Planning
Threat to the Future of Ruislip Golf Course, Feb 2009
for reports prior to this see Planning Archive.
(Includes items published in LBH Weekly Planning Lists between 29/05/09 & 27/06/09)
Current Applications
The application to move the Amusement Arcade from No 70 to No 80 High Street is still under consideration.
Recent Decisions
56-58 High Street - The proposed new KFC house sign spanning both premises was refused.
Berkley House, Bury Street - New block paved parking forecourt approved. However fairly strict conditions have been applied in respect of the measures required protecting the existing listed trees.
St Martin’s Church, High Street - Letter sent to the Council commenting on the obtrusive nature of the flag sign over the lych gate.
New Applications
16-18 Kingsend – Conversion and extension of existing dwellings to provide 3x 1 bed and 8 x 2bed flats. An additional application for Conservation Area consent has also been submitted. It is proposed that we liaise with Sue Browne as to whether any comment is required from the Association.
53 Pinn Way – A large two storey side and rear extension. A resident has expressed concern at the size and ultimate use of the enlarged building. It is proposed to send a letter of comment to the Council.
67 Dartmouth Road – two storey semi detached house.
Appeals to the Planning Inspectorate
157-161 High Street (Pembroke Road frontage) – Against the Council’s refusal of an application for 13 flats. We have written to the Inspectorate reiterating our original objection and supporting the Council’s refusal decision.
173 West End Road – Against the Council’s refusal of an application to reconstruct the roof as an additional floor. It is proposed to send a letter to the Planning Inspectorate supporting the Council’s decision as the proposal would be over dominant on the surrounding properties.
(Includes items published in LBH Weekly Planning Lists between 02-23 April 2009)
70 & 80 High
Street
Letter sent to the Council objecting to the proposed transfer of the Amusement
Arcade from No 70 to No 80.
Concern has also been raised that the applicant has not yet complied with
Condition on the original approval i.e. in respect of the shopfront. The
Council’s Enforcement Team has advised us they are monitoring this pending the
outcome of the current applications.
56-58 High Street
Letter sent to the Council commenting on the
impact the proposed new KFC house sign would have on the Conservation Area.
41-55 Windmill Hill
The developer is proposing to replace one underground parking space with a pump
room, which is apparently required due to low water pressure on the site.
It is claimed that the remaining parking places would still be within the
Council’s standards for both residential and commercial elements of the
development.
The applicant is also reporting that terms for a 15-year lease have been agreed
with Dreams plc for the retail units.
11A Sharps Lane (Conservation Area)
Application to cover red brick elevations with off white render.
Proposed Mobile Phone Mast
A letter of objection on behalf of concerned local residents has been sent in
respect of a proposal to erect an 11.5 metre mobile phone mast near the junction
of Breakspear Road and Fine Bush Lane.
(Includes items published in LBH Weekly Planning Lists between 28 March & 25 April 2009)
Ruislip Golf Course, Ickenham Road
Although the Council website is showing this application as still under
consideration, we have been informed by Cllr Corthorne and the Planning
Department that Top Golf have withdrawn the application.
RAF Uxbridge
Following the adoption of the Council’s Supplementary Planning
Document for this site the developer, VSM Estates Ltd, have arranged a public
exhibition showing details of their proposed redevelopment. This will be
at St Margaret’s Church, Windsor Street, Uxbridge from 12 noon-8pm on Friday
15 May, and between 10am-3pm on Saturday 16 May.
70 & 80 High Street
Ablethird are proposing to relocate their
current Arcade operation at No 70 to the vacant premises at No 80 ( formerly
SupaSnaps). The principle of an Amusement Arcade in this Parade was
established on Appeal in July 2006. However the site has recently been
included in the extended Conservation Area. Also it appears that a
condition of the original consent relating to the shop window was never carried
out.
56-58 High Street
In September 2008 the Council granted consent
for the incorporation of No 58 (formerly Ocean) into the Kentucky Fried Chicken
at No 58. An application has now been submitted for a new shopfront and
signage to both premises.
Berkley House, Bury Street
A letter has been sent to the Council commenting on the impact the proposed
front area parking would have on the street scene and the existing listed trees.
(Includes items published in LBH Weekly Planning Lists published between 28 February & 21 March 2009)
Ruislip Golf Course, Ickenham Road
Application for new driving range still under consideration.
Recent Applications
Tesco Express, 58-64 Park Way – Variation of condition to allow change of servicing hours from 09.30-17.00 to 07.00-18.00 weekdays (532/APP/2009/439).
Review of the Local List of Buildings of Architectural or Historic Importance
The current Local List is in need of updating and the Council is seeking views on the existing entries and ideas for new additions. The consultation runs until 17 April 2009 and further details are available at nchakraborty@hillingdon.gov.uk
(Includes items published in LBH Weekly Planning Lists
published between 24 January and 21 February 2009)
Update on Recent Applications
8 Kingsend – Appeal lodged against Council refusal of a two bed house in rear garden.
2 Windmill Hill – Application for a block of 4x2 bed three storey back to back houses approved (2008/2951).
Ruislip Golf Course, Ickenham Road
Comment letter sent to Council (previously circulated to committee by email). .
