We the undersigned oppose the proposed demolition of the family home at 72 Harefield Road, Uxbridge and the erection on site of 9 flats containing 16 bedrooms.
We have strong objections to the above planning permission application. We are disappointed that this application has been made, despite repeated rejections by the Council of very similar applications, and their subsequent appeals, by this same applicant.
We are concerned that the applicant is using a tactic of ‘war by attrition’ in order to overcome our objections, despite them all remaining valid.
Our major objections relate to reasons for which the previous
planning applications were rejected and are as follows:
(i) The current application once again prioritises one- and
two-bedroom dwellings (8 of the 9 proposed). This does not align
with the Council’s ethos of providing more family-sized
accommodations that are in-keeping with the character and
appearance of the area. Furthermore, it calls into question the
legitimacy of the current approved planning application (Ref.
APP/R5510/W/23/3335976) as this applicant clearly has no intention
of creating true family homes. It seems they are more concerned
with creating high density, and likely highly profitable, housing.
This re-application for a near identical proposal to the original
rejected application from 2021 despite an approval for 2
semi-detached properties surely now represents evidence of the
applicant’s intentions
(ii) The size of the property’s roof will likely be far too
large in relation to the surrounding area and neighbourhood,
thereby not be in-keeping with the area’s character and
appearance
(iii) There is likely to be a significant effect on the
neighbouring properties, particularly those either side of the
proposed property by reducing their surrounding space, reduce
current open gardens, increasing noise and air pollution. It may
also increase congestion in the area, thereby leading to difficulty
for the existing residents in accessing their own properties. This
all may have an impact upon the property value of the surrounding
properties
Further objections include:
(iv) A significant increase in traffic with the number of cars
hypothetically increasing from eight (if the approved application
Ref. APP/R5510/W/23/3335976 goes ahead) to 13 should the current
re-application (25767/APP/2024/2484) go ahead. Harefield Road is
one of the arterial roads to and from Uxbridge, providing a relief
road to Park Road. The turning circles of the cars from these 9
dwellings will obviously impact the noise and air pollution of the
area as well as causing a build-up of traffic and potentially even
increase likelihood of road traffic accidents in an already busy
and at times dangerous stretch of road.
(v) The amount of green space will be reduced by returning to the
proposed 9 dwellings as the previously planned garden space will
likely now have to be converted to a car park. This again is in
opposition to the previously described ‘verdant nature and
leafy character’ of the area as described in the appeal
approval from application APP/R5510/W/23/3335976. The patchwork
separation will not provide an adequate amenity space for the
projected number of flats
(vi) There will likely be an inadequate number of car parking
spaces for the number of dwellings (12 as opposed to the
recommended 14, as per Hillingdon’s policies) which will
again lead to more congestion in the area and may cause current
residents to find parking even more challenging than
currently
(vii) Any balconies that might be introduced in a multi-housing
building are likely to overlook the surrounding properties and
reduce their privacy
We sincerely hope the objections we have raised above will be seriously considered by the Council’s Planning Committee and we trust that they will not capitulate to this applicant’s ‘war of attrition’ tactics. We urge them to consider also, the fact that this applicant has now submitted numerous (rejected) applications and appeals from as early as 2021 and whether continued entertainment of such applications and/or appeals is worthy of the Council’s valuable time and resources.
On reaching 20 signatures it may be considered in conjunction with the relevant live planning application at an upcoming Committee meeting. The Council's Democratic Services Team will be in touch with the lead petitioner to advise and take this petition forward accordingly.
This ePetition ran from 11/10/2024 to 05/11/2024 and has now finished.
30 people signed this ePetition.