Planners Urge Approval for Controversial Burlington Lane Scheme
Over 100 objections made including strong opposition from Historic England
A CGI of the scheme as viewed from Old Chiswick Cemetery. Picture: Simpson Haugh Architects
March 2, 2025
Hounslow Council planners are recommending that a controversial scheme next to Hogarth Roundabout be given approval.
The proposal (P/2024/2610) by Burlington Properties London Limited, drawn up by architects Simpson Haugh, is for a development including a 10-storey residential tower block with 132 flats by the junction with Burlington Lane on the former IMG headquarters. The site has been vacant since 2016.
An earlier design for a 13-storey block was withdrawn after negative feedback during consultation but there have also been over 100 objections to this scheme including a robust response from Historic England.
The development would see the demolition of the existing five storey building and the provision of commercial floorspace as well as the residential component. Seven of the units on the lower floors would be offered at a London living rent. 52 of the flats would have one bedroom, 52 would have two bedrooms with 19 3-bedroom apartments and one with 4.
The building would comprise three main elements, ranging from 3 to 10 storeys or 35 metres at its highest point. A 6-storey block would be located closest to Hogarth Roundabout, a 3-storey block at the Palladian Garden frontage and the 10-storey element would fronting onto Burlington Lane near the ramp up to the flyover. A one-storey podium level garden would be at the centre of the site.
128 comments were made about the planning application which was submitted last August nearly all of which were objections. Residents were concerned about the height of the building, the density of the development, the low level of affordable housing, the risk of traffic emerging from the site onto Burlington Lane and the harm to local vistas caused by the height of the building. The building is next to Chiswick House Gardens, close to Old Chiswick Cemetery and the original Georgian part of Chiswick.
Historic England said in its response to the application, “The large scale, bulk and massing of the proposed development would be entirely out of keeping with its historic surroundings, resulting in a considerable amount of harm to multiple heritage designations, including those of the highest significance. Therefore, Historic England strongly objects to these proposals and recommends that more modest forms of development are pursued for this site which would avoid harmful effects to this exceptionally historic part of Hounslow.”
CGI of scheme viewed from Hogarth Roundabout. Picture: SimpsonHaugh Architects
It is understood that the planners, while acknowledging potential harm that might be caused by the buildings, concluded this would be outweighed by the benefit of the extra housing it provides.
CGI of scheme as viewed from Burlington Lane. Picture: Simpson Haugh Architects
Councillors will be asked to vote on the proposal at a meeting of the borough planning committee at a date yet to be scheduled.
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