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Bit of news about the St George development by Kew Bridge..

The following text is from a leaflet currently being given out by members of Hounslows local community in advance of a planning application that will be put to Hounslow Council on behalf of the property developer St George on Wednesday 25th November. This is your chance if you want to save the land (and Kew Bridge Eco Village)..Does Brentford really need more luxury housing?Property developer St George will shortly be seeking planning permission for a nine-storey, 169-flat development with an underground car park.The proposed project will be sited:- next to Kew Bridge and the River Thames- near to Kew Gardens, a World Heritage Site- and it will also overshadow Strand on the Green, an area of local natural beautyLocal residents and amenity groups have pointed out that St George’s proposal shows no respect for the river and its environment, and will:- blot out the light and views of locals on the Green Dragon Lane housing co-operative- create increased pollution, traffic congestion and parking problems- destroy the natural habitat of the wild flowers and animals, including foxes and rare spiders- disturb a site of archaeological interest, as people have lived on the site since Neolithic timesIf you feel strongly about this proposed development, you can make a real difference by contacting your local councillor about it:Ruth Cadbury – 020 8583 6401 or ruth.cadbury@hounslow.gov.ukAndrew Dakers – 07788 116 159 or andrew.dakers@blueyonder.co.ukMatthew Harmer – 020 8560 7033 or matt.harmer@hounslow.gov.ukYou can also come and show your feelings, air your opinions or express your opposition at a public assembly outside the Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow on Wednesday 25th November 2009 at 7pm, followed by the council planning meeting at 7.30pm.Should you need further information, please contact: stopstgeorge@googlemail.com

Stephanie Kitsune ● 6010d19 Comments

Are those the Planning Policy Statements that state:"16. Matters to consider when assessing design quality include the extent to which the proposeddevelopment:– Is easily accessible ...– Provides, or enables good access to, community and green and open amenity andrecreational space (including play space) as well as private outdoor space such asresidential gardens, patios and balconies.– Is well integrated with, and complements, the neighbouring buildings and the local areamore generally in terms of scale, density, layout and access.– Facilitates the efficient use of resources, during construction and in use, and seeks toadapt to and reduce the impact of, and on, climate change.– Takes a design-led approach to the provision of car-parking space, that is well-integratedwith a high quality public realm and streets that are pedestrian, cycle and vehicle friendly.– Creates, or enhances, a distinctive character that relates well to the surroundings andsupports a sense of local pride and civic identity.– Provides for the retention or re-establishment of the biodiversity within residentialenvironments.17. Particularly where family housing is proposed, it will be important to ensure that the needsof children are taken into account and that there is good provision of recreational areas,including private gardens, play areas and informal play space. These should be welldesigned,safe, secure and stimulating areas with safe pedestrian access"(Extracts from PPS3: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/planningpolicystatement3.pdf)and"– deliver safe, healthy and attractive places to live; and,– support the promotion of health and well being by making provision for physical activity""Protection and Enhancement of the Environment17. The Government is committed to protecting and enhancing the quality of the natural andhistoric environment, in both rural and urban areas. Planning policies should seek toprotect and enhance the quality, character and amenity value of the countryside and urbanareas as a whole. A high level of protection should be given to most valued townscapes andlandscapes, wildlife habitats and natural resources. Those with national and internationaldesignations should receive the highest level of protection.18. The condition of our surroundings has a direct impact on the quality of life and theconservation and improvement of the natural and built environment brings social andeconomic benefit for local communities. Planning should seek to maintain and improvethe local environment and help to mitigate the effects of declining environmental qualitythrough positive policies on issues such as design, conservation and the provision ofpublic space."(Extracts from: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/planningpolicystatement1.pdf)?Perhaps we read PPS1 and PPS3 differently.

Jan Jones ● 6007d

Phillip - I know there is a big drain on the site that was cleared out when the first lot of residents moved in back in June because it was blocked up with leaves and rubbish (the cover had been left off) and full of stagnant water. The cover was put back on after and it seemed to stay clean and smell-free through the summer, but it wouldn't surprise me if the heavy rainfall combined with all the grot that's been dumped in the river over the last few months means that it's all backed up again. I'll give somebody on site a call and see if they can open it up and have a look.Adam - St George build luxury apartments incorporating leisure complexes by their own definition, it's not affordable housing for your 'average joe'. For example, a 2 bedroom apartment where I used to work in their Charter Quay development in Kingston would set you back about half a million. Those apartments are about 7 years old now and the Kew Bridge ones would probably cost more in the regions of 650k for a 2 bedroom flat.From the feedback I've had in talking to people who live around the site is that they'd much rather see it as either a nice community garden with allotments and a playground, or  if it is to be developed into housing, then into something a lot more aesthetically similar to the Green Dragon Lane buildings so as not to completely overshadow everything surrounding them. But if you'd prefer a big commercial complex then you should definitely go along to the meeting, pretty much everyone there is against the planning applications that St George have made so they'd probably be grateful for any support they can get! Plus it's always good to get representation from all viewpoints, however much of a minority they might be.

Stephanie Kitsune ● 6010d