Forum Topic

Development of Brentford High Street

Does anyone know what's happening with the development of Brentford High Street?  It seems absolutely ages since Ballymore covered the buildings in hopeful anticipation that at last something would be done to improve Brentford.  Despite the very interesting weekly newsletter from Guy Lambert we never seem to hear about the High Street development.  What's going on?

Jackie Richards ● 3077d11 Comments

that is encourage news and thanks for the update Guy.  I totally agree about the Creative aspect of the area, and would love for that to be a way forward.  There is a good buzzy vibe around Johnsons Island at the moment.  Hurrah.

Emma Renton ● 3075d

Nobody can defend what has happened hitherto but the current plans for South of the High St were approved in 2015 so are in line with the current retail environment (notwithstanding any effect of Brexit).Brentford has drawbacks as a town centre but also has real potential benefits - it's bang on the river/canal, has an interesting waterside community including people who live there, artists and boat related workshops, has a cinema and theatre nearby, which may move even closer, some good historic buildings amid the dross and has a very diverse range of population.I have said in the past rather cynically that I expect SOuth of the High St to happen in 2067 but there is a good chance it will start next year so I think we should keep up the pressure. And by the way, Ballymore UK recorded record profits last year so they are not quite the basket case some people like to suggest.

Guy Lambert ● 3075d

I have lived here for coming up to thirty years this summer.  I have seen and heard so many plans.  NONE have happened.  I totally agree that the 2010 or whenever plans are out of date.  Retail has changed beyond belief.  Also Dickens Yard is going to change Ealing and maybe produce some interesting shopping and eating experiences.  I give up on Brentford and regeneration.  If only it could have a totally fresh approach and almost start again.  I also blame the sixties town planners which ripped the heart out of the High Street.  Grrrrr

Emma Renton ● 3075d

For those who haven't already seen it here is an interesting little video, from 2010, about Brentford High Street. It contains some nice old photographs:http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/london/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9146000/9146356.stmWithout wishing to put words in others' mouths I wonder if the current consternation is partly about why it has taken so long for Compulsory Purchase Orders to be used to assemble the site. I understand that about 93% of the area of the site is already owned by Ballymore or by Geronimo, its wholly-owned subsidiary. A fair proportion of the remainder of the site belongs to LB Hounslow.Compulsory purchase is, quite rightly, a long and potentially tortuous procedure. However it was always going to be necessary from the beginning when the Brentford Town Centre Action Plan was adopted in 1997. Then there was a design brief in 1998, the Brentford Area Action Plan in 2009 and the Hounslow Local Plan in 2015.The CPOs relate to both freehold and leasehold interests and also to various rights in land. For example, the National Westminster Bank on the High Street, Paddy Power, and 110-111 High Street (owned by Goddards) are included in the CPO scheme. The Magpie and Crown, although the building will be unaffected, will be subject to the stopping up of the rear entrance from Brent Way and the siting of another location for the dropping of vital beer supplies. Dock Road, currently owned by Brentford Dock Limited, will also be subject to a CPO (this course of action was recommended by Brentford Community Council in 2008).I can remember "eviction day" on 23rd June 2007 when Ballymore/Geronimo, assisted by bailiffs and police, evicted a number of residents including those at Ridgeways Wharf.I note that Ballymore (an Irish company) and Geronimo (based in Jersey) have developed several other major sites in London including Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms where 180 of the first flats on the market were sold to buyers from Asia. The developers were at one time holding Feng Shui seminars to attract buyers from Singapore!

Jim Storrar ● 3075d

Theres too many fingers in the pie and too many reputations at stake, even those who are involved, but not part of the developers circle, are in a corner.It would be better for the borough to make a CPO for themselves and have proper control over a partnership developer/ and build what is really needed with genuine affordable housing mixed with some social housing.The problem with the Ballymore development is it is now way out of date. Retail is completely changing, business rates are going to finish the job over the next 5 years, housing is now for the wealthy from afar and not local people. All the things really needed are missing.There was a point where all that was promised looked OK. But in a way the delays are a godsend because it would probably be a hollow, soulless white elephant.The trouble is that with Ballymore ( and a few others ) in dire straits they are only interested in increasing profit per sq m so anything of benefit like downsizing safe homes for elderly locals, proper schools and family homes won't happen.They are probably playing the not uncommon waiting game to see at what point the council caves in and allows a raft of concessions to suit their shareholders return.A friend reminded me that our local MP comes from a family that created one of the world's best social housing estates, that a way cannot be found to revive what is tried, tested, harmonious and time enduring housing.  If she led that initiative, that would be something to make her ancestors proud and change the dreadful trend of the present.

Raymond Havelock ● 3076d

LOL 12 months process....the sign was put up well over a year...If Ballymore cant do it, just tell us, rather than fake news on them trying etc.....Or as said in the past, as they are dodgy, why not let them pay their way, at least make it transparent and quick.

Raki Smith ● 3076d

Or more bluntly Ballymore is a dodgy organisation with dodgy backers and their get rich quick schemes for investors has backfired.

Raymond Havelock ● 3076d

In  earlier LBH papers mention was made of Ballymore or rather its subsidiary requiring external funding in order to proceed.

John Todd ● 3076d

Not a question of waiting. If the council makes an order to buy your house or business premises you will want an option to oppose it/ seek more compensation/ whatever. I'm not an expert but I understand the legal process can take 12 months with the possibility of appeals/ judicial review/ whatever

Guy Lambert ● 3077d

I have heard about this CPO thing before. Why has it taken so long and why wait until 2018?

Pat Kingham ● 3077d

Glad you find my updates interesting!Last I heard the compulsory purchase orders needed to complete 'assembly' of the development site were going in in January and I made a mental note to get an update on that, which I will share as and when. There were about 19 pockets of land in the area to be developed which were not owned by Ballymore, the developer. The best estimate was that this would mean serious work starting spring 2018 because CPOs tend to be resisted and take a year or more to get resolved (and there are likely to be a lot of them)

Guy Lambert ● 3077d