We consulted with our residents during the summer of 2008 to talk more about the vision for Hounslow.
We collected a wide range of views on the successes and failures of the town centre and ideas to improve the centre’s future role for people who visit, live and work in Hounslow. Focus groups and workshops were held with residents, young people and a wide range of community groups have been involved in the discussion.
The interviews were conducted with key local service providers including NHS Hounslow and the Metropolitan Police, as well as representatives from the council in education and housing. Local businesses and Hounslow Chamber of Commerce were contacted through a questionnaire. Meetings were also held with major land owners from the town centre.
There was also the opportunity for the community to comment on the future of the town centre using our online electronic form available on our website or by completing pre-paid postcards that were distributed throughout the town centre and at community venues. We received over 250 responses.
An exhibition was held in the town centre to present to local people a summary of the key issues raised by local residents and businesses with some initial ideas for the future. Presentations and discussions about the project were also shown. More than 40 people had their views recorded for a film that will be put together to reveal how local people feel.
Based on the consultation findings and research, we have now produced a visioning plan which sets out our longer-term vision for Hounslow. The plan is based on four key areas.
These are:
1. Destination Hounslow
We would like to increase the range of activities during the day and evenings by increasing the range of shops and leisure uses. We want people to make good use of the existing facilities such as the theatre and library but also promote these areas through a programme of arts, festivals and events.
2. Doing business in Hounslow
We want to encourage businesses to re-locate to Hounslow. We will provide an attractive environment for workers and focus business on the creation of an office quarter at the western end of the High Street. The council could also explore opportunities to enhance its presence in the town centre through the organisation of civic events.
3. A place to live
We want to provide high quality new homes of the right type and size to meet the needs of local people. We want to promote Kingsley Road as a local centre to provide for the day-to-day needs of residents.
4. Serving the community
Continue the process of engagement with the local community, and seek to provide new meeting and event spaces sought by existing community groups.
As well as setting the vision plan for the longer term development of Hounslow, the visioning document also identifies a number of shorter-term initiatives that could be delivered to set the stage for change by restoring pride in Hounslow.
Download the A Brighter future for Hounslow town centre, see right of this page, under Documents for download.
The next step is to put in place the necessary strategies and plans to the community’s longer-term vision for the future of Hounslow town centre. This will include the identification of potential development sites, proposed land uses, key pedestrian and transport routes, and the appropriate scale of new buildings.
