Agenda and minutes

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting an article 4 direction in the Raisins Hill area of special local character. The petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

·         The petition organiser had been a resident for 32 years and the petition had been signed by 100 residents which was approximately 69/135 dwellings. Five dwellings declined to sign the petition.

·         Hillingdon Council designated Raisins Hill as an area of special local character in 2012 after consultation with residents.

·         The area had a well-defined character. 

·         Residents were unhappy with the degradation of the area of special local character which was caused by permitted development rules. These rightsallowed home owner to make significant changes to their roofs without the need to apply for planning permission.

·         There had been an increase in these types of roofs and it was argued that this did not preserve the local character.

·         Roofs were one of the primary characteristics of the area of special local character affecting more than just one aspect of the designation.

·         Petitioners requested protection as it was damaging the coherence of the architectural designs. The townscape significance as the character and hierarchy of spaces and interesting vistas along the streets and views between buildings were being spoilt.

·         The petitioner referred the Cabinet Member and officers to some photographs demonstrating the changes to the roof scapes.

·         Petitioners requested an article 4 direction to be obtained to restrict permitted development changes to roofs in Raisins Hill area of special local character so that planning applications would have to be made if there were going to be changes to roofs.  Petitioners requested this only in relation to the permitted development of roofs.

·         Petitioners acknowledged that there were a number of steps involved and it would not be easy to obtain the article 4 direction, however petitioners were also willing to accept other suitable solutions.

·         Overall residents were unhappy with the roofs and wanted to protect the area.

Councillor Duncan Flynn attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He noted the issues and concerns raised by residents. He explained that Raisins Hill was a rare road in terms of its structure and layout, houses had similar materials and there was good quality housing in the area. The road had seen a number of different applications and substantial changes. He appreciated that national planning policy limited what could be done. He also accepted that an article 4 direction was not an easy process but did not consider it to be an unreasonable expectation. He sympathised with residents and hoped that this petition would be the start of some meaningful dialogue with a positive outcome.

Councillor Jonathan Bianco attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He shared the views of Councillor Flynn and sympathised with residents. He saw both sides and was pleased to see this petition was not completely anti-development. He asserted that within reason owners should be able to develop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting a zebra crossing. In support of the petition, the petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

·         A petition with 311 signatures had been submitted to the Council requesting a zebra crossing.

·         It was explained that children from two primary schools, Laurel Lane School and St Martins School crossed the roads on a weekly basis to attend church, and on average there was at least 192 children crossing the road. It was difficult to manage this especially with some children that have special needs which created a greater element of risk.

·         There was also a park near the road, with no gated entrance that was used by children regularly.

·         With the layout of the road, drivers did not have clear forward visibility of the road.

·         St Martins School was a specialist resource for children with ADHT and AST, and there were more challenges involved when crossing roads. 

·         Hillingdon’s Road Safety and School Travel Team have  worked with children to encourage them to cross roads safely.

·         Church Road was also used as a rat run, and visibility was limited. It was a dangerous road with bends and parked cars blocking the view. It was often used to skip the main part of town as a short cut.

·         Even during weekends and evenings it was busy as other group activities took place nearby. The road was generally busy at all times and used by the general public for a number of reasons.

·         There was a significant concern for the elderly and children crossing the road.

·         Petitioners requested preventative measures to be put in place and urged the Cabinet Member and officers to keep the crossing safe.

Councillor Stuart Mathers attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He agreed with all the submissions made and explained that the primary purpose for the zebra crossing was to protect children and provide a safe area for them to cross. During off peak times, the road was more dangerous and the introduction of a parking management scheme would mean that there would be fewer cars on the roads and it would be clearer. It was important that parking bays did not block vision on the road. The road was used for speeding and rat runs, and it was only going to get worse. The road was used for community events and the recent success of the cycle event was well received by the local community. Councillor Mathers asked the Cabinet Member and officers if the road could be made safer.

Councillor Jan Sweeting submitted the following, which were supported by Councillor Janet Duncan:

I support the petition because:

1.    Church Road is a dangerous road with numerous reports of 'near misses' by residents living in Church Road.

2.    Many instances of 'road rage' again reported by residents as it is a busy 'rat run' for cars as well as for heavy lorries and vans.

3.    Not only the speed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting a double yellow lines and a residents permit parking scheme in Goulds Green. In support of the petition, the petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

·         Goulds Green was a small road with only 20 houses. The petition had been signed by almost every household on the street with the exception of one.

·         Goulds Green used to be a quiet road, however recently up to 30 untaxed vehicles were being parked on the street which was impacting residential parking.

·         A household was using the property for commercial purposes and the Council had been informed and already commenced enforcement proceedings, serving notices. The impact of the commercial premises meant that parking was limited for residents as uninsured and untaxed cars were taking up available parking spaces.

·         Clarity was sought on whether vehicles could be parked on the pavement or half up on the pavements.  The last penalty noticed issued in relation to this was in 2005, however there were no signs to confirm what was allowed.

·         Requested that Golds Green be made safer for all its residents by creating double yellow lines at both junctions of Goulds Green and by introducing a parking management scheme.

Councillor Scott Farley attended the meeting as Ward Councillor and supported the petition and comments made by the petitioner. He expressed sympathy for the residents and agreed that introducing double yellow lines would enhance safety. Councillor Farley asked Councillor Burrows and officers to also bear in mind the potential impacts of introducing a parking permit on neighbouring roads. He questioned whether there would be a knock on effect and asked for this to be considered when making a decision.

Councillor Janet Gardner submitted the following comments for the meeting:

I presume this is a result of complaints from residents (one who came to our ward surgery in July) who live in Goulds Green , 

one of the main complaints was regarding inconsiderate parking of a great many vehicles,(some untaxed) by another of the residents, who apparently operates a car mechanics premises from his premises, which I am sure isn't permitted in a residential street

So.

If it makes life more bearable for the residents of the road to enter and exit their premises, and deters the running of a business from the local streets, then I don't see why anyone would have any objections to double yellows in the Goulds Green area.

I am hoping that if this is permitted then there will be monitoring of the surrounding area by our enforcement teams on a regular basis, just to check that the untaxed and cars for sale are not moved from Goulds Green and parked up on the other side of Harlington Rd, which is in Botwell Ward

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. Councillor Burrows noted that concerns raised in relation to the commercial use of a property and had regard to the enforcement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.