Forum Topics

New Estate Agent

I asked the men working in what was Naked Grain what the shop was going to be and was told 'estate agent'. That will make seven along the High Street by my count (starting Albany Parade end and including Ballymore's own marketing suite).

Anne England ● 2060d4 Comments ● 2059d

With friends like these......

How sad and disheartening to read of the situation that the Friends of Boston Manor find themselves in, unfortunately it is not an uncommon experience among groups like them. This group of people work their socks off, and have done for years only for the council to sweep in and undo all the hard work and committment. The whole idea is that the council and the Friends groups work together, unfortunately Hounslow seem to be control freaks and think they know best with their grandiose schemes and so-called 'consultations'.If we have learned anything over the last dreadful year, it is that volunteering and working together has been of great benefit to communities all over the country. Our parks and open spaces have come into their own as valuable and valued assets. To see a group of volunteers who have raised a lot of money and thrown themselves into making Boston Manor what it was feeling so let down they feel they have no option other than to walk away is appalling, heads in Hounslow should truly be hanging in shame. And before anyone starts shouting 'Covid' this was the situation for many of us prior to the pandemic. There are many Friends groups around this borough who possibly feel the same at times, dealing with Hounslow is not an easy task. E-mails go unanswered, communication is dire and you are left in limbo.But then looking at our elected members and their performance this week is it really any surprise?

Vanessa Smith ● 2060d0 Comments ● 2060d

Putt in the Park planning application was refused

though you wouldn't think so from the way Gunnersbury Park CIC are advertising it as a done deal! Not only was it refused once but it was about to be refused a second time, had the decision not been deferred so an alternative site for the golf could be explored. Let me make clear again that we understand the need to raise revenue and we are not against Putt in the Park, just not at the cost of destroying a public amenity, the bowling green, that has been enjoyed for nearly a century and should be preserved for future generations to enjoy. But the CIC continues hellbent on its determined mission to kill off bowling in the park and will not listen to the community it's supposed to represent or consider any alternative site for the golf. Surely they can't think that collecting the names of some people interested in Putt in the Park will force Planning to change their decision?

bela cunha ● 2061d1 Comments ● 2060d

Isleworth wildlife

Osama Bin Liner is being visited by his American cousin - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-56266743

Richard Greenhough ● 2061d0 Comments ● 2061d

Local gardener

I'm looking for a good local gardener, someone reliable and who knows about plants. Any recommendations please?

Barbara Lawrence ● 2064d1 Comments ● 2062d

Return of Sunday market

I believe we will have a food only marketin March all being well thanks to Debs and co.

Jean Harrison ● 2067d2 Comments ● 2064d

A Draft Vision for Brentford Town Centre

LB Hounslow is carrying out a public consultation on Draft Visions for the four town centres, including Brentford, in the Borough. This important consultation has received little publicity.This is an extremely important document for the future of our community. We would encourage you to have a look and to respond to the consultation -https://haveyoursay.hounslow.gov.uk/bids-and-funding/town-centres-draft-visions-engagement/Brentford Voice is seeking to organise a virtual community "conversation" about the Draft Vision. We will post further details in due course.

Jim Storrar ● 2068d7 Comments ● 2064d

CIC's values and priorities re bowling in park

A couple of days ago the first application of the year for an alcohol and events licence for Gunnersbury Park dropped though my letter box. Quick off the mark - no slouching there!Meanwhile, as the new bowling season approaches and Covid is deemed a safe sport to engage in, despite the massive and unanimous support for the retention of bowling in the park, the CIC continues totally deaf to their community's outrage and appeals. 'Go away you pesky little people who still believe a park should be for everyone. Go somewhere else if you want to enjoy bowling again, you're not wanted here. Make way for the drinkers and revellers, they are the people we want here.'Interesting values and priorities of a Community Interest Company.

bela cunha ● 2069d3 Comments ● 2069d

FINAL WARNING

FINAL WARNING.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     If anyone is thinking of joining energy switching company Look After My Bills or energy supply company, Utility Point, please look at their reviews on Look After My Bills Problem Reporting Page and Utility Point Owes Me a Refund on Facebook Groups page. There are thousands of people nationwide that have had nightmare experiences with these companies. Both companies will sign you up within seconds on dedicated signing up landlines but when problems arise it is virtually impossible to contact them. Telephone calls are not connected and emails to them don't get answered. There are many warnings on Trustpilot about these two companies as well. Shockingly Utility Point are under investigation by Trustpilot for offering incentives to people to post positive reviews. Look After My Bills are now also under investigation for doing the same.

