ROGUE tower developments are threatening to overshadow Chiswick's conservation areas, the West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society warned this week, as they urged residents to oppose the latest baffling plans.

The society has warned residents over the impending plans for two tower developments, a five-storey office block on Power Road, at Wing House, and a nine-storey Ford car showroom at 114-115 Power Road, both of which they say will overshadow the Thorney Hedge conservation area.

The development at Wing House, submitted by GVA Grimley, has already been refused planning permission by the council on the grounds that its height would adversely affect the conservation area.

But the developers have decided to appeal, and have submitted a further proposal that would double the floorspace from 6,307 to 13,597 sq ft, much to the bafflement of the society.

Of greater worry to the society, however, are the proposals to erect a nine-storey Ford car showroom, practically on top of the three existing car firms in the area, on the corner of Gunnersbury Avenue and Power Road, which would include 60 two-bedroom flats and 169 one-bedroom flats spread over six floors.

Only 109 parking bays for the 229 residential units are so far included, leading to fears that approving the development could lead to traffic chaos.

While neither is technically within the Thorney Hedge conservation area, both are on the verge and would be clearly visible from it, and are also near to the Gunnersbury Park Garden estate.

President of the West Chiswick and Gunnersbury society, Terry Thorn, told the Times: Both of these developments would be out of context, situated as closely as they are to a conservation area.

Wing House in particular has already been turned down by the council due to its size, so it appears somewhat strange to come up with a development brief that would make it even larger. The council must be consistent.

We will be resisting both of these on grounds of their size and impact on the adjacent conservation areas.''

He did add, however, that the society would not have a problem'' if either developer down-sized their plans to three storeys.

Beryl Cross, a spokesperson for the society, added that: We feel that no building should be higher than three storeys given that this is the size of most nearby buildings.

We would like to see more sustainable housing, and are not objecting on these grounds, but not at this height. We also believe that there is a woeful lack of parking, given the amount of units suggested.''

Neither development has been set a date to go before the Sustainable Development Committee as yet, but residents are being urged to send any objections they have to: Ian Draper, Planning Officer, The Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow TW3 4DN, reference : 00890/c/P22&P23 and 00890/114 & 115/P1.

January 27, 2003 14:30