Forum Topic

Bungalows being erected in back gardens in Isleworth

Sarah Felstead has written excellently on this subject on the Chiswick Forum ("Erecting a garage" thread)..and also on the Ealing Forum (on some thread or other).The building of habitable bungalows..on the pretence that they are perhaps an outhouse,or a garage, or a garden office...seems to me to be flouting local customs, the local planning strategy..and fair play..and the people concerned are just pushing their flouting too far.  Civic Centre staff and Councillors must either be turning a blind eye to the flouting..or are powerless to do anything about it. The fact that these places that may be occupied by..all kinds of people...seems to have no affect on the Coouncil Tax/Charge payable.Bring back the Poll Tax..that was fair!Increasing population density in this way..adds pressures to so many local public srvices.   Have a look at the Chiswick and Ealing threads if you can. This issue is definitely of concern in Isleworth.Maybe this concern should be published in the local free newspapers to get maximum publicity  ...but as most of those journals rely on Estate Agents advertisements for their business..the free nemspapers are not likely to be interested.Are Councillors?

Jim Lawes ● 7248d14 Comments

..which is in the way of vehicles crossing into and out of the property tucked behind?Following extensive public consultation with an advert in the Middlesex Chronicle on 3rd June 2005, a site notice displayed & letters notifying adjoining residents of the proposal, the people of the area decided that they held no opinion concerning the end part of this very old wall.  As no representations were received somebody within the Fortress thought that it was in order to make way for cars over the historical interest and appearance of the old wall and the appearance of Jersey Road itself.  Having established ownership of the wall fronting the pavement and park, they gave the go ahead for: 'Demolition of existing gateway columns and part of wall, widening of gateway and erection of new columns and wall to create visibility splay to crossover'.So that’s all right then ... or can we add this loophole to the growing list?

Sarah Felstead ● 7241d

...Keith.Shame.PS What might the other answer be?

Sarah Felstead ● 7244d

No one likes a smart Alec Sarah...

Keith Iddon ● 7244d

Jim - I question whether they own the wall and therefore have the right to remove it?  does it not edge the pavement and the park, with a right of way across it at established parts?

Sarah Felstead ● 7244d

Yes, its a gaping hole in that 200 years old wall Sarah. All part of the ongoing "rape of Osterley" which started many years ago now..instigated it seems by incomers...who seem to have money ..and especially cash to do the most amazing things. The previous occasion that some of the wall was partly demolished ..was when the new larger gates to the Main Ebntrance of Osterley Park were erected a few years back. That's acceptable..I'm sure you will agree. The National Trust makes tasteful changes.  Sad about the other. We need our vigourous Councillors to be  topped up with a stimulant to keep these awful developements at bay. The finger points at one direction.

Jim Lawes ● 7244d

I have just driven past the hole in the ancient brick wall.  It looks much larger now - quite a noticeable hole in the very old wall which runs along Jersey Road, edging Osterley Park.  The part they are taking down to widen the driveway is the same as the rest of the wall along Jersey Road (has the same top to it).  Wonder if they have included measurements in the planning application as to how much they are intending to take down?  Maybe the whole wall is going to make way for some more huge gates - modern iron work being such an improvement on the ancient bricks ... (not).  It must be so inconvenient to have a small discreet entrance way into ones estate when there are so many large cars on the market these days.

Sarah Felstead ● 7244d

"If this is an example of the council using it's powers of reason,then they need their heads examining."Yes.

Sarah Felstead ● 7245d

I can't find your comments about the gaudy  (I’ve got moneeeee) gold and black gates, next to Osterley Park.  I have just driven past and find it amazing that the end house on the same side as these gates and the park, have taken down some of the ancient brick wall to possibly widen their entrance .  Maybe they know of a loophole to get planning permission through in a conservation area?  Maybe a skip reversed in and took the side of the wall down by mistake?  Maybe an ancient brick wall is not important in a conservation area?  The hole now there is just begging for another set of cor blimey gates to go up…….

Sarah Felstead ● 7246d

Jim,what's so wrong with improving your property like this if you can afford it?I know someone in Isleworth who did this so that when his kids and grandkids visit ,he has somewhere to put them so they don't have to stay in hotels.His son stays there when he is in London on his business.I think there is far to much meddling and tut-tutting from the council etc.when it comes to planning applications.            You highlighted recently the monstrosity that now houses the musical museum.If this is an example of the council using it's powers of reason,then they need their heads examining.              If the people staying in these 'garden bungalows'cause no noise or behavioural nuisance,what has it to do with anyone else?

Keith Iddon ● 7247d

But we somehow have got to stop the onward onslaught on our neighbourhoods...by people who are taking the mickey.I've mentioned before..I spoke to a local Hounslow Estate Agents recently..and asked him how some developers and their monied friends are able to built bulbous inappropriate properties and so on. "Jim",the chap said, "its money". He was suggesting crooked practices..but how can you find out the truth?Your comments about builders in your area..showing off their apparent links with authority..doesn't sound too honest ..does it?Paul Allen mentioned the Newsagent in Chiswick .. who ishaving problems trying to get approval to have his shop premises extended sideways ..over a concrete patch..so that he can built a disabled persons access facility. and his seeming harsh treatment compared with what goes one further west in the Borough..like Isleworth!..or north Isleworth more specifically!Yet in Hounslow, I have heard of a Councillor who managed to get approval for an extention to his property ...the side wall going to the pavements edge..which surprised my correspondent. Approval for one..and not for the other!We need more time to do research...if ever we find time.Wasn't there a dodgy take away kebab shop at the Lampton Corner..that started up business ...underneath an advertising hoarding...next door to an existing kebab place. I believe permission was refursed..but they carried on regardless. I'll try and check that out. So: your son's dentist spoke of Hounslow's lax planning enforcements. It must all be a can of worms!

Jim Lawes ● 7248d

Well, I say Jim....It was mentioned on Ealing under CAMBRIDGE YARD and many times on TW8 at various times.  I suppose the question to ask is - how many bungalows have been demolished by enforcement in the last X years?Eldest son had a long lecture from his Irish dentist the other day - not about dental hygiene (probably due to his fissure sealing, he has no fillings) but she had obviously been put out by somebody taking advantage of Hounslow’s lax planning enforcement.  In Ireland people are in no doubt about sticking to guidelines because the buildings get taken down, and the discussions come later!  She thinks we are stark raving bonkers in this Country, and that people blatantly take advantage where they can.... she isn't the only one thinking this!

Sarah Felstead ● 7248d

Enforcement is down to the Planning department, or whatever its full title is these days.  Assistant Chief Executive (Bungalows and Outhouses), possibly?If you get no joy, ask a councillor to get involved.Hopes this helps.

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

Phil; Thanks for the explanation.Sarah: Start making a list now!....Maybe that's what the Police helicopters were doing the other night..looking for domestic lighting at the end of gardens!The hunt is on. Will these bungalows be demolished if found to be illegally used. And which Department does one complain to.?

Jim Lawes ● 7248d

JimIf an application to build an outhouse comes to Area Committee, the councillors must accept that an outhouse is what it is intended to be and cannot refuse permission on the grounds of an unsubstantiated belief that it may become a residential dwelling.The contravention occurs when it then becomes a residential dwelling.  If the owner does not have permission to use it as such, the council can and should issue enforcement proceedings.  The first step, of course, would be for somebody to being it to the council's attention that the terms of the permission are being flouted.

Phil Andrews ● 7248d