Welcome to the Isleworth Society Website
News at a Glance
New Hounslow Local Plan
After long consultation the Council has now produced its new Local Plan. There is one final chance to submit comments (see below). Based on the Cabinet report in July key features in the new Local Plan are:
Housing- Overall target that 50% of new housing should be affordable
Green Belt- The Council has dropped previous plans to release green belt land at Bedfont Lakes and Heathrow Gateway for employment/housing, However, five smaller green belt spaces near Heathrow are still being released for employment uses
Creative Zone- In the east of the borough there will be a new Creative Enterprise Zone focused around the Great West Road
Environment- There are new policies around waste management, flood risks, air and noise pollution, land contamination and minerals extraction·
Town Centres. There are specific plans for each major Centre (Feltham, Hounslow, Brentford, Chiswick) for a mix of retail, business, culture and leisure uses. A similar approach will be taken to smaller neighbourhood centres (such as Isleworth)·
Planning applications which may cause particular concerns such as hot food takeaways, betting shops and pawnbrokers will be subject to a specific Health Impact Assessment.You can view the final draft Plan by visiting the Planning and Buildings section on the Council website then Planning Policies then Local Plan or for the consultation to: https://talk.hounslow.gov.uk/local-plan-reg19. Final comments must be submitted by 28 October. After considering any final comments the Council will submit the Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspectorate may choose to hold public hearing to hear any very final representations.
New Friends for Isleworth Station
This summer, you may have noticed that a little patch of flowers and tomatoes has appeared beside the newly landscaped pedestrian access to Isleworth station from St John’s Road. This is thanks to the efforts of a group of residents, the Friends of Isleworth Station, who have begun gardening along the fence next to the Bridge Dental Practice.
Earlier this year, The Isleworth Society consulted with Network Rail and Hounslow Planning to ensure the conservation of a Victorian wrought-iron gate during the installation of the new lifts, and we are pleased to introduce this new group, the Friends of Isleworth Station, whose aim is to protect, beautify and maintain the station and its immediate surroundings to benefit residents, visitors and the environment, creating community gardens and seating areas as well as other projects centred around the station.
They take an interest in the management, improvement and maintenance of the station building and its land, making the most of the limited green space in the busy heart of Isleworth. Working closely with the Community Rail Partnership and other community groups, the group has begun the process of station adoption by residents, to support the upkeep and care of the station while recognising the needs of the local community.
The idea is to create and maintain a series of mini gardens, along with rainwater collection, plants, and seating, creating opportunities for local residents to develop ownership of the station and to connect with nature.The first gardening project, “The Railway Bridge Garden”, is underway, blooming with bee-friendly and butterfly-friendly plants. It is located beside the Bridge Dental Practice, on the north side of the railway line along the footpath to the station from St John’s Road, and even though the planting is not complete, it has already engaged and inspired passers-by. Hounslow Council has extended the deadline of the design consultation for Isleworth Station Forecourt, and it is not too late to contribute your views – details of how to have your say are on display at the station, beside the new lift to platform 1. If you would like to volunteer your time, or to find out more about the Friends of Isleworth Station and their activities, email: friendsofisleworthstation@gmail.com, or send a message on Instagram (@friendsofisleworthstation).