Forum Topic

Redevelopment of Brentford High Street

I have come late to this debate having lived away from the area for many years.  However, the plans to redevelop Brentford fill me with horror for the most part.  I grew up in Brentford in the 1950's and 60's, and generations of my family did before me,and I am still stunned that so much original architecture such as 18th century wooden bow fronts on the High Street and the bay windows of the old pawnbrokers further up have already long gone.  Brentford is a place of huge historical associations and in many ways unique.   I feel that any redevelopment such retain original features and not destroy them as is happening in Acton where I now live.

Catherine McDonnell ● 4718d15 Comments

There are proposals to redevelop Chiswick High Road North of Turnham Green and Christ Church including the Sainsbury's site which are cause for considerable concern. See www.chiswickw4.com Forum.There will be a meeting at Christ Church at 8pm on Thursday 4th October to discuss.

David Giles ● 4696d

Catherine,The old cinema we were discussing was in Acton on the site of the architecturally challenged Morrisson's supermarket.

Keith Iddon ● 4697d

KEITH, just saw your post about a lovely old cinema.  Was this in Brentford or Acton?  I would be very interested to know as if it was in Brentford even I (63) am too young to remember it!

Catherine McDonnell ● 4697d

Hi,Sorry I've been so long in getting back to you. Have had a lot going on and have only just seen your post.  In Acton the old Community Centre, originally a primary school and built, I think in about 1870, has now been demolished (as far as I can see behind the hoarding there is nothing but empty space there now). It was a really lovely, elegant old building. Similarly, we have now been told that the community swimming baths will be demolished and at least part of the adjoining red brick structure. I was originally told by the staff of both these establishments, plus a door to door Labour Party canvasser last year,  not to mention various leaflets from Ealing Council,that these were listed buildings and only INTERNAL changes would be made and that the Community Centre was going to be re-opened as a new school in the existing structure. I am horrified by this wanton destruction of what are some of Acton's only beautiful buildings - the other being the old church in the market place in King Street and obviously the Goldsmiths Almshouses by Acton Park.  But I wouldn't fancy their chances of surviving if Ealing Council goes on the way it is doing.  Acton is virtually the only west London "town" which is practically unrecognisable in those "Such and such place as it was" type books. It seems to be a mantra with Ealing council, if something is half-way beautiful in Acton - bulldoze it!

Catherine McDonnell ● 4697d

Olympic Torch Relay "touchline" Penny.

Jim Lawes ● 4714d

.........sorry if this has been asked/answered before but what are the blue lines in the road along some of the High Street?

Penny Crocker ● 4715d

A lot of Acton was in a terrible state of decay with subsidence in the hill ridge that runs from Hangar Hill to Wormholt a bit of a problem.Also a lot of industrial buildings were simply too crowded in to do much with.But both Ealing and Hounslow have not shown much ability in overseeing a good all round development project in decades. Hounslow is probably the worst having nothing of note that is either a good design or successful project.Ealing was a bit better in that it has protected it's heritage and character and the Ealing Broadway Centre way better than what developers and officers wanted to push through. The then administrations did well to resist allcomers to what might have been. But it has not fared so well with Acton, Greenford and Southall. I really do struggle to think what Hounslow has achieved apart from spectacular gaffs apart from schools where they have some reasonable achievements.Brentford is scarred by planners, politicians and developers and the real issue now is to ensure that they do no more damage.I can't say from what I have seen that there is much hope as everything is much the same as before...disasterous.

Michael Brandt ● 4715d

Point taken Keith but that was 30 plus years ago. I thought Catherine was talking about the recent past..... Closer to home I think the Firestone building, demoloshed over the weekend before spot listing due on the Monday was a greater loss......

Iain Muir ● 4715d

Iain,Many people thought it was worth saving,hence the preservation order and the £250,000 fine levied when it was knocked down illegally.What replaced it certainly has no merit architecturally.

Keith Iddon ● 4716d

Many apologies to all, esp Jim. I meant to say LBE, re Morrisons in Acton. Though come to think of it Morrisons in Brentford might be a contender.........

Iain Muir ● 4716d

"LBH have spoken about redeveloping the Morrisons site with housing above and presumably the car park built over. Which would be interesting...."What a dreadful thought and idea!Walking up cobbled Dock Road there should a 100% vista of the St Pauls Church ahead... and it's steeple of course. Instead one sees the bland wall of a Supermarket.Where's the VISION locally?I like the front page report on the behind the scenes work being done by many Groups.  Regarding the "lanes" or "yards"leading off from the High Street southwards...these were ideas initiated by Forumer Nigel Moore..based on what he saw in Perth Australia.

Jim Lawes ● 4716d

Jim, many thanks for the smartpix pics, I have not seen these before and they are great. Esp like the last one of Savoy Circus before the Savoy was built! When we bought a house in Old Oak Rd in 1983 from a lady who had bought it from the builder in 1926 there was a scale model of Savoy Circus in the loft, sadly binned....But to return to my question these pics are mainly from a long time ago. Recent changes are the Tram Depot site and some new builds on/close the High Street, like the one that cost the George its live music. The proposed Oaks development could be a plus....Away from the high street there have been small redevelopments, some good, some bad but if they produce more housing, that is a plus!Keith, I shopped in that B&Q......Doubt it was worth saving..... LBH have spoken about redeveloping the Morrisons site with housing above and presumably the car park built over. Which would be interesting....

Iain Muir ● 4716d

There is the lovely old cinema that became a carpet wholesaler /  b&q and was then scandalously knocked down,despite having a preservation order on it, by Safeway supermarket chain.

Keith Iddon ● 4716d

Changes in Acton over the years?View "Smartsetpix's" series of pictures. They should be of interest.http://www.flickr.com/photos/49428126@N00/sets/72157629285810089/show/

Jim Lawes ● 4716d

Catherine, out of interest what original features have/are being destroyed in Acton?

Iain Muir ● 4717d