Residents Welcome Manor Gardens Garage Site Decision
Proposals for taller buildings rejected by council planners
Residents feared plans could have resulted in closure of alleyway. Picture: ChiswickW4.com
December 17, 2025
A controversial proposal to redevelop the former garage site at Manor Gardens, between Ashbourne Grove and Wilton Avenue off Devonshire Road, has been turned down by planning officers. This has delighted the group of residents who fought hard to prevent the plans proceeding.
The developers had previously secured permission for a smaller scheme but their latest application sought to revive the project with significant changes, including a building three times larger than the original design and the incorporation of a public alleyway into the development footprint.
As well as the height and density of the plan, residents of Wilton Avenue and other nearby streets had voiced concern that the turning circle for vehicles at the end of their road could have ultimately led to the closure of the nearby alleyway due to safety concerns.
According to the delegated report, officers recommended refusal on several grounds. The proposed building was considered excessive in height and bulk, out of keeping with the surrounding terraced housing. Residents described it as “ridiculously tall,” and officers agreed it would dominate the end of the street and harm the character of the area. The scheme attempted to absorb a public alleyway into the development.
Planners ruled absorbing the public alleyway into the development could remove established pedestrian access and reduce permeability of the neighbourhood, contrary to local planning policy. The developers argued the changes were adjustments to an earlier approved scheme. Officers rejected this, noting that the scale of alterations amounted to a new application entirely, not a variation. In addition, the enlarged footprint raised concerns about overshadowing and loss of privacy for neighbouring homes, particularly those on Wilton Avenue and Ashbourne Grove.
The development site at the end of Wilton Avenue. Picture: ChiswickW4.com
Local residents had campaigned strongly against the plans, warning of a “land grab” and raising fears about the precedent it could set for small infill sites.
The developers may choose to appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate, but officers stressed that any future scheme would need to be substantially reduced in scale and respect the public alleyway to stand a chance of approval.
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