Revised Watermans Twin Schemes Get Go Ahead
Councillors approve plans for Albany Riverside and Brentford Police station
A visualisation of the revised Albany Riverside scheme from planning documents
February 6, 2026
Hounslow Council’s Planning Committee has approved the latest redevelopment proposals for the former Brentford Police Station and Albany Riverside sites, giving the long-running project the go-ahead.
The decision, made at Thursday (5 February) night’s committee meeting, allows the developer to proceed with a reworked scheme intended to address concerns raised during earlier planning rounds. The two linked sites, which sit on either side of the High Street have been the subject of multiple applications since the original plans were submitted several years ago.
The newly approved proposals include changes to building heights, massing and architectural treatment, following criticism that earlier versions were too bulky and out of keeping with the surrounding conservation area. The revised scheme reduces some upper-storey elements, adjusts rooflines and introduces more varied materials in an effort to soften the development’s impact on nearby heritage assets.
The Albany Riverside element has also been redesigned to improve its relationship with the river and towpath, with councillors told that the updated plans offer better public realm, improved sightlines and a more coherent streetscape.
The project has been one of Brentford’s most debated developments. Earlier iterations drew strong objections from residents and local groups, who raised concerns about overshadowing, loss of daylight, the scale of the riverside block and the cumulative impact of new developments across Brentford High Street.
A visualisation of the new building on the police station site from planning documents
The scheme was previously approved in 2021, but subsequent amendments and design changes required further committee scrutiny. Thursday night’s approval effectively replaces those earlier permissions with the updated design.
Several residents spoke at the meeting to reiterate concerns about height, density and the impact on neighbouring homes, while others welcomed the improvements made since the original plans. Some argued that the revised scheme still feels too large for the site, while supporters said the redevelopment would bring long-awaited regeneration to a prominent but underused stretch of the High Street.
A visualisation of the new Thames Path promised in front of the former Watermans site from planning documents
Planning officers recommended approval, saying the revised proposals represented a “material improvement” on earlier designs and complied with local and London-wide planning policy.
With permission now granted, the developer can move forward to the detailed design and construction phase, though no timetable has yet been announced.
A CGI of an aerial view of Albany Riverside submitted with the planning application
Construction on both the Albany Riverside and Brentford Police Station sites could begin later this year, with completion possible between late 2027 and mid-2028 depending on contractual arrangements and the appointment of development partners.
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