Working with Hounslow Council

The London Borough of Hounslow has identified several council owned sites (including the former garage site to the rear of Manor Gardens) that have the potential to be redeveloped to provide new affordable homes for rent.

The London Borough of Hounslow approved the transfer of the Manor Gardens site to Sapphire Independent Housing, subject to securing planning permission. This transfer forms part of the small sites programme which aims to work in partnership with Housing Associations to develop new social housing in perpetuity.

The proposals

In December 2021, planning permission was granted to redevelop the former garages at Manor Gardens, Chiswick (application no. 00354/C/P1). The approved plans included demolishing the garages and constructing two new buildings to provide six affordable flats, with cycle storage, landscaping, refuse facilities, and retention of the existing substation.

Since then, as detailed design work has progressed, it has become clear that the originally approved plans could not be built exactly, as access to the on-site electricity substation must be accessible 24/7, and the original building heights did not leave enough space for utility and service requirements.

• A new application (ref. P/2025/1614) has therefore been submitted to the London Borough of Hounslow to make some amendments so the scheme can be delivered. These include:
• Increasing the height of the buildings by 0.465 metres (18.3 inches) to make space for utilities and services.
• Re-positioning and redesigning the external staircase to improve fire safety and reduce its visual impact from Wilton Avenue.
• Moving the buildings slightly down the site to allow access to the substation. Still allowing access to the public alleyway.
• Improving the access to and from Wilton Avenue so refuse and emergency vehicles can park and turn safely.
• Improving cycle and refuse storage.

The proposed changes are still within the approved site boundary, keep the same number of flats with no increase to the number of residents, reduces the overall footprint of the scheme, while maintaining a similar scale and appearance to the consented plans.

An updated daylight and sunlight impact assessment has been submitted and has confirmed that the proposed changes and increase in height will not increase the impact to neighbouring properties

About Sapphire Independent Housing

We are proud to provide quality services for those in need of a home. Our portfolio includes a mix of supported and general needs housing for single people and families. Sapphire Independent Housing provides homes and support to a diverse resident group. We are working in partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow to increase the supply of affordable homes for rent. These homes will be for people of Hounslow in housing need.

This development by Sapphire Independent Housing will provide:

• Six new homes consisting of 5 one-bedroom homes and 1 two bed home.
• A car free development
• Cycle storage
• Built to meet Hounslow’s zero emissions target which will help to reduce fuel poverty.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please call us on 0800 955 1042 (lines open during office hours) or email us at [email protected].  

If you wish to comment on the proposals, the planning application (application ref. P/2025/1614) has been registered with the London Borough of Hounslow, and formal comments can be submitted directly to the Council through their planning portal. Please click here to view it.