Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents opposing access arrangements to West Drayton Leisure Centre from Rowlheys Place. The lead petitioner was not in attendance but had submitted a written representation. Key points highlighted included:

1.     The increase in vehicles and pedestrians entering Rowlheys Place to access the new proposed leisure centre would lead to more risk to residents of Rowlheys Place and Stainby Close in terms of pollution, which would have a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of residents.

2.     The unfamiliar access wouldl lead to an increase in accidents. Crossing Rowlheys Place while people were rushing to leave the gym and go to work at the same time was not safe and was an accident waiting to happen.

3.     The level of noise pollution due to the early morning and late night traffic and opening hours (raising and closing of metal shutters) were unreasonable and not acceptable to residents.

4.     There was an increased risk of anti-social behaviour and drug use because people felt it was a quiet road where they would not be caught. Residents feared this may become a common occurrence and were concerned about threats to residents who objected to the behaviour.

5.     The narrowing of Rowlheys Place would be more of an inconvenience to residents than a deterrent to non-residents.

6.     Access to the leisure centre from Harmondsworth Road was a safer and more viable option. A winding path was suggested. The Council needed to take into account the emotional, health and well-being factors of residents living with the local area.

7.     Access from Harmondsworth Road was closer to local bus stops.

A written representation was received from Councillor Duncan, as Ward Councillor for West Drayton, in support of the petition. Key points highlighted were:

• A Parking Management Scheme for Stainby Close and Rowlheys Place was requested as it was believed that a majority of residents supported this.
• Councillor Duncan supported the residents regarding their petition and the possible effects on access and parking arrangements in the area resulting from the West Drayton Leisure Centre, which had been granted planning permission on an adjacent site.
• There would be parking pressures in both roads (Rowlheys Place and Stainby Close) arising from the Leisure Centre next door and a Parking Management Scheme wouldd need to be put in place in both roads, preferably before works commenced on site.
• Councillor Duncan supported signage and any other measures that would protect residents’ parking and maintain the quiet, residential character of Stainby Close and Rowlheys Place.
• It was hoped that it would be possible to co-ordinate the approval and implementation of a Parking Management Scheme with the development of the Leisure Centre to protect residents’ parking and their peaceful environment.

A written representation was received from Councillor Sweeting, as Ward Councillor for West Drayton, in support of the petition. Key points highlighted were:

• The proposed development of the leisure centre was likely to have a profound impact on those residents living closest to it. Rowlheys Place and Stainby Close were quiet residential roads accessed mainly by residents and their visitors. The leisure facility was likely to change this as it would be used by many residents and local roads would become more crowded and congested.
• A route into the site from Harmondsworth Road was preferable as it was a major highway, rather than the quiet cul-de-sac of Rowlheys Place.
• Residents wanted the Council to do everything within its power to mitigate against the negative effects which were likely to result from this development, namely the use of their local roads for free parking, the increase of cars using Rowlheys Place and Stainby Close and consequent noise, by consulting on Parking Management Schemes for these areas. This could then be put out for formal consultation to residents and, if approved by the majority, the scheme could be implemented before the West Drayton Leisure Centre was opened for public use.
• Councillor Sweeting asked the Cabinet Member to consider traffic calming measures which could deter visitors using the leisure centre from using these local roads.
• Councillor Sweeting asked officers to consider any other measures to limit access to these two local roads by visitors to the leisure centre.

Councillor Burrows noted that point 4 of the petition organiser's submission (in relation to antisocial behaviour) was not relevant as this was an opinion, without evidence. Point 6 had been covered at the Planning Committee in March 2020 at which time it had been deemed unsafe to access the Leisure Centre from Harmondsworth Road. Councillor Burrows noted that he could not overturn decisions taken by the Planning Committee.

Councillor Burrows observed that traffic calming measures as suggested by Ward Councillor Sweeting would not necessarily deter people from using the road. It was suggested that, as Rowlheys Place was a cul-de-sac, a 'resident parking only' sign would resolve the issue and deter non-resident parking.

RESOLVED:

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation:

1.     Noted their request for the access to the proposed West Drayton Leisure Centre to be moved from Rowlheys Place to Harmondsworth Road;

2.     Advised petitioners that the planning application for the development was discussed at Planning Committee and has already been approved and that there is no opportunity to reverse this decision; and

3.     Asked officers to add the request for a parking management scheme in Rowlheys Place and Stainby Close and directional signage to the proposed leisure centre to the parking programme.

Reasons for decisions

The Petition Hearing provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the petitioners of their concerns and suggestions.

Alternative options considered / risk management

None at this stage.