Forum Topic

Dock Rd Boat Repair Yard

I had an emeil from someone, today, to say that a board has gone up at the yard in Dock Rd to say it's up for sale. Is this the case and is it the end of another long established Brentford yard.

Neil Chippendale ● 6495d8 Comments

Putting the boatyard situation into perspective as to assured longevity - this 13 remaining years for the major portion of the site, (in which MSO are only short term sub-tenants), falls between the 20 odd years remaining on the lock-side grids (formerly SPL), and the latest lease Duncan referred to, which is only 10 years. That last figure indicates the fullest extent  of British Waterways' long-term commitment to keeping the site for boatyard use.

Nigel Moore ● 6386d

Status of the island is largely a protected nature site, with  the surviving boatyard facilities having the only approved planning use.So far as Neil's first query is concerned, the site, though owned unfortunately by British Waterways, is subject to a lease held by a property company. They have evidently given up on the site as a profitable asset (their idea had been to build flats above the boatyards !?), so have now marketed the remaining years on the lease.Details below:-

Nigel Moore ● 6386d

----------------------------------------------------------DuncanOne smiled at some of the sights on the Johnson's Island Art Gallery website:http://brentfordgallery.co.uk/index.htmland chuckled at the "New Ore House"? Those dainty new buildings are a delight. Something different and with charm..thank goodness.It is of concern though that there are more areas of Brentford High South being boarded up...even that Coach Depot in Catherine Wheel Road..near Brunel's old bridge ..has been vacated.That old Victorian Front door in Boars Head Yard has been board up too..I believe..and the Motor Engineers there have been given notice to move out too.How can Marcus be helped?

Jim Lawes ● 6472d

hi sarah. have seen your email and share your concerns.if you have managed to find out if this structure does constitute some form of residential benfit to interested parties.The reason is after the bizzarre eviction of the workshops and boatyards (IE Brentford marine services etc)i as a boatperson who occupys land at present am very concerned about my future .sincerely m.

Markus Mason ● 6489d

I don't know the status of the Island but would a residential bungalow formally establish the Island as being a residential area - and therefore freeing it up for full development after a period of time?  A tower block for instance?:-(

Sarah Felstead ● 6493d

You get to Johnson's Island from the High Street by going down Catherine Wheel Road, past the Brewery Tap pub and there is a footbridge on your left onto the island, which is next to the canal. This footbridge leads to the Thames Lock, there is a staircase up to Dock Road, which is where I took the photos.There is an art studio The Brentford Gallery http://brentfordgallery.co.uk/index.html which is planning to open to the public sometime.I also found this article on the British Waterways site, referring to the new lease for MSO Marine Services for the use of dry dock facilities on Johnson's Island:http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/newsroom/stories/Protecting_Londons_Canal_Boatyards.html"Protecting London's Canal Boatyards23 April 2007British Waterways has today (23 April 2007) published a study into the facilities and condition of boatyards on the 100 miles of canals and rivers in its care in London . The independent report by Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd (AHC) complements similar work carried out on the River Thames and provides an invaluable record of the current condition and availability of boatyard facilities on London 's waterways."Boatyards are an essential part of the inland waterways' infrastructure," explains Ian Runeckles, London Planning Manager for British Waterways. "They provide a living, working link between the canals' historic and modern day use and are vital for supporting the growth in boating. The boatyards on our canals and rivers in London offer a broad range of facilities, from simple re-fuelling stops and slipways to full boat building services. AHC have provided us with an excellent audit of existing facilities and a useful planning guide for local planning authorities and the GLA."Of the 16 sites surveyed, 14 were assessed to have facilities recommended for protection. AHC also identified that further capacity is planned for the network, such as at Brentford, where British Waterways has recently provided a new lease to MSO Marine Services for the use of dry dock facilities on Johnson's Island . The deal significantly increases the capacity of MSO Marine Services, bringing an historic boatyard facility back into working order, and further cementing the importance of this Thames and Grand Union Canal location for boat repair and building."

Duncan Walker ● 6493d

Where is Johnson Island,  I am ashamed to say I have lived in Brentford for more than 10 years and do not know these places.

Philomena Tully ● 6493d

Neil,I walked past the MSO boatyard today and there is a For Sale/Hire sign outside with Shaw Corporation, Chartered Surveyors (http://www.shawcorporation.com/index.htm ):I can't understand this because, I thought that they had recently been given an extended lease by British Waterways. And their business has been increasing by the look of all the boats in their yards, here St Paul's church spire in the background:A boat in their dry dock:a well stocked yard with plenty of people working, view from Dock Road:This is a new building going up on Johnson Island, maybe that is being advertise for hire?:

Duncan Walker ● 6493d