Chiswick Titans Depart and a Demoralising Planning Decision

Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Ron Mushiso reports back

Cllr Ron Mushiso

August 10, 2025

Back From South Africa — And straight into another planning mess

I’ve just returned from a two-week rugby tour in South Africa. Rugby is more than a sport there—it’s a matter of national pride. But even as a coach and fan, I couldn’t do rugby 24/7. Sport, though, has a way of opening doors. It let me see a side of South Africa beyond the postcard views: the divisions that still linger—white, coloured (the term used in South Africa) and black communities still largely living apart, and the townships, under-resourced and hidden from the tourist trail.

Yet despite the inequality, the country is filled with hope. I left with the feeling that Nelson Mandela’s vision of a “rainbow nation” might still be realised.

Sports diplomacy?

Back in Chiswick, I needed a break from rugby. So, I took my godson Rory to Duke’s Meadows for his first go at the driving range. He’s never swung a golf club before, but his hand-eye coordination was astonishing. We usually bond through rugby, so this was something new. Maybe next time I’ll invite the Labour Leader of the Council for nine holes—sports diplomacy, perhaps, might convince his administration to stop treating Chiswick like a backwater.

Two Chiswick Titans bow out

May 2026 will mark the end of an era in Chiswick politics, as Cllr John Todd and Cllr Gerald McGregor both step down from the council.

I met John in 2006, when I had just joined the Conservative Party after a US internship and was preparing to stand in my first local election. John has supported and encouraged me ever since. Constituents, neighbour, friends and readers of ChiswickW4 will know that John doesn’t seek the limelight, but when he speaks, people listen. Calm, meticulous, and forensic in detail, he asks the right questions and never misses a trick. His two decades of service have set a gold standard. I’ve tried in vain to follow his example—and I know I still fall short.

Gerald McGregor is John’s opposite in many ways. Where John is measured, Gerald is instinctive, theatrical even. He’s full of stories from his business dealings across Africa and the Indian subcontinent, to the stories about some of his casework where he is defending a constituent’s position like a trial lawyer in the courtroom; Gerald brings colour and character to the council and on the debating floor in the chamber. He and I briefly served together as Leader and Deputy of the Conservative Group during the pandemic, and what I valued most was his openness to debate. Gerald is an old-school public servant: a statesman, a storyteller—and the original “Chiswick Champion.”

Another planning mess

This past week, I sat through one of the most demoralising planning meetings I can remember. Labour councillors voted to approve a 10-storey development at 1 Burlington Lane, right in the heart of historic Chiswick, despite objections from residents, Historic England, a resident across the river in Richmond, and even our MP.

Over the planning period, the proposed height has crept up—from 21m to 25m to now 35m. Each time, the council claims it’s “progress.” But at what cost? The protected view of St Nicholas Church—a centrepiece of Old Chiswick—will now be lost. Historic England described the level of harm as “high.” The formal objection from Richmond was left out of the officer’s report entirely until a last-minute scramble forced it to be read aloud.

Yes, the scheme includes 13 affordable homes out of 132 units (Less than 10% affordable housing is well short of London Mayor’s own policy on developments of this scale). But it also causes disproportionate harm to heritage, sightlines, and community character. The previous, approved scheme caused far less heritage harm at 25m. Why the sudden about-turn?

Cllr John Todd picked up on this and spoke with characteristic authority, drawing attention to the hundreds of objections, the ignored protections, and the growing sense that residents’ voices are being sidelined. The objectors’ barrister, Russell Harris KC, argued convincingly that the new scheme delivers more harm for less benefit. But it all fell on deaf ears.

There was unease in the room, with some residents expressing concern that the outcome might already be decided. At one point, the legal adviser reminded Labour councillors of the important distinction between “predisposition” and “predetermination,” following public frustration that genuine concerns were not being fully addressed. To many watching, the process came across as overly procedural, with the questioning of applicants and objectors appearing more limited than expected.

Cllr Peter Thompson warned of this last week in his blog: “The council appears to favour height over heritage, and density over design… Planning should be about place, not just numbers on a spreadsheet.” On Thursday last week, he was proved right.

This is not just about one building. It’s a pattern. A culture. One where developer interests are prioritised over community values, and where local knowledge and even statutory protections are swept aside.

Gunnersbury Park Events

At the same meeting, councillors approved a proposal for a three-day music festival in Gunnersbury Park—but that’s a misleading description. What’s actually been approved is a 19-day occupation of public parkland, including fencing off over seven hectares of green space for staging, food stalls, toilets, and offices.

Construction begins on 1st September. The event runs 13–15 September. Clear-up finishes 19th September. That’s nearly three weeks of disruption.

Cllr Joanna Biddolph rightly ‘Called In’ the application, reflecting widespread resident frustration. The recent Krankbrother event generated hundreds of complaints about noise, drug-taking, litter, and restricted access—so much so that the Chiswick Area Forum had to rewrite its agenda to address the fallout.

Residents feel they’re being treated as an afterthought while the park becomes a commercial entertainment zone. Yes, events generate income. Yes, the park needs funding. But it shouldn’t come at the expense of transparency, antisocial behaviour or prolonged restriction to public access. The Gunnersbury Park CIC, which manages the site, must do better.

How to clean up Planning

This is the problem with one-party rule. Labour may claim their councillors are represent all residents, but this is not the case. Meanwhile, residents are left out of the process. If I were chairing the planning process, things would be different. Residents’ views would be front and centre in our deliberations. I would avoid appointing senior cabinet members or party whips to the committee, as it’s important to maintain public confidence that all members come to the hearing with an open mind.

But until we have a more balanced council, expect more of the same from a Labour run Hounslow.

Cllr Ron Mushiso

ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk

07976 702887

DEMOCRACY: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2025

Monday 13 October: Chiswick Area Forum - Normally at Hogarth Hall, Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, Turnham, W4 4JN, but moveable around Chiswick (please check the website). Meetings are open from 6.30pm allowing residents to meet officers of Hounslow Council in Adult and Child care Social Welfare, Education, Housing and Services

Council Meetings - Borough Council

• Tuesday 16 September 7.30pm
• Tuesday 25 November  7:30 pm

There is public access for these meetings via a direct lift from the ground floor to the Council Meeting Room

6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB

Council Meetings – Overview and Scrutiny Committee

• Monday 18 September 2025 7.00pm

6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB

Council Meetings – Audit and Governance Committee

• Tuesday 4 November 7:00 pm

6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB

Anyone can attend public meetings of the council. Most meetings take place on the 6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, TW3 3EB. Hounslow House is fully accessible. The nearest tube is Hounslow Central which does not have step-free access. Parking in local roads is limited.

Emergencies

You can report emergencies outside office hours by ringing the council on: 020 8583 2222.

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES

Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the seven Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).

Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery). 

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS

Chiswick Gunnersbury ward

Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446

Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887

Chiswick Homefields ward

Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017

Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821

Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651

Chiswick Riverside ward

Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823

Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810  

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