Former police station set to turn into new retirement living scheme
Instead of being locked away Birchgrove have recently had plans approved to convert a former police station into a 50-unit retirement living community.
Originally opened in 1972, the police station at 209-211 Chiswick High Road closed in 2021 and was sold by the Metropolitan Police to Birchgrove, an organisation dedicated to creating new retirement living spaces, in April 2022.
Following this, redevelopment plans were submitted later in the same year, and, after two public consultations, planning permission has now been granted.
Commenting on the news, Honor Barratt, chief executive at Birchgrove said: ‘After almost two years of consultation we are thrilled to have secured planning permission, and I would like to thank everyone – including the council and local residents – for both their support and suggestions to ensure the development is the best it can be and does Chiswick justice.
‘All too often older people are shoved to the end of a cul-de-sac somewhere, but not here. With our development bang in the middle of Chiswick High Street, our residents will be able to flourish at the heart of the community.’
Plans include one and two-bed self-contained rented apartments, which will be available for people aged 65 and over, with facilities including a 24-hour concierge service, restaurant, license bar, courtyard garden and wellness suite.
One of the reasons the plans were put forward to create this establishment were because Birchgrove believed people in the area could benefit from a dedicated space solely available for those who have retired.
As well as including features such as a restaurant and a garden, plans also include a ground-floor space that will be available for local community groups to hire so they can arrange meetings with members.
In addition, the police will also be provided with a separate dedicated facilities space which will enable officers to charge their body-worn cameras, iPads, and radios, and means a police base will be re-established on the High Road following the station’s closure.
The scheme will also provide a £400,000 contribution towards affordable housing in Hounslow, and has been assessed as highly sustainable – achieving a minimum 77% reduction in carbon emissions over the regulatory baseline.
Image: Birchgrove
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