Forum Topic

For all who care about Brentford

I had an email today which I've pasted below.It concerns the future of Brentford and has some rather alarming aspects. The idea of more tower blocks amidst the low rise victorian houses and a Croydon like series of development opportunities leaves me cold, but that's what some of the aspects of this proposal/consultation could well lead to.Anyone who cares about the town we live in should take the time and read this stuff and answer in the questions.Copied below is an email which WRAG sent to its contact list earlier this afternoon.  Some of you may have already received it. Also attached are copies of the consultation version of the Local Plan and the PDF version of the questionnaire.  I do hope this doesn’t overload you inboxes. I hope the email below and the attachments are of some help.  Please don’t hesitate to email us if you have any questions. : As we explained last Saturday, the proposed “area of growth and regeneration” zone would enable developers to argue that they could build taller and more densely on key regeneration sites within the area than they would otherwise be allowed to.  A possible example could be the car park and car dealership on the former sidings site between Layton Road and the railway line.  Other sites could be the container storage between Orchard Road and the Station, and either side of Boston Manor Road between the railway and the A4. We really do hope that the low rise residential roads can be removed from the growth area and its boundaries reduced to just those employment sites which front directly onto the Great West Road. Please feel free to forward this email and attachments your contacts, as it’s vital that as large a number of residents as possible respond to the Council about the proposed Great West Road growth corridor and the proposals for the Reynard Mills site.  Just short submissions on these two issues would be an immense help. There will be a short briefing to councillors about the Local Plan consultation at next Thursday evening’s Isleworth and Brentford Area Forum at the Brentford Free Church near the Library.  The meeting is open to the public.  The following links might be useful: Agenda:  http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=576&MId=7783&Ver=4 Local Plan Presentation:  http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=81819

Michael Brandt ● 4674d17 Comments

I know that a Singaporian company owned or maybe still owns the land behind the free car park.

Keith Iddon ● 4667d

It's nothing new It's been going on for quite a while.In fact the flats are marketed in Singapore, The Middle east and Far East as launch investments and the buyers get the best flats at a huge discount compared to the market price in the UK.It's not just Brentford this is going on in. Almost all the flats in the skyscraper developments to be built in Vauxhall have been sold the same way.Many of these are lived in for just a few weeks a year and are intended as investments.The other end of the scale is also a bit wonky. Many priority occupations who get mortgage and purchase assistance, like Police, Nurses etc , have bought flats (one of the clauses like the latest govt purchase scheme is that it has to be a new build which has played straight into the hands of developers and agents) and subsequently rented them to local authorities who pay top rents and return the properties in as new condition.  There are a lot of authorities sub letting in Brentford and surprisingly not very many are LB Hounslow. Probably too close for comfort.Everyones on the make except those who are working all hours earning reasonable incomes and have no hope of ever owning a home or even renting one without it eating more than 60% of an above average London income.Radical changes are needed and fast.

Michael Brandt ● 4667d

What was said?

Karen Adams ● 4667d

As far as I know that is the case.

Keith Iddon ● 4667d

Are you saying that you believe that in Brentford the flats are being bought by foreign owners with no intention of ever putting tenants in or living there?

Chris Broadbent ● 4667d

The flats were and are being built for people to live in are they not? Not as pension funds for foreign investors who don't want the agro of having tenants.It is also easier for them to buy as the are no doubt cash buyers.

Keith Iddon ● 4667d

Keith buying property through foreign corporations was mainly used as a way of avoiding stamp duty (a loophole that has now been closed. I don't think that many foreign investors buy with a view to the property remaining empty (why would you turn down not insignificant investment yields) and in fact when I lived in Hong Kong lots of the developments (including Kew Bridge) were actually launched first there and much play was placed on the investment yields. I also think we need to be careful not to run too conflicting arguments - we can't argue that the luxury developments are empty and at the same time oppose them because the residents will place too much of a burden on local amenities.

Simon Morris ● 4668d

And to rub salt in the wound for the new developments - the council tax ratings are usually higher for the flats than for the existing / older houses in the area. So a 3 bed flat will have a higher banding than a 4 bed house. Even though on many developments the flats pay for their street lighting & cleaning on the unadopted roads on the development, and have simpler / quicker refuse collection - thus actually requiring less from the council. So there is real case for pushing Hounslow to re-invest more of this CT money into Brentford. The only question is how - mass withholding of CT payments until they cough up ?

Alan Clark ● 4668d

That's the rub,They want to place as many 'luxury' developments in as possible for exactly that  cynical reason. That they will be much like the rest of Brentfords new luxury developments and they will rake in  CT without having to place any demand on services for as long as possible.And all the funds raised will go to other parts of the borough.I overheard a councillor and a developer talking at a public meeting once and they described Brentford and Chiswick as the "Cash Cow" of the borough. I've been suspicious about their motives ever since.

