Forum Topic

New Watermans Arts Centre Exhibition

Appalling, absolutely appalling.  Open developer profiteering in the extreme.Would have thought someone would have posted something on this site before now.  Was advised that 208 people went to the exhibition on Wednesday (from another source) and it was crowded today with people asking questions.  When I was approached if I had any questions, I said, "It's disgraceful, you need your heads looking at. I'm leaving and I have only been here 2 minutes", and promptly left. How the heck are they going to get the two, however many storey buildings, side by side onto the tiny width space here at the old Police Station! A space in between these 2 towers rising to 1/2 storeys is indicated which I assume will also encompass the ground floor/s of the 2 towers for the 500 seat theatre.  Unsure at the moment how many seats are currently at Watermans to make a comparison.On the existing Watermans site they want to put up an eight-storey block - the ground floor at a lower level than is existing at present alongside the river will house a café, etc., (I think - I didn't stay long enough to find out) with flats above.  A gigantic carbuncle on the riverside.  If anything should happen to this site afterwards it should become an extension of Watermans Park (a park) for the enjoyment of residents.  Don't forget also that a little outdoor café is planned for the marina development so why have another one in this new building?????Maybe I am wrong on this café! bit but just looking at the height of these buildings has put my hackles up.Its about time this Council and its Officers started thinking about its existing residents rather than cashing in on new.

Eileen Henderson ● 3199d29 Comments

"The existing Watermans is not worth keeping.  The new one will enable Brentford to attract better quality theatre and live entertainment.  The old police station and Morrisons are blots on the landscape and a visual block to the church and the green space beyond.Redeveloping the Watermans site will enable a full Thames side path which will be a huge asset to Brentford. Brentford needs to enter the 21st century. The riverside and its views to Kew have been hidden for decades, if not centuries."Were you looking at the same plans?The Riverside and it's views, hidden? They certainly will be except to those exclusive apartments.No one is going to go and look at the river from an alleyway.Morrison and the court are low level single storey. Ever wondered why?The park and the school will be completely obliterated and will lose almost all but summer direct light. In fact the whole skyline will be obliterated from the south and south west.This will reduce the quality of light to the Park and the school will probably need artificial lighting at all time during the school year.The Watermans is a poorly designed building but most definitely in the right place. That is somewhere where you can enjoy the view of the river and is far enough away from residences that it can do events without irritation.It could and should be altered.In any case it has attracted top theatre in the past. It's it's policies and the tunes it is forced to dance to that have scuppered it's ability and reputation.That's not going to change with a different location. Once the novelty wars off and the grants dry up it will probably founder entirely as it will be in a completely bland location with no appeal. Not even Herons to watch over a pint.But if it can't put bums on seats in it's current very easy access location, complete with car park, it's certainly not going to anywhere else.

Raymond Havelock ● 3195d

I don't know what the local community thinks - only one or two people who have commented here or to me personally, and their views were mixed. We'll see.Whilst I do not understand the final details of the proposals - they will not emerge until the developers seek planning permission and this consultation should inform their approach - in principle I am in favour of this development. - It would provide a much bigger and better arts centre in the heart of Brentford, contributing to the vibrancy of the town centre in a way it cannot at present- It would remove the ugly police station building- It would provide a number of 'affordable' homes including some that are actually affordable- It would provide a riverside walkway which will link the centre of Brentford to Watermans Park (and hopefully beyond)- It will actually open up views of the river from the High Street, though to what extent is still to be clarified. You cannot currently see the river from the High Street between Smith Hill and Watermans Park and you struggle even from within the Watermans Centre.That's not to say there are no concerns. A non-exhaustive list includes: parking for the arts centre needs to be properly considered; we must not lose any of Watermans Park; the riverside development should be permeable (as Ferry Quays and Kew Bridge are) and not fenced off from the public; the height of all the buildings, particularly at riverside, needs review as does the general density of development (which seems to me to have become more dense since I saw previous versions of the plan); we need to maximise the amount of affordable and social housing and ensure it is properly integrated.There is likely to be a public meeting to discuss this and the Morrisons site in the fairly near future. People should come and express their views but in the meantime Brentford and Syon councillors will be more than happy to hear people's opinions.

Guy Lambert ● 3199d