Forum Topics

La Rosetta closing

LA ROSETTA RESTAURANT AND OTHERS IN BRENTFORD HIGH STREET ARE RECEIVING NOTICES FROM THE COUNCIL. As landlords, Hounslow Council are informing them that their leases will expire in five years time and they will need to quit. This comes as Council planners hold detailed consultations about demolishing the North side extending from Market Square to Goddards – in effect Brentford's remaining shopping parade, with La Rosetta, two cafes, a KFC, a pharmacy, a bookies, a fruit and veg shop, a general store, two estate agents and a bank (now closed) as well as the Council's own Digital Dock business hub (now open). Oh, and one cash machine and no post office.In principle councillors want to see it redeveloped in a way which would fit more with the Ballymore buildings going up rapidly across the road. This would mean new shops and more flats – the latter is always a priority – perhaps in one or two blocks which could be six storeys or so high (instead of the present three). Although some people think the current block should just be refurbished, the Council is much more ambitious. Part of the problem is Lion Way, at the back, which is considered an eyesore. Goddards also have their own plans for redevelopment and these will need to be accommodated. Some of the current businesses – such as La Rosetta  and cafes – could well move across the road and relocate in new premises, perhaps on the Ballymore waterside. They would take their loyal customers with them, uniting the old with the new.While plans are at an early stage, Councillors have been encouraged by the positive reactions to their proposals for the redevelopment of Charlton House just along Brentford High Street and hope to use the lessons learned there to engage the current tenants with their plans.

Reg Ghosh ● 1914d12 Comments ● 1910d

South St. & Upper Square Cycle proposals

People in Isleworth received notice yesterday of the decision to proceed with the work for the above scheme. The sentence below says it all, again, an officer has made the decision not only to proceed but to ignore objections. The report was 'shared with councillors and the Lead Member for Transport', none of whom live in Isleworth, work to start 28 June.'A decision on the objections to the Traffic Order was taken by Chief Officer Decision at the end of March. The decision was to set aside the objections, and proceed with the scheme. It can be viewed here - https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=622&MId=11691.'Many of us feel this scheme will be an unmitigated disaster just waiting to happen, in particular the part outside The Isleworth Public Hall, where the pavement will be shared between pedestrians and cycles. This also necessitates moving the bus stop along South St. for a 'half stop' and will likely have the effect of causing traffic hold-ups at busy times, just what we need.Parents collecting/dropping off their offspring from a local primary school wait outside the Public Hall, and there are quite a few local groups who use it for meetings, and whose elderly members use the benches outside whilst waiting for their bus home.It doesn't require a genius to see the possible conflict this will bring between the two groups, but then what do we know?Still, never mind, the interests of people on bikes override absolutely everything these days, and our elected members are so supine, they abdicate their responsibility to represent us in favour of letting paid employees make decisions which they should make, but hey! Never mind the officers 'share' their decisions with thewm - so that's alright then.

Vanessa Smith ● 1910d0 Comments ● 1910d