Controversial Burlington Lane Scheme Back on Agenda

New report rejects proposal for less tall building by Hogarth Roundabout

A CGI of the scheme as viewed from Old Chiswick Cemetery. Picture: Simpson Haugh Architects

July 27, 2025

A decision is set to be made about the controversial proposal to build a ten-storey building by Hogarth Roundabout.

The plan (P/2024/2610), which would see 132 flats constructed on a former office block on Burlington Lane, has met fierce resistance from residents and heritage organisations due to the planned building being widely visible across the most historic part of Chiswick. They were poised to make their views known at the borough planning meeting in May when the item was suddenly withdrawn at the last minute. It is now back on the agenda for the meeting on Thursday 7 August.

The explanation given for the postponement, which it is understood was requested by Burlington Properties London Ltd, was that more time was needed to consider objections that had been submitted.

Since that time two more reports have been added to the council web site relating to the application.

A report by planning consultant Lichfields prepared for Hounslow Council reviews two alternative development options proposed by the Old Chiswick Protection Society (OCPS).

These outline plans were submitted during consultation but have no formal planning status. Both attempt to reduce the visual impact of the building by removing two storeys. The first option suggests taking out levels 8 and 9, resulting in the loss of 23 flats, and the second removes levels 6 and 7, leading to a reduction of 30 flats.

Lichfields concludes that the council should proceed with the original plan by Simpson Haugh Architects as the OCPS suggestions ‘lack comprehensive design analysis’ and approved proposal is design-led and aligns with national and local policy to optimise urban brownfield sites. In addition, it is claimed that they would diminish the building’s ‘prominence and gateway role’ and ‘create weak architectural proportions and lack urban presence’. It is also pointed out that while the alternatives may reduce visual impact on certain heritage assets such as Hogarth House and Chiswick House, they would still be visible from Old Chiswick Cemetery and St. Nicholas Church. The report claims that ‘all authorities agree’ that the heritage impact of the proposed development is “less than substantial.” Lichfields concludes the OCPS options are not credible due to ‘poor design, reduced viability, and diminished public benefit’ and recommends the council dismisses them.

The second report submitted since the last meeting is a revised residential accommodation schedule. The scheme has been criticised for the relatively low proportion of affordable units. The new schedule does not add any more, leaving the proportion at just 9%, but provides extra detail on the number of bedrooms and location. Of the social rent units five will be three bedroom, one four bedroom and one will be one bedroom. All three shared ownership flats will be single bedroom and all of the affordable units will be on the bottom four floors.

CGI of scheme as viewed from Burlington Lane. Picture: Simpson Haugh Architects

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.

The meeting to consider the development is taking place at Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow (TW3 3EB) starting at 7pm and will be live streamed on the council’s YouTube page .

The council’s planning department’s report urges councillors on the committee to approve the scheme. While the harmful visual impact of the building is acknowledged, it is argued that this is outweighed by the benefits of the new housing. The existing five storey block which was formerly the base of IMG has been left vacant since 2016.

Against this there have been objections from over 100 residents, the local MP Andy Slaughter, Historic England and a host of local residents’ groups and community organisations as well as the council’s own conservation officer.

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.”

If approved the scheme would generate a Community Infrastructure Levy which currently would total £6,288,289.96, with £1,202,716.00 for Hounslow Council and £5,085,573.96 for the Mayor of London

Should the councillors on the committee give the go ahead, to the application at a later meeting, it would then be referred to the Mayor of London for a final decision.