How the Difficult Decision on Gunnersbury Park was Made

Brentford West councillor Craig Owen reports back

Brentford West councillor Craig Owen

September 17, 2026

I intended to start this month’s update with a light-hearted tale about finding a Brentford connection in an unexpected place… but you’ll have to wait until the end of the update for that. Instead, I’ll start with an issue that has dominated my August – Gunnersbury Park. 

For those who haven’t followed this story – the Gunnersbury Park Community Interest Company (CIC), a not-for-profit organisation that runs the park on behalf of Hounslow and Ealing Councils, has been seeking planning permission for a multi-year programme of events. These events would raise funds to help the CIC pay for maintaining the park and its heritage assets, as its funding mix changes over time. 

The CIC currently operates under a premises licence which permits a range of small, medium, large and special events, subject to different capacity, duration and annual limits. Separately, Permitted Development Rights (PDR) allow for the temporary change of use of the park, not requiring permission, for up to 28 days in a calendar year. The 28-day PDR allowance must accommodate the temporary use of the site, while events also require time for the installation and removal of stages, fencing, and other infrastructure. This is why the CIC has historically had to seek individual planning permission for events beyond the 28-day PDR allowance. 

In 2025, the CIC requested permission to hold 28 live event days over a ten-year period but withdrew the application. The CIC subsequently submitted an application for 22 live event days over a five-year period, which we were asked to determine. Fast forward to 6th August – the date of the Planning Committee to consider this application. On one side – the economic and cultural benefits to the borough, as well as giving the CIC more space to raise money for the upkeep of the park. On the other side – the noise and potential anti-social behaviour that comes with large live music events, as well as the impact on normal park users of sections of the park being fenced off. I must state that as a Planning Committee, we are there to represent the interests of the Borough as a whole and not solely our individual wards – but the views of our residents naturally weigh heavily on our minds. I also had to put aside to an extent my own experience of living on the edge of Gunnersbury Park during previous summers when events were held. 

After a debate and hearing from those present, I determined that 22 event days were too many to ask residents living around the park and park users to bear, despite the recommendation from planning officers to accept the application. I asked the CIC if they were willing to ask for permission for fewer event days. The CIC were indeed willing and so we voted to defer the application, to allow the CIC to go away and think again. In the meantime, and following my questions to the CIC and representations to officers, the revised application also bought the trackway into the total number of change of use days; made provision for two crossing points in the trackway; and explicitly referenced Boston Manor Park as a venue with which the CIC should co-ordinate with when organising events. 

On 3rd September, we debated this revised application with a reduced number of days: 19, with one fewer ‘Band 1’ event – in theory, a weekend less of events every summer. I also pursued a condition around community engagement and offering residents within the immediate vicinity of the park free tickets to events. I want to be clear – these tickets should only be made available to the people who are within the noise/bass contours of these events. It is a small gesture that goes a little way to thank people for putting up with something that brings a lot of benefit to the borough as a whole. 

Weighing all of that up with the changes made since 6th August, I determined that the ‘temporary harm’ (to use a planning term) – the noise, the potential anti-social behaviour and the impact on the park – was better mitigated through fewer event days and the other conditions imposed and I voted in favour. I do feel a huge sense of responsibility for people impacted by the noise, and I said during the Committee’s proceedings that I will work with local residents to hold the CIC to account.  

On to other matters this month… Guy and I had a ward walk with officers, which covered the police station site, Brentford Library garden, Orchard Road (to talk about the parking situation – more on that in next month’s update), York Parade, and North Brentford – including Enfield Walk, Enfield Road and Whitestile Road. We covered various issues, including fly tipping, litter, and road surfaces and have an action plan we are working with officers on.  

Weeds also featured heavily, and it has been a very fruitful summer for those guys! The Council’s weed removal programme is now complete, and some areas have had a second visit to tackle some of the bigger weeds. They should have died back now, but if any large weeds remain, please let me know and I will ask Hounslow Highways to visit – or you can report these weeds yourself on FixMyStreet (feel free to forward me the email confirmation of the report so I’m aware). 

On the subject of FixMyStreet – I passed the milestone of 100 reports made since being elected in May. I would love not to have to make daily reports, but sadly, there are people out there fly tipping and littering with no care for residents. I am working closely with dedicated enforcement officers to help tackle fly tipping hotspots, and I hope to have an update soon. We also looked at this issue at Overview and Scrutiny Committee when discussing the APCOA enforcement contract – more on that in next month’s update! 

I was also pleased to get some casework wins: 

• Getting graffiti in the windows of the police station removed and better security for the site, with fewer incursions by kids 
• Getting graffiti removed on the Boston Manor Park sign by the canal 
• Securing recycling provision for a block in the ward 
• Part of Glenhurst Road was deep cleaned again after I raised the state of part of the road with Hounslow Highways. 

And some dates for your diary: 

• Mid-September: Residents in BSTN and BRS CPZs will be asked for views about potential match day parking restrictions. 
• 21 September: Brentford and Syon Area Forum.

And the unexpected Brentford connection you’ve hung on to read? A visit to St. Michael’s Mount in Cornwall threw up the fact that it was gifted to Syon Abbey in our beautiful borough by Henry V! Other literal connections between that part of the world and the borough? The A30! This road starts/finishes (depending on your perspective) at Henlys Roundabout and runs all the way to Land’s End. The Manor of Isleworth was also gifted to the 1st Earl of Cornwall in 1227! Isn’t local history fascinating?  

Until next time! 

Cllr Craig Owen

Brentford West