A new housing scheme in Brentford that will provide 100 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions has been approved by the council despite opposition from residents.

The four three-bedroom homes, and one four-bedroom house in Orchard Road will have triple glazed windows, a waste-water heat recovery system, an air source heat pump to provide hot water and heating, and solar panels on the roof to generate electricity.

The plan is for five family council rented homes that will contribute to the 5,000 affordable housing pledge made by Hounslow Council and its commitment to build 1,000 Council homes across the borough by 2022.

Orchard Road Residents' Group said the move was not unexpected but with the help of their planning consultant they say they were able to win some important conditions as part of the approval.

Prior to the planning meeting the group took part in an online meeting with ward councillors Steve Curran, Theo Dennison and Katherine Dunne.

Cllr Curran forwarded an addendum report to be included in the meeting to take into account locals' concerns around the lack of parking provision as a result of the building plans.

The report states that no part of the development can begin until replacement parking has been implemented, and that alternative off-road parking provision could be considered for, or as part of the minimum of 16 replacement spaces which the Council claims will be lost.

The Orchard Road group says surveys it carried out suggest this figure is much higher.

In a statement, the residents' group said: "The change does not alter the minimum number of replacement spaces but the introduction of the new spaces will now not rely on stripping out yellow lines and will be subject to a separate consultation process undertaken by the council's parking team.

"The development is conditional on these parking spaces being provided. The local group have requested that as residents they are included in that consultation process along with ward councillors.

"Steve Curran also stated that the Council do not currently have plans to develop the garages area and that he would look at the costs involved in developing a new car park in the area."

Orchard Road Group spokesperson Caroline Stewart added: "So although this development is bad news in terms of the loss of our existing car park, we are now focusing on ensuring we get enough suitable replacement parking implemented prior to any development taking place, and we need to monitor and ensure that the legal agreement regarding the parking provision is binding and adequate."

Cllr Curran said: "The Council is responding to the impact of coronavirus in a bold and ambitious way, while at the same time stimulating a green recovery that will accelerate our commitment to build a greener borough and support the delivery of our Climate Emergency Action Plan.

"The fact is we need more quality council homes and Orchard Road is an exemplary scheme, in zero carbon design, which can now be used to set a blueprint for the future as we set on our ambitious journey to deliver a good standard of housing for families."

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