Lend Lease Discuss The 'Empire House' Scheme

Respond to the criticism of the development

Lend Lease has spoke about its development at Empire House and Essex Place which it intends to have completed by the end of 2016.

In an interview with chiswickw4.com (prior to the issuing of the judicial review pre-action letter), the Project Director, Janet Kidner, said they had worked hard to come up with a development which would work well with the local environment. They believed the density was "appropriate" to the area.

The plan is for the Empire House renovation to start in the summer of 2015 with an expected end date of December 2016 . Work will be carried out in parallel with construction on the corner of Acton Lane, where the affordable housing will be, and which is scheduled for completion by August 2016.

Responding to criticism from local residents' groups about the plan to build an extra two storeys onto Empire house- she said they would be taking the plant off the top of the building which would be increasing the height largely ‘within the frame’. The height increase would be a a slight one and the  balconies will be set back from the High Road.

On the question of what some people viewed as a lack of amenity space, she responded that balconies, the communal roof and the shared open terrace in the Essex Place building were all “usable spaces”.

Another criticism from local groups was of the density of housing. Ms Kidner said; "There are standards laid down relating to density such as proximity to transport and other criteria, and this development is on the ‘lower end’ of the density rating". She said the quota of affordable housing , just over 11%, (which was criticised by the local groups ) had been agreed by a third-party viability study. The company felt the level was "appropriate".

Marketing was being done locally. "So far interest is from UK-based potential buyers and  interest from people locally in Chiswick, is very strong."

Asked about the complaints from Sainsbury's, which operates a 24-hour depot adjacent to where part of the residential development is located ( Essex Place), she said the company believed that Sainsbury's could still continue to operate "unprohibited" by the development. The acoustics would be taken into account in the design of the residential units.

The shopping parade located along the Chiswick High Road would be "a continuation of the High Road" style of coffee shops with awnings and high end boutiques. The development sought to rejuvenate the area, and would be an asset to Chiswick.

In terms of disruption to local people during construction, the Essex place delivery route will remain open, they may close the road at certain times, but the company try to minimise disruption.

Following the issuing of a Judicial Review pre-action letter, Ms Kidner that Lend Lease were aware that Hounslow Council had received a Judicial Review Pre-Action Protocol letter in relation to the planning approval of Lend Lease’s scheme at 408-430 Chiswick High Road.

"As this complaint relates to an alleged matter of the planning process, as opposed to the merits of the scheme itself, the Council as the recipient of the letter will be responding. Lend Lease has followed all correct procedures in relation to the planning process, including around consultation ahead of its final submission."

Aeriel view of the proposed scheme - Lend Lease

A view from Turnham Green - Lend Lease

May 6, 2015