Forum Topic

Goddard's 1980's Brutalist style redevelopment on the corner of Half Acre

Thoughts?

Jacob James ● 2767d21 Comments

Too late James. The council are happy for Brentford to turn into Clapham junior and bizarrely quite a few residents seem happy with that too - so... so be it. We will always have the postcards to remember when Brentford high street wasn't a brutalist sump..http://www.bhsproject.co.uk/images/pc_redlion1907_wt.jpg

Jacob James ● 2720d

He-lll--lll--lllo Jen- nn nn ifer!!!!!!Sorry my fffiiirrrsssttt time submitting to the forum and it did not appear to be submitting.It reminds me of that famous Donald McGill postacrd where the boss of the company asks a young boy newly enlisted into the firm if he went to a School for his stammer/stutter?"No Sir, I learnt to do it all by myself!"Please lest fight for a building with traditional lines to be approved by planners, Brentford deserves more!JAmes

James Bissell-thomas ● 2723d

What happened to you James, an attack of the stutters?

Jennifer Selig ● 2723d

Goddards I hope will not be able to build such hideous lump as their location is a prominent one in the  town, I emailed Goddards suggesting  traditional design, but James  Goddard replied implying that their hands are tied with council policy!!!!!!!! When I asked for a copy I received no further reply.I do not understand why Planning and Councillors have such little regard to Brentford yet they listened to KEW GARDENS over  the Kew bridge development, it is a historic Old Town and deserves more than what is being thrown at it.I alSo hink it is all very sad watching how the Arts Centre has now Lost its river view and parking, when it could have been incorporated in the basement and ground floor only of it's existing site - Like Riverside Studios in  wiser Hammersmith. now it will expand with no parking and surround by rental accommodation in Goddards and Morrisons who do not have to provide parking....madness!

James Bissell-thomas ● 2724d

Goddards I hope will not be able to build such hideous lump as their location is a prominent one in the  town, I emailed Goddards suggesting  traditional design, but James  Goddard replied implying that their hands are tied with council policy!!!!!!!! When I asked for a copy I received no further reply.I do not understand why Planning and Councillors have such little regard to Brentford yet they listened to KEW GARDENS over  the Kew bridge development, it is a historic Old Town and deserves more than what is being thrown at it.I alSo hink it is all very sad watching how the Arts Centre has now Lost its river view and parking, when it could have been incorporated in the basement and ground floor only of it's existing site - Like Riverside Studios in  wiser Hammersmith. now it will expand with no parking and surround by rental accommodation in Goddards and Morrisons who do not have to provide parking....madness!

James Bissell-thomas ● 2724d

Goddards I hope will not be able to build such hideous lump as their location is a prominent one in the  town, I emailed Goddards suggesting  traditional design, but James  Goddard replied implying that their hands are tied with council policy!!!!!!!! When I asked for a copy I received no further reply.I do not understand why Planning and Councillors have such little regard to Brentford yet they listened to KEW GARDENS over  the Kew bridge development, it is a historic Old Town and deserves more than what is being thrown at it.I alSo hink it is all very sad watching how the Arts Centre has now Lost its river view and parking, when it could have been incorporated in the basement and ground floor only of it's existing site - Like Riverside Studios in  wiser Hammersmith. now it will expand with no parking and surround by rental accommodation in Goddards and Morrisons who do not have to provide parking....madness!

James Bissell-thomas ● 2724d

Goddards I hope will not be able to build such hideous lump as their location is a prominent one in the  town, I emailed Goddards suggesting  traditional design, but James  Goddard replied implying that their hands are tied with council policy!!!!!!!! When I asked for a copy I received no further reply.I do not understand why Planning and Councillors have such little regard to Brentford yet they listened to KEW GARDENS over  the Kew bridge development, it is a historic Old Town and deserves more than what is being thrown at it.I alSo hink it is all very sad watching how the Arts Centre has now Lost its river view and parking, when it could have been incorporated in the basement and ground floor only of it's existing site - Like Riverside Studios in  wiser Hammersmith. now it will expand with no parking and surround by rental accommodation in Goddards and Morrisons who do not have to provide parking....madness!

James Bissell-thomas ● 2724d

Goddards I hope will not be able to build such hideous lump as their location is a prominent one in the  town, I emailed Goddards suggesting  traditional design, but James  Goddard replied implying that their hands are tied with council policy!!!!!!!! When I asked for a copy I received no further reply.I do not understand why Planning and Councillors have such little regard to Brentford yet they listened to KEW GARDENS over  the Kew bridge development, it is a historic Old Town and deserves more than what is being thrown at it.I alSo hink it is all very sad watching how the Arts Centre has now Lost its river view and parking, when it could have been incorporated in the basement and ground floor only of it's existing site - Like Riverside Studios in  wiser Hammersmith. now it will expand with no parking and surround by rental accommodation in Goddards and Morrisons who do not have to provide parking....madness!

