Nearly 3,500 new homes could be built across Feltham over the next 15 years as part of wide-ranging plans to transform the area.

Opening up parks in the area, creating a new public square outside Feltham train station and extending the High Street Plaza so it can host regular markets and festivals are just some of the ideas outlined in the 'Feltham Vision and Concept Masterplan'.

The final version of the extensive document, which sets out a vision for regeneration between now and 2030, was unveiled by Hounslow Council earlier this month following public consultation .

Council leader Steve Curran said: "The FVCM is a vision for Feltham in the coming years. We want Feltham to be a thriving town with a close-knit community who are proud of where they live.

"It's a commitment of this administration to improve Feltham but at the same time it's important that we make sure that any new developments help to showcase Feltham's history and cultural assets.

"This is a great opportunity to improve the lives of people living and working in Feltham without sacrificing any of its character."

The weighty tome, which runs to 92 pages, was developed by designers Urban Initiatives Studio in conjunction with council officers.

It will act as a guide for future developments across Feltham and could play a key role in determining planning applications.

The document sets out recommendations for everything from new housing, shops and offices to transport improvements and providing more school places.

'Landmark' buildings of up to 15 storeys

It suggests a maximum height of five-to-six storeys for buildings in the town centre and less elsewhere.

However, it does provide scope for 'landmark' buildings of up to 15 storeys at the intersection of New Road and Hounslow Road, and at the corner of New Road and Longford River, while stressing the need to protect views of St Catherine's spire.

As well as creating new public squares, it envisages increasing the use of existing open spaces by improving access, upgrading facilities and hosting more events there.

The 'masterplan' includes proposals for a new cafe/restaurant on Feltham Green (photo by Chris Longhurst)

Building a café/restaurant in the north-west corner of Feltham Green and staging festivals and car boot sales at the northern edge are among the recommendations.

One of the biggest proposed developments is for the Feltham West complex, which is home to a cinema, bingo hall and bowling alley.

Building a 900-space multi-storey car park at the site, the plan suggests, would create space for up to 600 apartments and 8,500sqm of new leisure, food and drink outlets.

New cycle lanes

There are proposals to boost the cycle network, with dedicated cycle lanes running along the High Street and shared cycle/pedestrian paths along Longford River and through Hanworth Air Park, and along the railway line, linking Bedfont Lakes Country Park in the west with the River Crane and Hounslow Heath to the east.

The plan also talks about how to mitigate the impact on traffic of closing the Bedfont Lane level-crossing.

The level crossing in Bedfont Lane, Feltham, the closure of which is planned

Building a new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the railway and increasing capacity on surrounding roads, by widening the approaches to Hounslow Road bridge, for example, are among the measures proposed.

3,455 new homes by 2030

The plan suggests a total of 3,455 new homes could be built in the area by 2030, including 780 students homes.

Over the next four years, it envisages 870 more homes being built, 550 of which would be for students, and 2,650sqm of extra ground floor space being created for retail, commercial and community uses.

The enhanced station square and new pedestrian railway bridge would both be completed during this period, the report suggests.

The development at Feltham West could take place between 2020-25, according to the document, with an expanded St Lawrence RC Primary School and a mixed-use development overlooking Feltham Green also earmarked for this stretch of time.

* You can see the 'Feltham Vision and Concept Masterplan' in full here .

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