The Planning Committee of Hounslow Council met on 7 August 2025, to discuss several planning applications, including a major redevelopment project at 1 Burlington Lane, Chiswick, and temporary use requests for Gunnersbury Park. Councillors approved the Burlington Lane development despite concerns about its impact on heritage assets, and approved the temporary use of Gunnersbury Park for a music event, while also considering applications related to Rivers Academy and a certificate of lawfulness for 10 Almorah Road.

Burlington Lane Redevelopment Approved Despite Heritage Concerns

Councillors voted to approve planning application P/2024/2610 for the demolition and redevelopment of the site at 1 Burlington Lane, Chiswick. The proposal involves constructing a part-6, part-10 storey building with 132 flats, commercial space, car parking, and landscaping.

The decision was made despite concerns raised by Historic England, the GLA, and the Council's conservation team regarding the scheme's impact on nearby heritage assets, including the Old Chiswick Conservation Area (OCCA), St Nicholas Church, and Chiswick House and Gardens. Historic England stated that the development would have a significantly harmful impact on multiple designated buildings and places in this richly historic area, particularly the OCCA, due to its visually dominant background presence.

The council acknowledged the harm to heritage assets but concluded that the public benefits of the proposal outweighed the harm. These benefits included:

• Housing Delivery: Providing 132 new homes.
• Affordable Housing: Including 13 affordable homes (9.8%), split between social rent and shared ownership.
• Public Realm Enhancement: Improving the public realm with landscaping, active frontage, and better pedestrian access.
• Economic Activity: Replacing a vacant building with a mixed-use scheme.

The approval is subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement¹ and a Section 278 agreement². The application will also be referred to the Mayor of London for final approval.

Temporary Music Event Approved for Gunnersbury Park

The committee approved planning application P/2025/1015 for the temporary change of use of an area within Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lane, for a three-day music event scheduled for 12-14 September 2025. The approval includes a set-up period from 1 September and clearance by 19 September.

The decision was made despite concerns from local residents regarding potential noise and disturbance. The approved noise level for the event is lower than the limit set in the applicant's existing licence. The applicant must also adhere to conditions related to event management, transport, waste disposal, and ecological protection.

Councillor Joanna Biddolph raised concerns about the event, including potential breaches of permitted development limits and the lack of biodiversity net gain³.

Other Matters

The committee also considered the following items:

• Rivers Academy (P/2025/1058): Erection of a three-storey school building with a single-storey sports block and demolition of blocks EFAA, EFAB, EFAC, EFAD and EFAF with the refurbishment of block EFAE and improvements to access, landscaping and associated infrastructure.
• Rivers Academy Temporary School Building (P/2025/1059): Erection of a three-storey temporary school building and provision of temporary playing pitches on the school sports field.
• 10 Almorah Road, Hounslow (P/2025/1564): Certificate of lawfulness for the proposed erection of a rear roof extension with hip to gable conversion and front roof windows to the house.