2 blue badge parking spaces. You can comment on the proposals by visiting the planning section of the Hounslow Council web site and search using the reference: P/2023/3014.
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