15th January 2007

West London landmark wins backing from Local Authority.

The London Borough of Hounslow’s Sustainable Development Committee has resolved to grant planning permission and listed building consent for the Bonnington Group’s Masterplan for the redevelopment of Gillette’s former European Headquarters site in West London. The Masterplan proposals prepared by HOK propose the conversion and extension of the impressive Grade II listed Gillette Building to create a new high quality 505 bed hotel and the provision of 47,000sq.m of modern flexible business space.

The Gillette Company (Gillette) took the decision in 2003 to close their office and production facility at Gillette Corner and relocate their manufacturing operations to Eastern Europe. Since then, Gillette has been progressively down-scaling their operation and relocating staff and equipment. All production activity ceased at the facility in April 2006 and Gillette will completely vacate the site during the early part of 2007. The Bonnington Group acquired the Gillette Corner site at the end of 2005 after an extensive tendering process and will take vacant possession of the site in early 2007.

The new scheme will protect the site’s rich heritage, retaining, converting, extending and refurbishing the well-known landmark, adapting it for a new life as a hotel. The rear of the site will be re-developed for business accommodation, replacing Gillette’s former factory and warehouse facilities. The scheme offers an ‘employment-led’ solution that reflects the long-standing planning policy objectives for the site. The proposals also have the backing of both the 20th Century Society and English Heritage.

Responding to the outcome of the LB Hounslow’s Committee, Alan Bostock of the Bonnington Group, said: ‘This is the first important step in achieving the long-term regeneration of this important West London site following Gillette’s departure. Our development team has worked tirelessly with the Council’s Planning Team to ensure that we achieve the right development solution. We are very excited about the opportunity to deliver a fully-integrated world-class ‘business campus’, containing flexible business floorspace and a high quality hotel, contained within a high quality landscaped environment and fully serviced by a number of ancillary uses.’

Discussions are continuing with the London Mayor (who has the final say over whether planning permission can be issued by the Council) to secure his support for the Masterplan proposals. Furthermore, negotiations are taking place with LB Hounslow to finalise the package of S.106 Agreement measures to be provided as part of the current proposals. The Bonnington Group is hopeful that all matters will be resolved within the next 2 months to enable works to start on-site in the middle of 2007.

The overall Masterplan for the site has been developed by HOK with Rolfe Judd Planning and Motion Transport Planning. The Bonnington Group has also been advised by Atisreal and Buro Happold. HOK has provided master planning, architecture, conservation and landscaping services.

© 2007 The Bonnington Group. | Group Info