New planning rules create stumbling block for St. George's

After approval by Hounslow Council's Sustainable Development Committee, conservation area status for the area around the north side of Kew Bridge looks a certainty.

The decision needs to be ratified by the council executive but that is widely felt to be a formality.

Earlier, the Brentford and Isleworth Area Committee also voted in favour of plans to grant the status to the area between the Steam Museum and Kew Bridge Station.

The decision will have an impact on developers St George, who have announced plans for a major development on the Thames next to Kew Bridge (see picture above).

A majority of respondants to the survey were in favour of giving the area Conservation District status, which places greater demands on householders and businesses to maintain the appearance of their property. The plans were also backed by a number of national bodies including English Heritage and the Victorian Society.

The Victorian buildings in the area, including Kew Bridge Station and the Steam Museum, were picked out for special mention in the report, which also acknowledged the importance of the cottages in Green Dragon Lane, originally built for employees of the Kew Steam Works. The importance of the area to London's road network was also noted.

September 24, 2003