The Hounslow Council Planning Committee convened to discuss several planning applications and a revised Planning Enforcement Plan, ultimately approving a retrospective application for a lounge bar on Chiswick High Road and a series of applications concerning plant equipment at Chiswick Business Park. The committee also noted the updated Planning Enforcement Plan.

Planning Enforcement Plan

The committee noted the updated Planning Enforcement Plan (2025). The original plan was adopted in 2012, and the updated plan aims to improve clarity, accountability, and communication regarding how the council enforces breaches of planning control.

The updated plan includes:

• Clearer definitions of key terms such as 'harm', 'minor breach', and 'expediency'
• Improved communication protocols with complainants, including named case officers and case updates
• Commitment to continue to publish enforcement statistics monthly
• Reinforcement of powers under Section 215¹ and Stop Notices for visible or ongoing harm
• Greater co-ordination with related council services to ensure joined-up enforcement

The consultation through the summer of 2025 received 18 responses, with respondents stressing the importance of strong enforcement, but also expressing concerns about delays, poor communication, and a perceived overuse of the 'not expedient' justification for avoiding enforcement action.

299-303 Chiswick High Road

The committee approved planning application P/2025/1945 for retrospective permission for the change of use of an existing food takeaway business and restaurant into a lounge bar on the basement floor and restaurant on the ground floor of 299-303 Chiswick High Road W4 4HH. The committee's decision followed a report by Jacky Leung, Career Grade Planner.

Councillor Joanna Biddolph objected to the application, raising concerns from residents and nearby business owners regarding insufficient soundproofing and unsanitary waste management at the rear of the site. Cllr Biddolph requested a condition mandating effective soundproofing for walls and a definition of 'soft background music' in enforceable terms, as well as improved waste management.

The applicant, Mr Shahid Hirji, stated that the food waste reported did not come from his business as the restaurant had not yet opened, and that building waste would be cleared up. He added that all noise had been fully tested, and low bass and high frequencies had been removed from the sound system.

Councillor Dan Bowring stated that he and Councillor Adesh Farmahan had visited the site earlier that day and that music could be heard at a low level from the pavement while the front door was open, but not at all when the door was closed. Councillor Tom Bruce stated that the application would help bring footfall to the area, and Councillor Sayyar Raza felt that the premises would improve the area's night time economy.

The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions.

Buildings 1-5 Chiswick Business Park

The committee approved planning applications P/2025/2433, P/2025/2432, P/2025/2431, P/2025/2430 and P/2025/1166 for the installation of plant equipment with associated power cabling and replacement of existing plant equipment at roof level of Buildings 1-5 in Chiswick Business Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 5BE. The committee's decision followed a report by Louise Oppe, Career Grade Planner.

Ms Marie Rabouhans, Chair of the West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society (WCGS), spoke to object, raising concerns about noise emanating above ground level from the buildings. Ms Rabouhans stated that the noise assessment for the east side of Silver Crescent showed the proposed new plant to be just within or at the required limit of 36dB, and that residents feared that the actual noise levels would in fact exceed the limits.

Samuel Wilcock, development manager for Chiswick Park Estate, stated that the applications were part of the client's ongoing investment and improvements to the estate and were a fundamental aspect of the ongoing decarbonisation strategy. He added that the applicant had submitted a noise impact assessment with the planning applications, which concluded that the proposed plans would meet the council's noise standards.

Councillor Tom Bruce stated that it was important to recognise the concerns of the objectors but the report stated that noise levels had been deemed satisfactory, and that the proposed scheme was a step to reduce carbon and create a sustainable future. Councillor Dan Bowring referred to Condition 6C that set out that once installed all equipment would be tested to ensure that it met all required standards and subsequently must be maintained permanently thereafter to continue to meet the standards.

The committee voted to approve the applications, subject to conditions.