Recent Applications
2 Brixham Crescent – Conversion of dwelling to one 2 storey four bed house and one 1 bed flat to rear (2009/180)
Threat to the Future of Ruislip Golf Course, Feb 2009
On the 15/12/2008, Top Golf Limited submitted a planning application to Hillingdon council. Details can be found at; http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid10058
The details of this application centre around the replacement of part of the existing Golf Course at Ruislip, notably the existing 16th and 17th holes and significant parts of the existing 10th and 15th holes, with a vast two storey building and range housing a Top Golf gaming facility.
We have spoken to Pat Lomax (Ladies Club Captain) who tells us that club members are not happy about the proposal. The club was founded 1936 and has 180 members, including a flourishing youth section. It also provides "Pay and Play" facility for the general public. The club is affiliated to the National Association of Public Golf Courses. Both adult and junior sections have been successful in the Association's competitions.
The existing Clubhouse is
operated by the Spirit Group (a
subsidiary of Punch Taverns), who sub-let a room at no
cost to the Club. There has been no
prior consultation by the council with the Club,
although a Cabinet decision dated 20/03/08 agreed to
discussions with Top Golf and assumption of £5-6m
expenditure. The first the club knew of the application was when a member
received a letter informing neighbours in Hill Rise. The
20/03/08 decision also included an agreement to let
the management of the existing course to Mack
Trading. This is now operating. The agreement included a break clause to
allow for a possible lease to Top Golf, in which case
the area subject of the lease would be adjusted. In the event of agreement not
being reached with Top Golf, the council would invite
Mack to upgrade existing facility at a
cost of £350k. The Spirit Group
are believed to have recently spent £1m on
improvements to Clubhouse/Restaurant building.
The Club view is that loss of 4 holes will render the
club unviable. So rather than upgrading or improving
a facility the proposal would destroy one.
Top Golf is an entertainment facility rather than a
sporting one. Apparently their facilities provide food
and drink at the driving bays. The going rate for
100 balls at Ruislip Golf
Club is £4 whilst it is double this
at Top Golf. Another concern is the ecological
impact. Apart from the loss
of mature trees, some
which are over 50 years old, there would also be a detrimental effect on the
local habitat as a result of replacing natural grass with astroturf.
Government policy in the new Local Development Framework encourages
consultation by developers at an early stage. Both Wimpey
and Cala Homes have done this on the RAF sites at Eastcote and Ickenham. Yet
this planning application is for an important
local site in the Green Belt and there has been no prior consultation.
(Includes items published in LBH Planning Lists dated 03, 10 & 17 January 2009)
Update in Recent Applications
1/1A Larne Road – Two bed chalet bungalow involving demolition of existing garages approved.
Hillingdon Borough FC, Breakspear Road – Variation of existing permission to allow use of astroturf
floodlights between 0.800-22.00 hours (Mon-Sat) and 0.900-22.00 hours (Sun/BH) approved
Ruislip Golf Course, Ickenham Road – Comment letter in preparation.
Recent Applications
Ruislip Baptist Church, Manor Way – Two storey building comprising replacement hall, meeting rooms and ancillary facilities (2008/3384).
Whiteheath Junior School, Whiteheath Ave – Single storey Sports Hall (2008/ )
JJ Moons, 12 Victoria Road – New deck area and fence to front (2009/41)
Ruislip Station, Station Approach – Electronic Update Board in ticket hall (Listed Building application 2009/55)
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Local
Development Framework
A draft Supplementary Planning Document has been published for consultation.
Known as Public Realm it aims to define public areas which people can view or
visit and covers areas as diverse as open spaces to bus stops. The document may
be viewed on the LBH website or in public libraries.
Planning Policy
On minor applications Council policy has been that if any objections are
received the matter is referred to committee for a decision. Where no
objections were received the application would be decided by officers under
delegated powers. The Council has now changed this policy. In future, where
only one adjacent owner/occupier is objecting, the application will be decided
under delegated powers. However an enquiry to the Planning Dept has established
that Ward Councillors may still refer individual applications to Committee if
they consider it appropriate.
Replacement of Houses with Flats
The Association is concerned about this trend. The council must fulfil the
London Plan by providing increased housing. The developers are keen to build
flats here because of the high returns due to the character of the area whilst
simultaneously threatening that very character.
Lack of Enforcement
The council has admitted publicly that there are no staff or funds to enable
enforcement. The committee have expressed our concern. This has been put forward
to the planning scrutiny committee.
Choice of Planning Applications Featured
The planning applications featured above have been chosen for one of three
reasons :
their size
because they set a precedent
a number of people have objected and asked for the Association's support
they affect the High Street or the Conservation Area
If you are aware of any other proposed developments of a similar nature whose progress is causing you to be concerned then please contact us, see Feedback.
Section 106 Money
If a development is quite sizeable the developer will be required to pay
Section 106 money. This is an agreement that 25% of the development should be
for social housing, but if this is not suitable an amount of money can be
extracted for use on social housing elsewhere in the borough; a sum must be paid
for extra school places and for an environment fund.
Unitary Development Plan
The Unitary Development Plan (U.D.P) contains the council's global planning
guidelines.
Thinking of Extending your house ?
Have a look at this document which explains Hillingdon's requirements for
extensions to houses
http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/environment/planning/residential.pdf
Planning Processing Time
The average delay for an application is currently 3 months, non-contentious
applications may be processed more quickly.
Planning is represented by committee members John Williams and Mike Hodge.
If you have any views on the above please let us know see Feedback