On a more positive note, considering that Hounslow’s planning department do keep track of this Forum’s comments (particularly Jim’s photos), why not post up your own ideas here, as a more informative extension of responses to the questionnaire on the Brentford Area Action Plan?An idea of my own was to encourage any future redevelopment to try reversing some of the historic vandalism of the ‘50’s, and rebuild south of the High Street respecting the traditional street pattern. Some vestiges of the famous “yards” remain, and even old names survive from the 14thC.For example my boatyard was a wharf for centuries preceding the canalisation of the Brent, known in those days as Pye Wharf, and serving as a river-transport facility for the Inns and Market – I’m convinced Samuel Pepys embarked from here at the rear of Boare’s Head (opposite the 3 Pigeons), on the occasion of his first visit to Brentford.It was the late 18thC when the Brent was canalised by the Grand Junction Canal Co. – leaving the wharf as a connected basin still serving the Market Square and adjoining businesses. I’ve whited out the original course on the map below:During the 19thC Brentford grew exponentially, becoming renowned for its High St shop fronts and the narrow yards that extended from the High St to this wharf and others along the newly canalised Brent. The multitude of differing businesses they serviced was remarkable, and the idea of restoring such yards for live/work units and shopping arcades is appealing. My own yard’s access to the High St (Bradshaw’s Yard), is the only one still extant following the 1950’s redevelopment by the Middlesex County Council, but remnants of Boar’s Head Yard and Plough Yard remain, as do other delightful buildings nearby.The map below shows the original layout with the proposed alterations of the 50’s superimposed. You can see the High St widening and the west to east Brent Way that now cuts across the yards behind County Parade:
Nigel Moore ● 6864d