| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:solar panels | |
| Posted by: | Joy Skinner | |
| Date/Time: | 08/11/12 23:17:00 |
| My thanks to Richard Jennings for giving me the opportunity to correct some untrue rumours that have been circulating about us although these assertions have nothing to do with this application. First; we have always been granted all the necessary planning permissions for work done over the years at Heron House. Secondly, we did, indeed, apply for and were refused Planning Permission to convert the ground floor into a restaurant. What was so dreadful about that? When we first came here, you could walk along Chiswick Mall and see across the gardens to the river; now many of the gardens have high hedges making that impossible, the only open stretch being in front of our section of the road. If we had received permission, there would have been a pleasant place to rest for those doing the Thames Walk and a congenial meeting place with a lovely view for those who now congregate below our walls with nowhere to sit. Not so long ago, when there was a ferry across the river and reed cutting and boat-building activities, there were two pubs, 'The Burlington' in Church St and 'The Red Lion' now Red Lion House, next door but one, to us in Chiswick Mall which closed when the ferry stopped and reed-cutting and boat building were no lomger economic. The Council gave planning permission for the Pisarro restaurant in front of the new housing estates that have replaced the industrial area running west from the Church to Dukes Meadows so it seems strange to refuse permission for one here, so close to the site of the old Red Lion , now that there is so much renewed interest in the river for recreational activities. . Thirdly, there are now 5 solar panels on the roof which take all the space we can spare from the garden we have made up there, open to all those who live in Heron House. The garden, slows down the rain which would otherwise cascade into the streets putting extra strain on the drains, attracts butterflies and bees, provides insulation and is occasionally open to the public in aid of the Nat. Gardens Scheme or Epilepsy Research whose head-quarters are in Church Street. The lift tower is covered with climbing plants that provide as much carbon reduction as a tree . |