Michael Brandt ● 4668d

I wonder how many of the desperately needed new homes will be bought by foriegn investors (corporations mostly) as an investmemt and then left empty, as has apparently already happened with many of the new homes built in Brentford. LBH don't seem to mind because they get the CT without the bodies to provide services for. Bearing in mind too that 'affordable' seems to mean about £200k+,how many local people will be able to buy one,if any of the flats are to be labelled 'affordable' that is?

Keith Iddon ● 4668d

Careful Iain, you are assuming Natasha is not an old fogey!As my missus knows her, I'd put a tin helmet on now.Local ironic Humour is not everyones forte.

Anthony Waller ● 4668d

Well spoken, Natasha..............From my relatively recent experience there are a lot of old fogies that post on hereBut they are mainly well meaning, apart from the odd 'dog whistle' racist hint.....I am not aware of the current Reynolds Planning app but might agree with it. London desperately needs more homes and an unloved commercial space seems ideal. It is all about how many new homes, scale and impact on neighbours. Good luck with your campaigns......

Iain Muir ● 4668d

WRAG is the Windmill Road Action Group which was set up in conjunction with the Ealing Fields Residents Association to deal initially with the Reynard Mills Campaign, but also now other community issues that are affecting South Ealing/North Brentford area on the north side of the A4.  Various members of WRAG have been posting on this forum for a couple of years now.And I would like to challenge your statement ending 'other issues that don't involve children' - how do you know what issues I am concerned about/involved in?  How do you know how old I am? and what gives you the idea that I have been indifferent until now?  I have made no inference as to yours or Raymond's age, circumstances or interests as in my opinion it makes no difference nor do I think it has any bearing on these community issues.  Just because someone appears to be a certain age or has certain 'life experiences' doesn't make them any more or less qualified to comment on this forum.  Surely the only reason someone would become interested in a subject is if it has a particular relevance to them - whoever they are and however old they turn out to be. I AM trying to get the word out to anyone (regardless whether they drink Lattes or a mug of tea) who will listen -and those who don't want to, will ignore the post.  This questionnaire affects everyone in Brentford - up to you if you listen.

Natasha Manganaro ● 4668d

So what is WRAG? Never heard of it before?You kind of underlined Raymond's sarcasm.Only interested when the kids get to school or get bitten by a dog in the park but not interested when it comes to local petitions and other issues that don't involve children.I think that's probably the point he is trying to make. As we have 3 children I have to say we have had this all before.Indifference till it's too late.  So well done Natasha and go and round up all those who need a shove from other young types to get them to fill in the form between Lattes and getting Baby Gap vouchers ! ( which was today's subject after the nursery drop off!! )

Michael Brandt ● 4670d

Firstly, I have to say I am quite offended by your 'yummy mummy brigade' comment. Whether you mean to or not, it comes across with such a 'superior' tone that you think that the mums of today have no other interests or capabilities beyond their babies....  You obviously have no idea what Yummy Mummies are capable of - or how many are actually active members of WRAG, school PTAs and other community forums.  Anyway - enough and now to the point I logged in for....Hounslow Council seem to have some very blinkered views on how Brentford should and could be developed and this is the only opportunity for us residents to have a say on what we think and feel about it all.  It is IMPERATIVE that the questionnaire at least should be completed and returned by 26th July so that our thoughts can be considered.  WRAG have put together some very detailed info sheets and while we are not suggesting that you quote these ideas word for word, there are suggestions about elements of the proposed planning considerations that you may not previously have been aware of.  e.g. are residents aware that the Council states that future Griffin Park developments could be for 'Housing or a Primary School', whereas Reynard Mills is '100% housing'?  Our Lady & St John's School is already hemmed in by the university buildings on most sides and adding the possible Reynard Mill tower blocks, it doesn't bear thinking about.The community needs to speak up now - before the next 15 years of planning decisions are made for us.If you would like to have copies of the info sheets or the questionnaire in Word format, please email windmillroadaction@gmail.com and we will get back to you ASAP.Regards, a Yummy Mummy!

Natasha Manganaro ● 4671d

I agree. This is important and it does ot look good for those who live in small victorian houses or come to that any small dwelling. This could be a complete disaster.Being hemmed in by tall buildings will seriously damage to local environment from noise, dirt, health , light even TV reception.The notion of building hi rise on the former goods yard in Layton Road is incredible. as the threat now that Griffin Park could also be revised and cleared for 24 storey towers.Urge anyoen you know to take a look at this and fill in the questions.Especially the yummy mummy brigade who are to wrapped up in the world of babies to be bothered but in a few years when it is too late will be the first to be complaining.

Raymond Havelock ● 4674d

I agree Brentford has enough high rise developments and not enough infra structure to support them.  We desperately need more schools and doctors surgeries.  A wait of over a week to see your GP is surely not acceptable. I will be completing the questionnaire.

Pat Kingham ● 4674d