Plan to convert court into homes given green light
MAGISTRATES BUILDING HAS BEEN EMPTY SINCE 2016
A PLAN to convert the former Feltham Magistrates’ Court into 28 new homes has been given the green light by councillors.
The “cherished” locally listed building in Hanworth Road has been empty since 2016, and will now undergo works to refurbish the main site and build a three-storey and separate twostorey building.
The homes will be a mix of studio apartments up to three-bedroom homes, with nine one-bedroom affordable flats sold at Discount Market Sale of 32%.
The plan was approved by Hounslow Council’s planning committee on November 5, which also heard representation from a resident objecting to the proposed roof terrace within the development for new residents, over safety, noise and nuisance.
Brentford councillor Mel Collins also expressed his “extreme disappointment” that none of the homes were to be London Affordable Rent, and would not be available for those on the council’s housing register.
He said: “There is no benefit whatsoever to the homeless persons unit of Hounslow Council, to rehouse people who are in desperate need.
“This application will do nothing for local people whatsoever and to have studio flats in there is even worse so I’m very disappointed with that.
“Yes we need homes, of course we need homes, and you’re pushed into a position where you’ve got to accept something when you know in your heart of hearts you’re accepting something which is of no value to the local community, particularly in this time when we’re in a pandemic and several thousand people will be losing their jobs.”
Council officers explained that previous plans for London Affordable Rent homes to be built in the development had to be abandoned because no registered social housing provider would take on the small number of homes to manage.
They said: “We were actually going to get two rented units out of the entire scheme, we pushed it to three, and following further discussions we’ve reached an agreement on nine Discount Market Sale.
“Even at one point we were at 0%, we have pushed the developer to get as much as possible.”
On concerns over the roof terrace, it was confirmed a management agreement including a ban on ball games will be put in place.
Hanworth councillor Samia Chaudhary also indicated she wanted to see the history of the building to stay evident both in and outside of the development.
Representatives from the architect of the plan, RG+P, assured the “conservation-led” development would sensitively refurbished the historic site to reinforce the “important local character”.
Chairman Amritpal Mann praised officers for getting “the very best here” out of the site despite limitations around the listed building and conservation area.
Councillors unanimously agreed to approve the scheme.