PROPOSALS for two developments by Gunnersbury station, West Chiswick and Chiswick Business Park, have provoked concerns from local residents groups.

The Chiswick Business Park proposals, which will see two tower blocks of 9 and 12 storeys at the end of the development, rather than the initially planned one of eight storeys.

Chris Hill, secretary of the Acton Green Residents Association, explained: "Obviously the sheer presence and visual impact is quite significant to several roads in the area, including Ivy Crescent, Bollo Lane and Weston Road.

"With this also comes issues such as the effect of natural light, particularly the winter sun, and the impact of the light pollution from the buildings. We are also concerned that there appear to have been no studies done on the impact of wind funnelling around the buildings.

"Some studies in the past have shown that the disturbance on wind can extend 40 times further than the height of a building. The tallest building also appears to have been located closest to the residential area."

He continued: "The impact of the additional traffic from employees is a concern. There was a South Acton station study undertaken in 2001, but already the number of people entering the site from the Bollo Lane entrance seems far in excess of the anticipated results of that study.

"With the northern end of the development not yet built and a 28% square footage increase at that end of the site, we do feel that another revision of the survey of passenger movements and foot traffic between South Acton station and the site needs to be undertaken. It is woefully out of date, particularly in view of the reduced amount of parking that these two buildings would cause on the residential streets."

He added that they also had concerns regarding the Section 106 money (for improving transport links etc) which would have to be re-negotiated if new plans were approved.

Chairman of residents group, West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society, Terry Thorn agreed to explain the reasons for local opposition to the Chiswick West Plans.

The initial proposal for a 28 storey tower-block on the site was rejected by Hounslow Council planners, but developers Clifton Cape are currently in the process of appealing that decision.

But new proposals, recently submitted to the Chiswick Area Committee for comment, comprise a 12,10 and eight storey building on the original site next to the BSI building, with six and three storey buildings on the site of the houses to the west of the John Bull and a four storey building to the south.

There would be a total of 273 flats, mostly one and two bedroom, of which 37% would be affordable housing.

Terry told the Times their reasons for objecting to both sets of plans.

"We are still objecting to the original 28 storey application and will make our representations at the public enquiry.

"The local authority will be taking the lead on that inquiry and we will, in effect, be supporting the local authority in that."

On the new plans he commented: "Firstly, the proposals are completely out of context. To have a 12, 10 and 8 storey development in what is conservation area where highest building is about 3 storeys is crazy and would also involve the demolition of perfectly good buildings, some of which are nice residential properties and local shops.

"Secondly, the plans also don't conform to the 50% affordable housing requirements.

"The developers are only proposing 37% and they get to this by concentrating almost exclusively on studio flats, which are effectively bedsits, and one bed flats.

"This defeats the whole point of affordable housing as these units will become used for transient purposes and a burden on the local authority, rather than helping key workers with families remain in the area."

He also expressed grave concerns about the lack of parking allocation for the smaller six storey development in an area that already has a high demand for street parking.

He warned that the impact on transport around Gunnersbury Station could bring the situation to "breaking point" as it was already struggling to cope with the increased demand created by Chiswick Business Park.

He added that the process of consultation by Clifton Cape had been "not fair or open."

The consultation process had not been open to the general public and that "the whole process of the way planning applications are dealt with is biased in favour of developers."