Regeneration board to consult community on 'emotive issue'

Members of the Gunnersbury Park Regeneration board have announced that they will be conducting a consultation during the summer months about plans to build private homes on the historic site.

The decision to explore the building project was taken because of the 'inescapable high costs involved' to carry out the necessary regeneration of the park and it's buildings.

A report presented to the Chiswick Area Committee Monitoring Meeting this week, stated that, 'Building Houses on public parkland is an emotive issue. A broad understanding
needs to be achieved by all stakeholders as to why this is being proposed and the options available.'

Members of the Gunnersbury Park Regeneration board agreed consultation should take place over the summer before any decision is made.

Speaking after the previous Gunnersbury Regeneration Board meeting, Cllr Adrian Lee said, “We’re determined to restore all of the historic buildings in the park, along with landscape features such as the Japanese Garden and possibly even the Horseshoe Pond. However, Ealing and Hounslow councils simply do not have the money available to pay for this, so we’ve had to look at other options to see if there is a viable way forward.”

The two councils jointly appointed professional consultants to look at a wide range of options for the site, and have worked with stakeholder groups to ensure that future plans do not alter the character and significance of the estate.

For more information on Gunnersbury Park, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/gunnersbury.

June 3, 2009