Locals concerned over Hounslow Council's plans for eleven units in Barrowgate Road

Barrowgate Road

Residents in Barrowgate Road are concerned over a plan to change a building which houses single young mothers and babies into a facility of eleven units for vulnerable young people. The property is beside the late comedian Tommy Cooper's former house which was last year awarded an English Heritage blue plaque.

A letter from Hounslow Council was sent out informing local people of the change at , which has led to what one local described as "a high level of concern" amid fears that it could mean the arrival of residents with drug or criminal convictions to a family neighbourhood. Hounslow Council has sought to reassure the concerns by saying there will be 24-hour supervision.

Some locals have complained that Hounslow Council's letter was "evasive" and that they have not been consulted on the matter. One local said that they were told (on the phone) the young people would need a high level of support.

An information meeting is to be held at Chiswick Town Hall on Tuesday, September 12th from 3-8 pm with representatives of Hounslow Council and the Shepherd's Bush Housing Group on hand to answer questions.

One resident said that the house was originally left to the Diocese in a will which stipulated that it would be used as a facility for charity which would cause 'no detriment' to the neighbourhood. However this could not be confirmed by chiswickw4.com before going to press.

The house was sold several years ago to the Shepherd's Bush Housing Group, which also owns the St Margaret's facility for young people nearby on Sutton Court Road.

One local said: "It's not been a picnic having some of these young women as neighbours- I've heard rows in the street for example. But we are used to this facility being here. I would rather see the single mums here than a mixed group- how do we know who will be living in the house or what sort of supervision there will be, when there are families living in this in area with young children?"

Hounslow Council has said there will be 24-hour supervision. The Council proposes making alterations to the ground floor of the house to provide eleven units for people aged from 16-25. The Look Ahead group has now been appointed to manage the new facility. In effect, the Shepherd's Bush Housing Group will be the landlord of the property it formerly managed. A similar change in management is proposed for St Margaret's home. It is thought the young mothers will be accommodated in a facility in Hounslow.

A robust debate has been taking place on the issue on our forum - Barrowgate Road is a leafy and expensive area of Chiswick .

Hounslow Council say the change has come about as a result of a review of the provision of young people's services in the borough and that the facility at Barrowgate Road was not suitable for mothers and babies because the flats were too small. A similar change is proposed to another facility at Bath Road, Chiswick.

Councillor Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Youth Services, Hounslow Council, said: “Following a review of provision and the need for young people and young parent accommodation in the borough, Hounslow Council’s Joint Commissioning Team working with Children’s Services, identified a need for additional supported accommodation which could better meet the needs of vulnerable young people including those leaving care.

“When assessing buildings, it was identified that 53 Barrowgate Road was not suitable for mothers and babies because of the small size of the studio flats. Therefore, the project team decided to use the building for the support of single young people including those leaving care and another building with larger one bedroom flats for mothers and babies.

“The Council will be holding an information event for residents who live in neighbouring properties on Tuesday 12 September, from 3pm-8pm, at Chiswick Town Hall, W4 4JN.

“Ward councillors have been invited. Officers from the Council’s Joint Commissioning team will be there, along with Look Ahead who will deliver the support for the young people, the architects and representatives from Shepherds Bush Housing to answer questions. The plans are to increase the level and expertise of the support at the site including the provision of 24 hour staffing cover and we have awarded the contract to Look Ahead because they are a specialist organisation in supporting young people and managing any issues that may arise.

Shepherd's Bush Housing Group said in a statement to chiswickw4.com: "We own 53 Barrowgate Road and have managed the supported housing there for many years. As part of the re-tendering of the service, the management contract was awarded to Look Ahead who are highly experienced in delivering excellently managed support for young people. Look Ahead are specialists in delivering supported housing to over 6000 service users per year. The meeting on Tuesday will be a chance for local residents to review plans and meet Hounslow Council, Look Ahead and us."

The Council's letter to residents said that Look Ahead provided support to 1200 young people in 12 local authorities, who were making the transiton to adulthood and independence.

September 9, 2017