Revised Ham Wharf Development Out for Consultation

Changes made after comments on original design

A visualisation of the project viewed along the River Brent. Picture: AVR London

June 4, 2024

A second consultation period has opened for residents to comment on plans (P/2023/3014) for two tall buildings containing 60 flats at Ham Wharf by the River Brent.

The developer is seeking permission to demolish the Fraser’s Timber building and associated warehousing and build two towers of ten and six storeys.

The planning application was first submitted last year after the plan was first outlined in 2022 and a public consultation held.

Now further changes have been made to the designs. These do not affect the size and footprint of the buildings near the Augustus Close bridge but are a response to requests by borough planning officers who have asked for different materials to be used on the exterior. These are slightly darker than those used in the initial designs and now have a red-orange tone rather than the buff-coloured brick previously used.

A visualisation of the project viewed along the Augustus Close. Picture: AVR London

A report commissioned by the applicant explaining the changes state, “While the overall scale, mass and form of the taller building within the scheme has not changed in this view, the changes proposed to the building’s architecture from the previously submitted iteration have served to create a building with a quite different feel. The chiaroscuro effect of the banding and balconies, combined with the single, red brick gives the building a more dramatic and sculptural appearance. The scheme continues to provide a comfortable step up from the Ham towards the Brentford Project.”

Another consultant’s report countering concerns expressed by the Environment Agency about flood defences has also been submitted by the applicant. It says both river walls are being designed to accommodate a raising of the flood defence level in the future to 6.7m.

A visualisation of the project viewed from the Ham. Picture: AVR London

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.

Map and aerial view of the Ham Wharf site

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 as it is now showing buildings to be demolished

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.

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.