Hounslow Council welcomed Howard Dawber, London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth to explore key sites and discuss its ambitious plans for regeneration, sustainable growth.
Published: Monday, 20th January 2025
GLA Deputy Mayor Dawber was joined by Hounslow Council Leader Cllr Shantanu Rajawat and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development Cllr Tom Bruce on Thursday (16 January).
The visit highlighted the Opportunity Hounslow Business Case for Growth, which aims to unlock £33 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and create over 18,000 jobs by focusing on transformative projects like Future Feltham and the Golden Mile.
The Golden Mile’s forthcoming centenary in 2025 will be a unique opportunity to celebrate its industrial heritage, drive new investment and deliver on Hounslow’s vision for a modern, sustainable economy.
Discussions during the visit underscored the critical importance of strategic infrastructure projects such as the West London Orbital (WLO), the proposed rail link connecting Hounslow to Old Oak Common and beyond, which is vital to unlocking housing, jobs, and business opportunities, and improving connectivity across West London.
The discussion also centred on ‘Future Feltham’, a bold regeneration plan to transform the area with over 3,000 new homes, 9,200 jobs, and 25,000 sqm of commercial space. The redevelopment of the 12-hectare MOD site will anchor this transformation, creating a vibrant town centre and critical opportunities for housing, employment, and community growth.
Cllr Rajawat emphasised the importance of partnership in achieving these ambitions, noting how collaboration with the GLA, government, and private sector is key to unlocking Feltham’s full potential.
Reflecting on the visit, Cllr Rajawat highlighted the significance of collaboration and the importance of leveraging Hounslow’s unique strengths. He said: “Today’s visit is a testament to Hounslow’s role as a driving force in London’s economy.”
Cllr Bruce, said: “We see how the Golden Mile is evolving into a hub for creative industries, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. Together with partners like the GLA, we are committed to delivering sustainable, inclusive growth that benefits our residents and businesses alike.”
With 71% of London’s media production jobs located in the borough, Hounslow is firmly established as London’s Media Heartland. During the visit, the delegation explored some of the borough’s most dynamic employers, starting with Sky’s Isleworth Campus. As Hounslow’s largest employer, with over 11,000 employees on-site, Sky showcased its contributions to innovation, sustainability, and community impact through projects like the cutting-edge Sky Innovation Centre. The company’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local growth and aligning with Hounslow’s bold vision for the future.
The visit continued to Brompton Technology, a leader in LED video processing and one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech companies. Brompton’s success, highlighted by its recent inclusion in the Sunday Times 100 Tech supplement, underscores Hounslow’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced technology and innovation. Discussions at Brompton focused on the company’s contributions to skills development, its innovation, and the growth of the borough’s tech and creative industries.
Richard Mead, CEO Brompton Tech, said: “West London has always been Brompton Technology’s home and our engineering and manufacturing operations are proudly based here in Hounslow. We enjoyed having the opportunity to showcase the industry-leading work we are doing to deliver unprecedented levels of realism and image quality on LED video displays used around the world for the largest live events and as backdrops for shooting spectacular films and television series. It’s inspiring to see the borough’s bold vision for regeneration and development, and we’re proud to play a role in shaping Hounslow as a hub for advanced technology and creativity on the world stage.”
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor, Business and Growth, said: “I’m excited to see the ambitious plans to transform Hounslow, and the work already underway to help businesses and communities here to thrive. It has been fantastic to meet Hounslow’s businesses, as we work together to build a fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”
For more information about Hounslow’s plans and opportunities, visit https://opportunityhounslow.com/
