Anger in Chiswick Village as Work Starts on Penthouses

Opponents say decade old plan may no longer comply with regulations

Some residents say they were not warned about the scaffolding

October 11, 2025

The commencement of work at the Chiswick Village estate on plans which were first submitted over a decade ago has caused disquiet and anger among the residents of the 280 flats.

Developer, South Quay Commercial Ltd, submitted multiple planning applications to add fifteen two-bedroom penthouse flats—one atop each of the 15 residential blocks at Chiswick Village. These were initially rejected by Hounslow Council due to concerns about overdevelopment, loss of open space, and inadequate parking.

In 2015, the Planning Inspectorate overturned the council’s refusal on appeal granting permission for the rooftop flats and the demolition and rebuild of garages to provide 19 secure parking spaces. The inspector considered the impact on character, conservation areas, residents’ privacy, and highway safety, ultimately concluding that the scheme was acceptable.

The airspace above the blocks was sold to the developer in 1997. Legal challenges by residents concluded in 2018, confirming the developer’s right to build, though Chiswick Village Residents Ltd (CVRL) retains responsibility for managing the estate and future service charges for the new units.

The planning application did not lapse, despite the amount of time since it was granted as preliminary work has taken place at the site although it has been suggested by people living on the estate that this was superficial work carried out with the sole intention of keeping the permission.

Many residents have opposed the scheme for years, citing concerns over disruption, safety, and the impact on the estate’s character. The project has been described as “another Grenfell tragedy waiting to happen” by local councillor Gabriella Giles, who highlighted the anxiety caused by unclear communication and the implications of new fire safety laws.

It is understood that there is no intention to include a second core or a sprinkler system which are required by new regulations for taller buildings.

Work is expected to take place block by block and take at least two years to complete.

Cllr Gabriella Giles (centre) in Chiswick Village

Residents are particularly alarmed that the new penthouses may push some blocks into the “higher-risk” category under the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Higher-Risk Buildings Regulations 2023. These laws apply to buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys, and the addition of a storey could, it is argued, trigger stricter compliance requirements.

A September 2025 report by Pi Consult, commissioned by CVRL, found that the developer’s mechanical and electrical plans were incomplete and lacked key safety systems such as mechanical smoke ventilation and backup power. These omissions could make compliance prohibitively expensive for the estate.

Scaffolding was erected on 11 September with little notice, sparking frustration among residents who felt blindsided. Many were unaware of the construction timeline and expressed concern about noise, disruption, and the potential financial burden if the project stalls or fails to meet regulations.

The management company’s Annual General Meeting is due to take place this Thursday (16 October).

The UK registered South Quay Commercial Ltd was dissolved in 2023 and the development is being undertaken by London Penthouse. We asked the company to respond to residents’ concerns and particularly on the points about building regulations, but have yet to receive a response to these questions.