Hounslow Council Approves Major Development on 'Grey Belt' Land
Hounslow Council's Planning Committee has unanimously approved a significant development project that will transform a car park on Staines Road into a mixed-use commercial hub. The plans, voted in favor on Thursday, March 5, include the construction of four warehouses, a cafe, and a dedicated cycle facility, marking a strategic use of land classified as 'grey belt.'
Details of the Approved Development
The project will see the demolition of an existing 238-space car park to make way for four commercial warehouses totaling 17,498 square meters of flexible workspace at the Central Park Estate. The largest unit measures 5,952 square meters, while the smallest is 3,054 square meters, with each seven-story building featuring dedicated service yards and parking areas.
Alongside the warehouses, an al fresco-style cafe will be built, along with a comprehensive cycle hub offering repair services, storage, and changing rooms for cyclists. For the local community, an accessible amenity space with seating and landscaping will be created in the northwest corner of the site.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
This development is expected to generate 131 jobs during construction and 254 permanent positions once operational. The developer has committed to paying £500,000 toward affordable workspaces and £690,000 to fund additional bus services in the area for three years, enhancing public transport options.
To promote sustainable travel, the new car park will be reduced to 104 spaces, with nearly a third reserved for electric vehicle charging. A new 3-meter-wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will be constructed, along with 131 cycle parking spaces, including provisions for cargo bikes and e-bike charging stations.
Green Belt Considerations
The site, located north of Hounslow Heath and east of the River Crane corridor, is technically part of the Metropolitan Green Belt but qualifies as 'grey belt' due to its previous development and lower ecological quality. The council concluded that the land, described as undeveloped grassland with boundary trees, does not effectively serve green belt purposes, allowing for its redevelopment.
All councillors present supported the proposals, which will now proceed to the Mayor of London for final approval, highlighting a balanced approach to urban growth and environmental stewardship.