Neil Milkins ● 2073d5 Comments ● 2069d

Homeless guy under the A4 Flyover: RIP

The Facebook "Brentford Friends" site has reported that the dear "gentleman" has died today (taken away by ambulance they say)He was almost a fixture  under those arches for over 30(?) years.

Jim Lawes ● 2097d14 Comments ● 2069d

Gunnersbury Park Bowls Club

Some may have noticed the item on the front page of TW8 regarding the meeting of Hounslow Planning Committee on 20 January. One item on the agenda that is of particular local interest is the planning application for the change of use and extension of the Bowls Pavilion at Gunnersbury Park to create a cafe/restaurant. The change of use of the bowling green itself to a mini golf facility would not need planning permission but approval of the application for the Bowls Pavilion would almost certainly see an end to bowling in Gunnersbury Park, a sport that has been played there since 1931.It would be good if you could write a short email to the members of the Planning Committee listed in the item on the front page of TW8. Please respond, irrespective of whether you are for or against this proposal.      

Jim Storrar ● 2109d18 Comments ● 2069d

Brentford Dock: gating proposals

This issue will be considered by Hounslow Planning Committee at their meeting tomorrow evening (7 January). The agenda for the meeting is here (see Agenda Item 7).https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=595&MId=11650&Ver=4The Committee will decide whether or not to grant authority to an Article 4 Direction. The effect of this direction would be to remove permitted development rights that would have otherwise allowed the installation of gates to restrict access to the river from the estate and its surrounds.It is possible that not all of the members of the Committee will be aware of the high level of local interest in this matter.  It's not too late to let members of the Committee know of your views, whether for or against, on this proposal. Your email (in your own words and as brief as possible) could have the subject line of "Hounslow Planning Committee 7 January 2020 -Agenda Item 7", and it should be sent to members of the Committee by early afternoon on 7 January.The relevant email addresses are:Michael.Denniss@hounslow.gov.ukrichard.foote@hounslow.gov.ukajmer.grewal@hounslow.gov.ukamrit.mann@hounslow.gov.uksalman.shaheen@hounslow.gov.ukMohammed.Umair@hounslow.gov.uk

Jim Storrar ● 2118d84 Comments ● 2070d

Closing of Chutes

Hounslow has embarked on a roll out plan to close all the chutes in the Borough. Starting with Haverfields and Brentford Towers. They are being replaced with sheds sighted all over. My Major concerns are; These sheds are located outside residents front doors, up against walls grass and shrubs have been cemented over for foundations. I understand they are fire proof for some 30-4o minutes but they are not smoke proof or smell proof. For residents to put the bagged rubbish in they must now carry the bags down in lifts, stairs and walk to the bins. We are plagued by animal and human scavengers already with bins that are operating already. The human ones take any thing from bags. The police can't do anything as the rubbish is in a public place. Now with hundreds of these being placed on estates the thieves  will have a field day . Plus bins being located in the open will encourage flytipping. One last thought Local councillors want to have local children decorate these bins. Please no.Bad enough now without multi coloured sheds.