James Bissell-thomas ● 2724d

Goddards I hope will not be able to build such hideous lump as their location is a prominent one in the  town, I emailed Goddards suggesting  traditional design, but James  Goddard replied implying that their hands are tied with council policy!!!!!!!! When I asked for a copy I received no further reply.I do not understand why Planning and Councillors have such little regard to Brentford yet they listened to KEW GARDENS over  the Kew bridge development, it is a historic Old Town and deserves more than what is being thrown at it.I alSo hink it is all very sad watching how the Arts Centre has now Lost its river view and parking, when it could have been incorporated in the basement and ground floor only of it's existing site - Like Riverside Studios in  wiser Hammersmith. now it will expand with no parking and surround by rental accommodation in Goddards and Morrisons who do not have to provide parking....madness!

James Bissell-thomas ● 2724d

Hard to believe the Grand Victorian street of Half Acre survived intact up until the 60s.

Jacob James ● 2761d

Corner has changed a lot. http://www.bhsproject.co.uk/images/pc_bank223_hw.jpg

Jacob James ● 2761d

I suppose branding is something you like or dislike, The simple Nike tick was one of the best advertising Ideas ever.Supposed the cheapest option for Godard's is to paint out all the text and design a sick on logo that can be easy taken on and off any vehicle, but even that costs a lot of money if you have a large fleet.That could end up with Goddard's investing less on there new Store.Brentford has been systematically destroyed since the fifties. with projects demanding demolition, only to have the project not being fully carried out.A lot of Brentford High Street was demolished to make way for a daul carriage way to run from Kew bridge to Hounslow town centre but it was never built, this was complete wanton destruction, on the GLC Part, thats why you have a short bit of dual carriage way by McDonalds, which was build in the early sixties.The GLC even built Brentford Dock estate as a Council estate, but Horace Cutler, allegedly heard to say when open the estate, "these flats are to good for Council Tenants"This thought has carried through to today with very little thought of the ordinary Brentford resident.So you are correct a second Croydon is on the cards 

Bernard Allen ● 2761d

Bernard if you’re going to quote text then at least get it right, I was referring to their branding and livery which is dated to say the least. I’m all for long standing well established businesses being part of Brentford’s future, but as such they have to contribute to that future by helping Brentford develop in a considered manner. Whilst their proposed scheme is an improvement on the existing site it must have empathy and longevity in its design with other proposed schemes in Brentford otherwise we’re in danger of repeating the mistakes of the past and ending up with more of the same. Finally in respect of your comment ‘If you don’t like what Brentford looks like go back to Croydon’ if the Chiswick Curve gets approval them I’m afraid Brentford may well become a poor dissemblance of Croydon.

Martin Case ● 2761d

while they're in a redevelopment mood, which is awful and a blot on Brentford's landscape!The only Blot on Brentfords Landscape it anything that has been built in the last ten years.The new Goddard building doesn't look to bad compared to the GWQ rubbish.No Ann I didn't go, I already knew about it, so there was no point in doing something twice.

Bernard Allen ● 2761d

Nobody is trying to get rid of one of Brentford's oldest businesses. It is the Goddard family who is behind the proposed changes. Having gone to the exhibition at the Holiday Inn this evening (did you?) I would say that there is very little wrong with the proposals. Others may disagree, of course.

Anne England ● 2762d

You always get someone who wants to rip the heart out of a town buy trying to get rid of one of it's oldest business family's.A Business was started in Brentford by Samuel Goddard in 1815.If you dont like what Brentford looks like go back to Croydon

Bernard Allen ● 2762d

Let's hope Goddard's also take a look at their branding  while they're in a redevelopment mood, which is awful and a blot on Brentford's landscape!

Martin Case ● 2762d

I hope as part of the demolition process they have a watching brief for archaeological remains. The site was excavated many years ago but techniques have changed.

Neil Chippendale ● 2767d

I prefer it to what is being proposed.

Keith Iddon ● 2767d

It's typical late 60s 70s , no frills .  But not overbearing or a box with cladding or glass on it.It's the current stuff being submitted and approved that is a sad indictment on current architecture.There's some great stuff , innovative stuff and pleasing and interesting to the eye stuff.  But not here or anywhere locally.But what we get imposed locally, is the absolute opposite. Toshed up , third rate stuff dressed up on the outside. And looks decades old before its even fully occupied.If only some of this stuff going up was in proportion and interesting.

Raymond Havelock ● 2767d

Well, what's there now isn't any sort of architectural gem - I'm afraid Brentford has already been spoiled.

Vanessa Smith ● 2767d