Forum Topic

Barratt & TfL Proposed Development Acton Lane

http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conplan121h.htm

Philippa Bond ● 1262d16 Comments

Obviously the Hounslow and Ealing 'Tractor production at a 5 year high' fanboys love it.

Basil Finnis ● 1262d

I see that, as well as the whole Bollo Lane embankment, they’re also considering developing the London Transport Depot north of Acton Town station. But why stop there? There’s stacks of land up there with some railway lines and a few sheds to keep those train things in which must be a waste of space and could be far better used for housing - and making money!

Peter Evans ● 1262d

Plus the 100 Gunnersbury Lane towers just approved near Acton Town station....  See http://www.actonw3.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conplan025b.htm

Peter Evans ● 1262d

Don’t forget they are creating ‘jobs’ along with the homes. Not sure what jobs they are but that’s a minor quibble.

Simon Hayes ● 1262d

From a post by Mr Lambert on the Brentford forum.'The reality is that local councils have very limited influence on who buys land, decides what they want to build, and when, and who they target as purchasers. Of course, major applications come to planning committee but developers are mostly interested in making a profit and any attempt to reduce the developers net profit below 20% net will regularly be appealed and the inspector will normally find in the developers' favour in that instance. Of course as a local authority we try and get the best outcome we can but we live in a world ruled by largely unfettered capitalism and frankly if the Chinese, Americans, Saudis or Irish can outbid locals they will win.'That's all you really need to know about Hounslow and Ealing.I'll wait for the usual squeeks about' jobs, growth, affordable housing' from the council fanboys and fluffers

Basil Finnis ● 1261d

You should also look at where political parties get their funding while you are at it.  Desmog is an interesting website.BTW I didn't actually mean to post this inaccurately captioned original post as the story is on the front page of the website anyway.  It was meant to be an email sent in haste before going out.  More haste less speed.  I think you will find that TfL is doing what the Govt wants as Govt holds the purse strings.

Philippa Bond ● 1261d

Hi, Phillipa, just to let you know that I never click on your daily website links and I doubt if many others do.  Please either post a synopsis or the full article if permitted or offer to post/send the full article to those interested.

Claire Moran ● 1261d

No worries Claire - it is up to everyone to make an effort for themselves - and sometimes I do write more.  The article for this is on the front page.

Philippa Bond ● 1261d

That’s rich coming from someone who posted five links in one post at 20.16 on 07/04/23.

Andrew Jones ● 1261d

Golden visas are also an interesting subject.

Philippa Bond ● 1260d

It is possible that this development will never be completely built. They have started with the main tower block near Chiswick which will have a lot of very lettable flats with panoramic views over London. I don't know what the affordable portion of this building is (if any) but there will be enough market rent flats to yield a healthy income. The problem comes when they start to try and sell the lower priced units in the later developments. The secondary market for Acton Gardens units is now below what many people paid for them and rising service charges are making people regret moving there.  Shared ownership schemes and other supported purchases will be popular as they were in the Pocket Living building but most of these schemes need good sales on the market price units to make a profit. This doesn't look likely in the current environment. Barratts have lots of projects on hand and can probably twist TfL's arm to get a low cost for transfer of the landbank into the development company but that will significantly reduce the excess that can be invested back into transport which is how this scheme is being justified.

Andrew OSullivan ● 1257d

I suspect the same - that the complete plan, with all the 'extra' garden areas, landscaped walkways, and cafes, won't actually happen, unless the planning authorities can hold them to it.  Having said that, we never thought we'd get the planned 'rusty' footbridge from Chiswick Business Park to Bollo Lane, as the developers repeatedly put off building it - but someone must have leaned on them and we got it in the end.

Peter Evans ● 1257d

I offered to post the full articles, Andrew, on that thread. You didn't bother to take me up on it. Usual snide remark from you.

Claire Moran ● 1257d

There is a very good photograph of the Chiswick Park Bridge on the Chiswick Calendar website, helping to promote their art and photography exhibition by local artists at the Clayton hotel later this month.

Stewart Jones ● 1257d

My recollection is that the delays to the bridge were nothing to do with the developer but a disagreement between TfL and Network Rail about costs and responsibility for maintenance.It is perhaps worth remembering that the business park site was originally London Transport land that was given permission for development with all sorts of promises about improved transport infrastructure and nothing was delivered.As to the Bollo Brook House Tower, the coverage on this site doesn't specify what the affordable component is but all the flats will be rented out. If it is 100% market with the affordable component promised in the later phases then TfL and Barratts really have pulled a fast one.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1256d

I had a relook at the documentation for the tower and I was wrong to suggest that there was no affordable component to Bollo Brook House.50% will be classed as affordable 'in line with policy H5 of the Intend to Publish Draft London Plan (2019)'. No idea what that means but there is no mention of social rent in the documentation.The affordable units will be up to floor 11 and the full priced ones will be from 12 - 24.Obviously depends on what rent they decide to charge for both categories but I can see the flats being popular.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1251d