Introducing a Conservation Area for Brentford High Street was one of the recommendations of the community vision for Brentford High Street.  Responding to a letter to local councillors from Brentford Community Council and Brentford Chamber of Commerce, on 22 January 2009 Mike Jordan, Director for Environmental Services, LB Hounslow in a presentation to Isleworth and Brentford Local Area Committee:

"[argued local listing] carried no protection and it was unclear how 'locally listing' would support the vitality of the High Street. Similarly any suggestions to extend the Conservation Area to include the whole of Brentford were inconsistent with the Plan and needed to be decided on their own merits. Members were aware that development of land south of the high street was actively sought."

Correcting the minutes at the local area committee on 19 February 2009 Cllr Dakers pointed out that he disputed this point arguing that local listing gave a strong indication  of the value the local community put on specific buildings.

"[On 22 January] Mike Jordan acknowledged that there was a case for selective extension and noted his readiness to introduce such extensions where there was a threat of premature demolition. Officers were monitoring the situation but there was currently no case for a wholesale declaration. Members were minded that there was a need to work with land owners. Conservation Area designation would not assist re-use and may hinder it.  The Authority was promoting the phased rebuilding of the Town Centre to a human scale, as finance for an incremental approach may be more accessible in the current economic climate. Officers supported having a master plan but acknowledged that it could be implemented in phases. Discussions with Ballymore this week suggested the company was moving towards a phased approach – either due to “credit crunch” or due to the asking price for the remaining parcels of land. Mike Jordan acknowledged that some things would be harder to achieve using an incremental approach, such as a Waterman’s replacement.

"Councillor Dakers supported the selected extension of the Conservation Area to protect the local area whilst reviewing future development. He asked whether there was currently any clear indication on whether Ballymore could be brought back into negotiations on land south of the high street.

"[Cllr Cadbury] asked why there was a need to wait for potential development activity in a particular area before considering protection using a Conservation Area extension. In response Mike Jordan assured members that there was no impediment to declaring extensions to conservation areas."

The High Street Steering Group will continue to work with partner organisations to press the case for local listing and will now focus on the selected extension of the Conservation area.