What Brentford’s growth plan now promises

Published Thursday 29 October 2026

See the new growth safeguards, prepare for the leisure-centre rebuild and pick from five Halloween-weekend ideas.

Top Updates

Growth plan adds homes, jobs and local links

Hounslow’s latest Local Plan changes put numbers on growth across the Great West Corridor: 9,514 homes and 131,600 square metres of extra employment space. Our review of the 378-page modifications schedule also found new requirements for better routes between the River Brent Quarter, Boston Manor Park and nearby green spaces, plus social infrastructure alongside development. The figures guide future planning decisions; they are not permission for individual schemes. Eligible previous respondents have until 5pm today to comment on the specified examination changes.

Leisure-centre closure is now expected in 2028

Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre is expected to remain open until 2028, subject to planning and procurement, before closing for demolition and construction. Comparing the project’s new practical answers with January’s approved brief shows there will be no temporary leisure centre and the emerging design has no general public car park. Blue Badge, servicing and drop-off access are planned. The replacement will include pools, but detailed designs and firm closure dates have not yet been set.

Final day for Boston Manor traffic objections

Friday 30 October is the deadline for formal objections to the traffic-order parts of Hounslow’s Boston Manor Road crossing proposal. The plan would move the crossing south of The Ride, make it suitable for walkers and cyclists, change weekday waiting restrictions outside Nos. 125–133 and redraw part of the morning bus lane. The wider design survey has closed, but the statutory response route remains open by email, quoting P053-26. No decision or works date has been announced.

Dates For Your Diary

Saturday 7 to Sunday 29 November

Osterley lights up for Diwali

Osterley Park’s second Marigold Festival will fill the house and gardens with light projections, family activities and decorations made with local community groups. Activities run from 11am to 3pm on open days; check Osterley’s live event programme for daily details and admission arrangements before visiting.

Friday 13 to Saturday 21 November

Brentford’s equal-pay strike takes the stage

The Questors in Ealing stages On the Line, a fictionalised drama marking 50 years since the Trico factory strike in Brentford. Evening shows start at 7.45pm, with a Sunday matinee; standard tickets cost £14–£25 and the production is recommended for ages 10+.

What's On

Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October

Outrun the Zombie Train in Brentford, 6.30–9.30pm · £18. The London Museum of Water and Steam stays open late for an immersive Zombie Train with scare actors, music and a bar. Train rides have 20-minute booked slots. It is aimed at adults, though accompanied under-18s who are comfortable with scares may attend.

Thursday 29 October

Meet other small-business owners in Brentford, 10am–noon · visitors £15, members £12. Fabulous Networking hosts a relaxed, seated Brentford networking morning at Vantage London on Great West Road. Visitors can attend up to three meetings before deciding whether to join; reserve a place online and pay on arrival. Free attendee parking is available.

Saturday 31 October

Follow Northfields’ Halloween allotment trail, 2.30–7.30pm · £2. Witches, scarecrows and ghostly sheds fill Northfields Allotments’ timed trail. Under-threes go free and tickets will not be sold at the gate. Enter from Mattock Lane and bring a torch after 5pm; last entry is 6.30pm.

Sunday 1 November

Browse Chiswick Flower Market, 9am–3.30pm · free. Around 35 nurseries, growers and plant sellers gather at Chiswick Flower Market in Old Market Place on Chiswick High Road. The volunteer-run monthly market is free to enter and its next date is Sunday.

Until Sunday 1 November

Find Gunnersbury’s creepy creatures, 10am–4pm · £2. Eight creatures are hidden around Gunnersbury Park on its Creepy Creatures Nature Trail, with facts about why each matters. It suits ages 3+, needs no booking and runs daily through Sunday.

Roadworks and Transport

Match-day traffic around the Gtech on Saturday: Brentford host Nottingham Forest at 3pm on Saturday 31 October. The club warns that kick-off times can change, so check the fixture before travelling. Expect the usual match-day demand around Kew Bridge and Lionel Road; use official journey planners for live service information.