Ballymore Development South of the High Street
Here follows a letter sent on 31st July from Suzie Betlem to David Laycock, Ballymore, on behalf of the Brentford Chamber of Commerce.
You may also want to read the article on Brentford TW8, and look at the photos.
On behalf of all our Members of The Brentford Chamber of Commerce, and in agreement with the Executive Committee, we would like to put forward our combined views with regard to the planning application being put forward for the development of Brentford south of the High Street.
The Brentford business community has been eagerly waiting for the proposed redevelopment, as the area has been run down for over 15 years during which time many Brentford businesses have struggled to survive and prosper.
With three business premises recently vacated and several buildings unused and un-let, it is vital and imperative that the plans for Brentford and its future growth are very seriously considered in order to survive alongside the more attractive business centres provided in Northfields, Chiswick, Kew and Richmond.
Many of our members have been active in the workshop procedures and meetings over the past year, held by Soundings the PR company working on behalf of Ballymore Group .
This response and findings has been derived from the final presentation, at a meeting held by Ballymore and their appointed architects on 12th July 2012.
Overall perception
It has been unanimously agreed and without exception, that the final plans drawn up and visuals presented are disappointing ,unimaginative and uninspiring and do nothing to encourage business growth for both existing and future business investors.
Monolithic block structures with relentless linear frontage and side views. Increased heights giving little light and space between buildings. The materials suggested of concrete, plain brick , square pillars, glass and grey cladding with internal balconies give a sense of enclosure and appear aggressive, overbearing and underwhelming.
Business requirements / considerations
1. Provision for current businesses to relocate within the various phases, with preferential
Reduced rental values, to offset relocation costs and ‘business upset’ throughout the build programme, over the next ten years. This would retain and strengthen Brentford’s core business community.
2 Clarification of unit sizes and mixes of styles.
Lack of commercial business space with more desirable and adaptable space
provided for both small creative and affordable studios, single and double fronted retail and individual ’boutique’ style shops. More curvature and stepping using more coherent historical details to buildings, to give individual identity to premises.
3 An opportunity for existing individual businesses to have ‘ purpose built ‘premises
For those that need certain square footage within the retail areas, in order that premises are not left redundant.
4 A two year rent free period for retail and commercial premises, to kick start new business as successfully seen by the marketing policy at ‘Westfield shopping centre’ Shepherds Bush.
5. Free parking for two hours, throughout t the development, and surroundings in the vacant plots to be demolished, with a voucher scheme for business customers only, and not for residential or commuter use.
Disabled parking areas don’t appear to have been addressed.
Conclusions
Whilst all our members are keen to remain in Brentford, and would encourage the development of the south side sooner rather than later, a more innovative, dynamic and creative approach is required and should have been recognised and adopted by the architects, to launch Brentford into a new, brighter and more vibrant place to live and work.
We believe the plans in the present format proposed by Ballymore, will not provide enough basis for existing and future businesses in Brentford to develop effectively.