APPENDIX 1
LETTER TO THE BOROUGH PLANNING OFFICE, LONDON
BOROUGH OF HOUNSLOW FROM BRITISH WATERWAYS, 7 OCTOBER 2004
PLANNING AND COMPULSORY PURCHASE ACT 2004
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990
WESTWAY HOUSE, UNIT 6 TRANSPORT AVENUE, BRENTFORD,
TW8 9HF
ERECTION OF THREE STOREY EXTENSION TO EXISTING
STORAGE WAREHOUSE
PLANNING APPLICATION REFERENCE NUMBER: 01130/D/P/10
British Waterways is a public body set up under
the Transport Act 1968 to manage, maintain and preserve the network
of canals and other navigations. As a statutory consultee in the
planning process BW are entrusted by the government to aid developers
in maximising a development's relationship with the built and
natural environment. Appropriate redevelopment of land is welcomed
provided it:
— improves the character of the waterscape;
— increases the general publics appreciation
of the waterways, and
— enhances the environmental attributes
of the waterways.
It is in this context that all comments are
made.
Having regard to the drawings provided, British
Waterways object to the proposal on the grounds of scale and massing,
overshadowing and safety.
SCALE AND
MASSING
The excessive height of the proposed extension
is considered to be wholly inappropriate, given the close proximity
of the canal edge.
OVERSHADOWING
The siting of a three-storey extension, which
is so close to the edge of the canal creates a detrimental impact
on the canal side and canal ecosystem.
SAFETY
The excessive overshadowing of the towpath would
reduce the safe navigation of the towpath for pedestrian and other
traffic. Eg cyclists.
In addition to the objections raised above,
British Waterways request that the following informatives be attached
to any consent notice, should the Council be minded to grant planning
permission for the proposals.
"The applicant is advised that any discharge
of surface water into the waterways requires British Waterway's
written permission before development commences."
"All works in, on, under, above or adjacent
to the waterways must comply to the British Waterways Code of
Construction Practise Note."
"Any closure of towpath during construction
must be agreed in writing with BWL before development commences."
Yours sincerely
British Waterways
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