About Us

The Society was set up over 50 years ago (25th July 1957), when the older buildings in many areas of London were being assessed against criteria for hygienic living conditions, with a view to clearing them to make way for modern housing. Whilst this seems obvious to us today, the conservation of buildings was in general a very new idea then. The Society took the view that it was entirely possible to retain the old buildings and their setting whilst making them fit for modern living. 

Since its beginnings, OCPS has had a great many successes. Its first was in 1957 when it helped prevent Riverside, Cygnet House, Oak Cottage, Magnolia House and Thamescote on Chiswick Mall from being demolished and a block of flats built in their stead. OCPS was supported enormously in its aims when in 1969 Old Chiswick was designated a Conservation Area by the London Borough of Hounslow London Borough of Hounslow.  Since then, we have been able to use this designation to help protect Old Chiswick. For more about what it is we are trying to protect, please see About Old Chiswick. 

This means Old Chiswick can be enjoyed today because of the vision and energies of a relatively small number of dedicated members over the years.

OCPS became a Registered Charity (No. 293123) in 1985.