Forum Topic

Kew Bridge Planning Consultation

Regarding the consultation for this site held last Friday and Saturday:Personally I found the Planning Brief as laid down by St George of 8 stories PLUS penthouse somewhat strange given the recent rejection of the planning application and subsequent appeal. I do realise it was not rejected on height alone.I also found the main speaker from John Thompson & Partners to be slightly dismissive of some ideas even though they asked the audience to start from a blank sheet of paper. Examples not taken seriously included:- access to/from the site from the neighbouring Thameside Centre (I used to work in the centre - it's not the busiest roadway in the world)- use of funds for sculptures etc could be used in part to return the Water Fountain to the site.How were other experiences?BTW I noted one more recent development in Brentford - Holland Gardens - noted as "Gives me the creeps". If the author vists this forum could they please explain.

Stephen Browne ● 6902d6 Comments

I have read the comments about the fountain with interest, and remember the lengthy arguments from a number of years back when then Councillor Brian Price was leading a campaign to have the fountain returned to Brentford.The key argument that persuaded people at that time that the fountain should remain at the Western International Market was that the plinth incorporates a war memorial to market workers who were killed in the First World War. The market traders were of the view that the memorial should be located at the market, the successor to the old Brentford Market.I must confess that I don't know whether the fountain is the property of the market or of the council.

John Connelly ● 6891d

Good attendence last night at the Report Back session - estimate 50+ inclusive of at least 4 councillors. Nice to see the community at large getting involved.Well done Nigel Moore for getting John Thompson et al onto the water for those important views of the site.Lots of ideas and information out of the two-day workshops and three more interractive sessions planned. Maybe the developers are getting the point now - thay can't just wade in and get whatever they like. Nonetheless they still appear to be a little selectively blind and deaf on some items.But, a positive and much more constructive way forward.

Stephen Browne ● 6891d

I have had a brief conversation with Matt regarding bringing the fountain "home" and perhaps working together in some way to do this.Cllr Lee has also expressed an interest on the ChiswickW4 forum so this could even be a case of Labour,the Conservatives,and the ICG all on the same mission together!!As Matt has said though,the main obstacle appears to be that the Western International Market arent to keen on returning it and I think I even read in some draft planning applications for the next Area Committee Meeting that they intend moving it to another position in the market.

Paul Fisher ● 6901d

I think we should have a campaign to bring back water fountains (- and how about reinstating the old mile stones?) ... the least Thames Water could do for people surrounding Mogden (through Richmond and Twickenham too) is run some fountains.

Sarah Felstead ● 6901d

The return of the water fountain would be fantastic. This was an important historical landmark in Brentford.Its present location places it completly out of context. I'm sure many residents old and new would suppport this.

Neil Chippendale ● 6901d

StephenThe latest situation I've heard on the Fountain is that Western International Market, who now own the fountain, aren't keen to give it back. However I think it's an idea worth pursuing so we'll see.I think that we won't know the value of the consultation until a)the report back on July 2o and b)when the first plans come out. I couldn't make it on Saturday but on Friday there were some interesting ideas floating around.

Matt Harmer ● 6901d