David Squire ● 2080d11 Comments ● 2071d

Paul Wheeler: Why London’s road wars are tearing Labour apart

Interesting views on LTNs here - particularly that traffic displaced by these schemes impacts more on poorer residents on "main" roads. A failed policy, clearly.https://www.onlondon.co.uk/paul-wheeler-why-londons-road-wars-are-tearing-labour-apart/?fbclid=IwAR2Ei2D_zRKcze1Qs0Z0BVuD2rVqStXnGqneesC5WrolPTBNqIQ7rATJTOs

Graham Thorpe ● 2074d2 Comments ● 2074d

Martins on the High Street (next to food link and Quilliam

HelloWe have heard a few rumours about this old shop is going to be.  Can anyone confirm what exactly it will be?  The London Borough of Hounslow seem to have taken over the lease and have spent £££££££s refurbishing this over many months.Any councillors care to comment on what EXACLTY this will be?ThanksSimon

Simon Groves ● 2075d4 Comments ● 2074d

Birds

So few birds in our gardens now and they need running water to drink.   A small container on the ground with a regular supply of water will do.  So many houses used to have ponds for the wild life but it is rare to have a pond these days, and in this cold weather they will be frozen too.  Our feeders are packed with parakeets, who are messy eaters dropping the food which is picked up by ground feeding birds.  Our squirrel comes with a running mate in the shape of his own magpie who follows him around digging up any food he has just buried.  If we see the magpie, then we know the squirrel is in the garden.Great fun to watch.

Sarah Felstead ● 2082d5 Comments ● 2075d

Fresh attempt to develop Syon Park Allotments

I don't know how many people are aware, but there is another attempt to develop the Park Road allotments opposite Syon Park Gates by the Duke's Northumberland Estates. The proposal is to build 80 duplexes and flats on about two thirds of the allotments that has been green fields for centuries and allotments for over 100 years. This is at a time when allotment demand is increasing. Out of 33 mature trees, 23 will be felled, along with a multitude of fruit trees and bushes.  Great harm will be caused to the habitats of various wildlife.If you would like to submit a comment on this application, its reference on the council website is P/2020/4292 I have submitted an objection thus: Objection to Park Road Development Application The only good thing that can be said about these buildings is that they are not excessively high compared with other applications in the area. However, the very idea of building on this site, with the loss of 23 trees out of 33 and a multitude of trees and bushes over two thirds of the present site should be considered unacceptable per se. The site is Local Open Space, has been designated an Asset of Community Value, and demand for allotments is hugely increasing due to the population increase in London and its concentration in apartment blocks. Figures obtained by the National Allotment Society (NAS): 40 per cent of councils who responded to the survey saw a "significant uplift" in applications during April 2020, with a 300 per cent increase in one case. The NAS also saw a 45 per cent increase in requests for information about allotments through its own website.  In Brentford there are expected to be many more apartments in 5-10 years than exist now, with an extraordinary community dispute growing over access to private areas of Brentford Dock and Brentford Lock. The continuing existence of green space and allotments should mitigate against this unwelcome trend. It is not acceptable for the applicant to provide smaller plots and say that solves the problem.

Ian Speed ● 2102d7 Comments ● 2079d

Anns Cars Boston Manor Road

Does anyone know if Anns Cars are still operating?I went past today & it was an estate agent I think? I looked on Google and it is still listed?? I need a car next week and I found this company & their drivers just perfect!

Sharon Trevor ● 2087d5 Comments ● 2080d

Levelling Up

I really do not understand why on earth the government are not taking the opportunity to ensure that all women MPs are treated equally as far as maternity rights are concerned. If Johnson can rush through legislation for his mate Braverman then he could damned well use the time to make sure that that it includes everyone. It is an absolute insult in this day and age that this out of date codswallop even exists let alone that given the chance parliament won't as they say, 'level up'. This is 2021 not that you'd know it where our legislature is concerned. Stella Creasey is absolutely right it is 'a form of direst discrimination'.At least the stupid old fart heading up the Japanese Olmypics has resigned over his comments - Ye Gods, spare us!  

Vanessa Smith ● 2081d3 Comments ● 2081d

Why?

Hounslow's library service has been shut - apart from a few days - for almost a year. However, Richmond have managed to keep a service going with a 'click and collect' solution. So why can't Hounslow get their act together and follow suit?

Vanessa Smith ● 2082d0 Comments ● 2082d