The three Brentford Councillors on the Committee resigned a few weeks ago so in the end none of the Brentford Councillors voted on the issue - one way or another- which is of vital importance to their constituents. The three Chiswick Councillors voted to reject the scheme.Ealing and Richmond Councils were both consulted. Richmond objected but Ealing did not.The new site will be closer to Chiswick Roundabout, the A4, the M4, Gunnersbury Avenue, Kew Bridge and Chiswick. It will also be closer to Kew Bridge, Gunnersbury and Acton Town Stations. But parking is a huge problem in the area.The fundamental reason why Hounslow Council has agreed to this is that Brentford FC, owned by Matthew Benham, wishes to build a 20,000 seat stadium costing £71 million at Lionel Road. That objective is of course very popular with the supporters of Brentford FC, other football supporters and has been the Trojan Horse that has secured approval of the whole scheme.A football stadium on this site may be a good idea.However in order to fund the building of the stadium, Lionel Road Developments Limited, owned by Mr Matthew Benham, needs to sell part of the site for housing and a hotel. In order to make enough money out of this "enabling development" the planning application has approved the building of 910 apartments, a 160 bed hotel and other properties in a small site adjacent to an already conjested area, overlooking conservation areas, the A4, M4, the North Circular Road, West Chiswick, Strand on the Green, Kew Bridge and Kew Gardens and bordered by 3 electrified railway lines.In order for Lionel Road Developments to make enough money out of the development, Hounslow Council has agreed that there need be no social or affordable housing on the site. In addition, the developers have not been required to fund the badly needed improvements to Gunnersbury Station which is already struggling to cope with the 10,000 workers in nearby Chiswick Business Park as well as other local workers and residents.
David Giles ● 4492d