Forum Topic

Kew Bridge Site Inquiry closes tomorrow

With one day to go in this extended saga, I’m left wondering whether Brentford does not after all deserve whatever gets thrown at it.When developers go to Appeal against the Council, it is often the support the Council gets from concerned  local groups and individuals that can helpfully demonstrate to the Inspector that important issues are at stake. With this Inquiry, 5 groups registered as “Rule 6” parties, standing unrepresented by legal expertise to painstakingly voice the community concerns. They have done this with remarkable professionalism, in their “spare” time, for weeks on end.What has struck me however, is that only one group, the Brentford Community Council represented by our own Denis Browne, came from Brentford. All the others were from neighbouring Boroughs and districts, even though their organisation’s remits mostly stopped at the “border”. Same goes for public support. Half a dozen or so individuals from all around, mostly from Chiswick, none that I could recognise from Brentford.What does it say about a community when outsiders show more effort in defending its interests than the community itself does?Just a musing question that occurred to me, and that I was anxious to be rid off.

Nigel Moore ● 7431d2 Comments

Well it's all over now Jim, and we just have to wait for the outcome of the Inspector's decision. It was gratifying that the Council's expert witnesses all expressed their appreciation for the work of the "Rule 6" parties as part of a good team. Rather a pity the Council couldn't have followed suit, as we were after all, batting for their side on this occasion.It's true enough that few would have been aware of the dates etc, and even one of the most supportive local councillors turned up at the Civic Centre when the hearing resumed, not knowing that the venue had changed!Frankly I'm not that hopeful of the outcome, but we have to do what we can regardless.What is so depressing is that Ken and his employees in his planning dept are so willing to discount his own policies and say so in writing. That gets quoted by the developers as proving that their scheme is fully in accordance with GLA policies, when the opposite is true!

Nigel Moore ● 7427d

""With one day to go in this extended saga, I’m left wondering whether Brentford does not after all deserve whatever gets thrown at it...........What does it say about a community when outsiders show more effort in defending its interests than the community itself does?Just a musing question that occurred to me, and that I was anxious to be rid off""NigelIMHO you're quite to feel miffed about the apparent disinterest in Brentfordians in sorting out some local issues. Thousands of people will pile down to the Football club to solve matters...but only a handful each time on some other civic matter.  We have said many times in the past on this Forum that doing something with (or for) Brentford is like trying to stirr a stagnant pot of thick porridge. It bloody hard work..and the porridge would rather stay stagnant!That's why the recent Brentford Festival in Boston Manor Park won such high praises.... having attracted thousands of visitors to a splendid and unappreciated local venue.I don't believe the front page of this website had news about the Kew Bridge Site Inquiry dates..or did it?  Deadlines regarding planning appeals..could helpfully be included in a website calendar.  I find that information is too far scattered..and needs some convenient centrepoint.I sure I speak on behalf on many readers in thanking you foryour personal efforts to  keeping us posted on the work you do in publicising Brentford's Riverside and Canalside matters..especially regarding British Waterways and the initiatives coming from Ken Livingstone empire.Regarding the Kew Bridge Site..lets hope that the few who did get involved..have some success.

Jim Lawes ● 7428d