Dear blog subscriber,
We have just been informed that the Secretary of State has approved the planning applications to redevelop the Tesco & Homebase sites, despite both applications being refused by the Planning Inspector following the Public Inquiry.
Here is the key information:
The Inspector recommended that planning permission be refused for both applications.
The Secretary of State disagrees with the Inspector’s recommendation. He has decided to grant planning permission for both applications.
The planning application to build 2150 homes in 16 tower blocks up to 17 storeys on the Osterley Tesco and Homebase sites on Syon Lane, West London, is therefore approved. The case made by Osterley & Wyke Green Residents' Association (OWGRA) and Historic England as to why the development would be harmful to both Osterley and the wider area has therefore been rejected, despite the recommendation from the Planning Inspector that planning permission be refused for both applications, following a 15-day Public Inquiry, held over the course of many months in 2022.
The final judgement from the Secretary of State has resulted in a recommendation to accept the case for approval from Berkeley Homes & Hounslow Council.
We deeply regret this decision. We remain of the view that the plans for the site represent an enormous over-development which will be harmful to the character of the area, and where local infrastructure is already severely stretched and inadequate for an extra 5-6K residents.
We will make further comments once we have had a chance to read and analyse the full report, which runs to 298 pages and which can be viewed on our website.