A protected status has been given to part of Chiswick to seal its historic importance and prevent any unnecessary future development.
The decision to declare Chiswick High Road as a conservation area was made at the Hounslow Council cabinet meeting on Tuesday (July 21), and took effect immediately.
The preserved area lies next to the Turnham Green conservation area, and will run along Chiswick High Road eastwards up to Chiswick Lane including Devonshire Close and Turnham Green Terrace.
Council leader Steve Curran said: “It must always be out intention to protect areas like this from inappropriate development and this is an important architectural, cultural and historic part of the borough."
This new status will allow for small changes to be made by property owners, and new development will be required to conserve or enhance the area, while demolition of a building within the conservation area would require planning permission.
The move follows a consultation with people living or working within the conservation area.
Chiswick High Road Action Group (CHRAG) welcomed the news on Twitter.
The conservation area recognises the importance of the late 19th and early 20th century commercial development that grew up along Chiswick High Road and surrounding spur roads leading towards Black Common.
The protected status gives a rare historic value of a boom town that sprung up in the late Victorian era and includes several listed buildings including the Packhorse and Talbot pub which was threatened for demolition in August last year.
