Forum Topic

Old Shell Garage Site

Anyone know whats being built on the old shell garage site at Gillette Corner? (Rumours of self storage??). Also there's been lots of traffic engineers about, doing measurements around Syon Lane Station and Gillette Corner. Are we in for traffic improvements. It's chaos when when Glaxo/Sky staff exit the station en masse!

Andy Benson ● 3923d12 Comments

"I can see that 200 year old wall on Northumberland Ave getting "accidentally" knocked down!"Agreed ...and you should perhaps take Adam's advice if possible and report the matter. There aren't too many such historic and decorative walls around. Looking at the 1890's map for the area..it would appear to be part of the old Syon Hill Farm which dominated that area...long before the Great West Road was built in he 1920s.Glad to read that Access Self Storage Co. aren't proceeding. It would have caused a small traffic just there.A crane was on site today.

Jim Lawes ● 3895d

In which case you probably should contact the Planning Enforcement Team at Hounslow and ask them to investigate.

Adam Beamish ● 3908d

That's pretty much where i got to,too! Don't know why it's such a closely gaurded secret? Something is going up there, and as i live within 100 yards, i'd like to know what? I can see that 200 year old wall on Northumberland Ave getting "accidentally" knocked down!

Andy Benson ● 3908d

Having just gone through LBH's online planning history, I can't find any record of any planning applications for the site (known as former Syon Gate Service Station) since 2009.  There was a planning permission (ref. 00505/AF/P23) granted in July 2008 for the redevelopment of the site to provide a self storage facility, but subsequent applications to approve the details required by the conditions imposed on that permission were withdrawn, and now that permission has lapsed.

Adam Beamish ● 3908d

Building is well under way! I have asked 4 different builders on the site, what they are erecting. Same reply from all 4........."No English".Hmmmmmm!

Andy Benson ● 3908d

abt 1987 both shell garages one each side of the road

Jeannette Smith ● 3913d

The junction there is so congested at times that maybe it is an opportunity to widen the northbound part of the road (Syon Lane South..at the Great West Road traffic lights).Regarding the crowding at Syon Lane Station... I recall seeing a 1930s photo of the crowds of female staff filling the eastbound platform..following their workday at the McFarlane Lang's Biscuit factory which had moved from Putney to Osterley (where Tescos is now).  So many staff were making the new journey that I understand that the train they caught was called the "Biscuit Express".So the little station has been crowded before..but not with the might of Sky TV!

Jim Lawes ● 3919d

Well someone's building on it as we speak! And yes, lots of rumour around about the old Southall railway line. The traffic engineers have been surveying between gillette corner and Syon lane station.

Andy Benson ● 3920d

It seems that the site is being "remarketed" by Hounslow Council's business arm..and thus one assumes that the Access Storage Depot plan is dead.So it's seemingly still up for grabs!The site outside the Brentford (Syon Ward) boundary.

Jim Lawes ● 3922d

Oh !

Richard Smith ● 3922d

I think you're wrong Richard.There were two SHELL garages at Gillette Corner.It seems that the Access Storage Company have nor proceeded with their plans. The Bonnington Group plans for the Gillette Building have not proceeded either. Harrods have buzzed off from their Warehouse...to Park Royal . In the meantime SKYTv are expanding like mad with new buildings galore...with perhaps their eye on the underused railway line to Southall and yonder.

Jim Lawes ● 3922d

I do not think it was a Shell. Shell was always and still is on the London Bound carriageway.Was it a Total or Esso Garage ?

Richard Smith ● 3923d