Local Campaign Continues To Stop Pissarro Site Becoming Residential

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As developer makes plans to demolish the building

Local people in the Corney Reach area have pledged to continue their fight against plans to redevelop the former Pissarro restaurant into a three-storey residential complex.

In the latest development, a notice from the owner of the freehold, Gort Investments, has been placed on the property, stating an intention to demolish the building in January, 2016.

The proposed plans are for six two-bedroom apartments, two three-bed duplex family homes and a two-bedroom penthouse.

Over 150 local residents responded to Cascade Communication' exhibition two weeks ago to view the plans.

"The local residents would like to see the freeholder open up the freehold to restauranteurs, as originally promised, said a spokesperson for the community.

This is the second attempt to turn the restaurant site into residential units - a previous application to develop the site into eight flats was turned down following local objections.

However, a local resident noticed on Friday that the following notice had been posted. It states that the applicant has applied to Hounslow Council "for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the authority will be required as to the method of demolition of the building."

The proposed date of commencement is January 7th, 2016. One local commented that it was clearly intended to be put up at a time when many people would be unaware of developments, due to the Christmas holidays.

The proposed development would be set across three storeys with private ground level and roof-gardens with green roofs. A total of ten car-park spaces have been included along with cycle storage.

The picture shows the design for green roofs and private gardens

Corney Reach Way eastern view

It is expected that a planning application for redevelopment would be made in the spring, possibly March 2016, and if approval is granted, building would start in late 2016.

The restaurant closed two years ago and a previous application to redevelop the restaurant into residential units was turned down in 2014. The plans for the Chiswick riverside site had been controversial and nearly 200 residents had opposed a bid to extend the existing site and build eight two-bedroom flats with parking spaces and bicycle storage.

Local people in the Corney Reach area want the Pissarro site considered as an Asset Of Community Value.

Pissarro, which was named in honour of the 'Father of French Impressionism', Camille Pissarro (who painted many local scenes in the 1890s), opened in the late 1990s when it was owned by local investors. The restaurant has had a chequered history, and at one stage suffered a serious fire. It closed down in January 2014 with management saying there was not enough business in that area to make it a commercial success.

December 18, 2015