Golden Mile Funding First Step in 'Reimagining' of the Borough

Hounslow Council has approved over £1 million in funding for the Golden Mile in the first phase of a regeneration project described by Council Leader Cllr Rajawat as a “reimagining of the borough.”

The immediate investment focuses funding on feasibility studies and design work for the Golden Mile. Without investment, the area could present a critical risk to the local economy.

The 4km corridor is currently home to around 45 per cent of London’s TV and radio jobs. However, without investment, up to 70 per cent of the area’s commercial floorspace could become un-lettable by 2040 due to new energy efficiency requirements.

The area has struggled to retain major occupants in recent years. Companies such as GSK, SEGA and the Jimmy Choo Academy have left, suggesting the need for better amenities and a higher quality business space.

The area is among the top 20 per cent of the most deprived areas nationally, with a significant gap between the corporate wealth and local wealth of many residents. Areas such as Brentford East and Syon Green are considered to be “equality opportunity clusters” whereby investment could support those worst off.

Phase 1 will focus on a number of specific projects including the Golden Mile Innovation Hub, where funding will cover feasibility studies on plans to create a digital media hub. Additionally, there are plans for a Centre of Knowledge Excellence, which will require the development of a business case for a facility to provide skills training in AI, aviation and biomedical sciences.

The council owns very little land in the area, other than mostly parks and roads, meaning it requires huge private investment from local landowners and developers to the tune of £5 billion to see the project through. The first phase of funding is expected to create an investment prospectus and governance structures needed to “de-risk” the project – making it more attractive to investors.

Despite hosting global companies throughout the Golden Mile, local people often miss out on the jobs offered by these companies. This project aims to fix this problem by ensuring skills pathways will create 25,000 new jobs for locals by 2041.

The current infrastructure cannot support future growth. The area is dominated by heavy traffic, noise, and air pollution which council documents say residents describe as a “hostile” environment.

Public transport in the area is also poor, particularly for North-South journeys with residents and businesses complaining about overcrowded buses and a lack of rail access, forcing a reliance on cars.

The proposals for the West London Orbital extension – which will connect Hounslow to North West London – is considered to be essential to the plans, particularly given the plans to build over 7,500 homes in the area by 2041. Without the extension, the council fears the current transport network could not cope with the increased population.

Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter

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