394-room shared living scheme at 389 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4

What was proposed

The scheme would convert Chiswick Tower to shared living and co-working space, replace the annex with 23 social rent homes, and improve public areas.

“P/2025/0794 Address: Chiswick High Road W4 4AJ Ward: Chiswick Gunnersbury Proposal: Alterations to and change of use of Chiswick Tower to provide 394 rooms shared living accommodation Sui Generis and 486 sqm co-working space, demolition of existing two-storey annex to provide 23 residential units Class C3 within a new nine storey plus basement building, children's play space; amenity space, public realm improvements, Gunnersbury Station entrance improvements,…”

“Local Housing Needs Assessment suggests that there is a limited need for co- living units in Hounslow. However, this site is well-connected with job opportunities nearby, and the applicant has successfully demonstrated there is an exception case for this type of accommodation at the site.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site includes the 19-storey tower, a two-storey annex and car park areas above Gunnersbury Station, in a mixed commercial and residential setting.

“Figure 1 Proposed Location Plan 2.1 The site is situated on the southern side of Chiswick High Road and sits directly above the access to Gunnersbury Station. It consists of a 19-storey building with a basement (Chiswick Tower), a two-storey annex building, the upper open level and the basement level 1 of the western car park. The site area is 0.47 hectares. It has 18,932 sqm of existing office space and 1,359 sqm of car park.”

“The area next to the railway line is within a London Underground Zone of Interest, and part of the site, which is also adjacent to the railway line, is classified as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. The site has a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) of 5, indicating very good connectivity to public transport services. The land along the railway and immediately adjacent falls within Flood Zone 3, while the rest of the site falls within Flood Zone 1.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the accessible site suitable for shared living, with justified office loss, affordable housing contributions, improved public realm and safeguarded station land.

“Most homes would be single aspect with no affordable housing, public realm improvements and external communal amenity space. It is not considered to be good design. The applicant has submitted a Unilateral Undertaking, which they would use reasonable endeavours for a minimum period of eighteen months following the start of facilitation works to enter into an Option Agreement Safeguarding Land for Gunnersbury Station improvements.”

“TfL and Network Rail have been consulted, and they support this arrangement in principle. The overall costs for delivering the proposed station improvements are unclear at this stage. It is noted that Network Rail does not have confirmed funding to upgrade the station. However, due to the site location and station constraints, it is important to safeguard areas for the future station improvements.”

Officer report

Who spoke at committee

A community society supported the scheme with concerns, a ward councillor raised local issues, and the applicant and consultants supported approval.

What members debated

Members debated whether station improvements were sufficiently secured, alongside housing, co-living, public access, landscaping, transport, safety and construction concerns.

“Members now moved on to debate. Cllr Gurmail Lal asked for clarification from Planning and Legal officers regarding the works to Gunnersbury station. He asked if it would be enforceable to require the improvements to be carried out. Vincent Lacovara, Director of Planning and Buildings, advised that members had to assess the merits of the current application against planning policy.”

“Cllr Mosley reminded members to focus on the Application itself, as unfortunately much as members wished station improvements to be made immediately that was not going to happen. He felt that the scheme was a good one and would benefit a neglected area and provide much needed affordable housing. Although initially sceptical he saw the potential of co-living to help resolve the present housing crisis.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted unanimously to approve the officer recommendation, including the additional cycle parking condition.

“The Chair confirmed that the proposed condition that cycle parking provision be 20% Sheffield stands, 75% two tier and 5% accessible bikes was to be included in the vote.”

“Cllr Max Mosley moved approval of the officer’s recommendations, seconded by Cllr Marina Sharma. Members voted unanimously to approve the recommendations.”

Minutes

Conditions and agreements

Approval required planning conditions and completion of legal arrangements covering station land, affordable housing, highways and other matters.

“The on-site plus off-site affordable housing contribution would be 20%. While it falls short of the requirements of the London Plan, it should be noted that the proposal is not financially viable. The applicant would be approved with a legal agreement and conditions to ensure it would not result in unacceptable harm to the area, neighbours and ecology and would be sustainable and resilient.”

“The satisfactory legal agreement or unilateral undertaking outlined above shall be completed and planning permission issued within 6 months, or such extended period as may be agreed in writing by appropriate officers within the Housing, Planning and Economic Regeneration Department or within Legal Services.”

Officer report