Travellers Occupy Chiswick Roundabout Site

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Group believed to have moved on from Brentford High Street development

A group of travellers have occupied the site of the former BT Exchange building near Chiswick Roundabout.

They arrived on Saturday (5 March) and are believed to be the same group that earlier in the week vacated the Ballymore development site on Brentford High Street. In all 20 vans and caravans took up residence on that site for over two days.

They originally posted a notice saying that their occupation of the site was legal but left on Tuesday night just before the Council were due to post a notice to quit within 24 hours. It is also believed this may be the same group that were moved on from the Lionel Road development site in February.

Police have advised the public not to approach the site and report any instances of anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council said: “Hounslow Council’s Enforcement team along with the police, are discussing this matter with the land owner to ensure the necessary steps are taken so that the matter is resolved.”

The former BT Telephone exchange at Wheatstone House is to become a mixed-use residential and commercial development.

Permission has been granted to Telereal Trillium to demolish the building and construct 95 residential units with parking, and nearly 5,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace.

Artist's impression of the development courtesy of Telereal

Situated between Chiswick roundabout and Kew Bridge the site has been unused since it was vacated by BT in 2009.

The scheme will provide a mix of 1,2 and 3-bedroom units and a provision of affordable housing will be included. The developers said the design would seek to "enhance the visual amenity of the area and create a stronger visual statement on Chiswick High Road."

March 7, 2016