Category Archives: Planning

MINUTES OF THE SOUTH RUISLIP RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING HELD AT ST MARY’S CHURCH – WEDNESDAY APRIL 27TH 2016

Minutes of the South Ruislip Residents Association

Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday April 27th 2016

In attendance were 65 residents and 11 committee members.  Councillors present Judy Kelly and Eddie Lavery.

Apologies were received from: Jenny Hunt and Cllr Kaufmann, PC Jack Duerden.

April 2016 SRRA Quarterly Meeting
April 2016 SRRA Quarterly Meeting

1.0   Minutes signed off and Vice Chair Sid Jackson opened the meeting.

2.0   Police.

Manor and Cavendish

Acting Sergeant Tristan Brown has recently taken on this role. His dedicated ward officers are Sarah Fordham (Manor) and Ajay Shah (Cavendish).

His 2 dedicated PCSOs are Gurbinder Sandhu and John Dickens (John is currently on a small squad delivering MetTrace kits across the Borough)

The following officers are also part of the team: Aidan Young and Nathan Francis

South Ruislip

Sergeant Karl Spour is the new sergeant. His dedicated ward officer is now James Burgess

His dedicated PCSOs are Kara Remick and Anne Marie Chapman-Bennett

The following officers are part of the his team: Allan Webster, Jack Duerden, Maz Solanki and Charlie Mitchell (joins in June)

Rabournmead Drive

Skeletal remains were found.  The police believe they have identified the person.  The person had been missing since last year.   The polices working hypothesis is that the person, sadly,  died sleeping rough.

3.0   Brian Varley from Bellway Homes

Bellway Homes are the construction company building the residential homes at the ARLA site.  Construction will be fully complete in two years time.  Sales of the first phase opened at the weekend.  They are sold out on the first release.  They are working on the site with other construction companies Simmons and Stace, who deal with the commercial side of the development.

Questions/Comment from the floor:

Site access for pedestrians.  Bellway are creating a pedestrian walkway through from Station Approach which will be at the side of the Middlesex Arms.

Traffic will be separate from the shopping side of the development giving residents their own access to the site.

Drawing showed trees on the plans, but these have all been removed.  Established trees removed in the construction phase but other trees and landscaping will be planted at the perimeter. This will be completed towards the end of the development.

Question about affordable / housing association properties and quantity and proportion of these.  163 plots in total and there are 18 shared ownership homes which will be affordable and 18 rented units to let via a housing association.  No HA yet appointed to manage these.

What of car parking at the site? Parking is one space for one flat/property.  Generally thought to be low, but meets regulations etc.

Are these properties all sold to overseas buyers?  Not really, many local buyers, property advertised locally and many sold to local people.

4.0 Report from the Chairman

ARLA Site

Sid visited the ARLA site.  Impressive.  On target for completion by end of year.  Likely to be open around Easter next year.  The Focus site entrance opposite West Mead (now Aldi / B&M) will close and entrance will be part of the overall scheme.

Lidl

First phase plans approved for the development at Victoria Road, but the larger development is still waiting points to be cleared and planning application then will go to planning committee meeting.

HS2

Seeing movement in MP’s positions from opposition to mitigate the disruption that construction will cause.  See this as a sign that work will go ahead.

5.0   Treasurer’s Report

Current account balance £1,229.88.  Reserve £12,361.33.

No questions for Colin.

6.0 Chief Road Stewards Report

Hunting for Road Stewards for The Fairway, Diamond Road, Royal Crescent.  Wingfield Way.

Simple task to visit the houses and deliver.  Collecting the money is also simple, can be completed in a way that suits you.

7.0   Secretary Report

Nothing to report

8.0 Officers Election

The following officers were returned as standing for the following year.

Name Position
Vice Chair Sid Jackson
Treasurer Colin Hook
Chief Road Steward Geoff Taylor
Secretary Jeremy Wasden

9.0   Cllr Judy Kelly & report from Cllr Alan Kauffman who submitted in Writing

SKLP

Cllr Judy Kelly petition raised from local residents on Harvey Road re the disruptive behaviour from the site.  SKLP were better neighbours in 2014, but were more disruptive later last year with a poorer response from council officers and the police to the issues raised by residents.

Keen to improve the situation again for residents.

Youth Club at South Ruislip

Conversations with councillors have been ongoing. Set up meetings about way forward.  Report update when know more.

Block of Flats opposite South Ruislip Station on Great Central Avenue

Much work especially by Cllr Kauffman.  Flats will house people in need of temporary housing.  They can house up to four people.  Owned by Hillingdon but leased to a housing association.  An open day is being arranged by the provider to view the flats for local residents.  Date tba.

Yellow Lines on Field End Road

Now painted.

Corsa’s illegally parked in Brackenhill

Cat and mouse with council officers.  Now not advertised.  Looking at parking meters.

Bridge at South Ruislip

Looking to improve Station Approach.  Written to mayor, designers worked site.  Bridge is very dark.  When it floods can’t get through.  Walls seep moisture.  Perhaps put cladding on, raise pavement by two foot and raise light levels.  Circa £353k cost to improve.

10.0 RAF Northolt

Station Commander here next meeting.

The runway is going to be resurfaced next year.  New base to the tarmac needed, very invasive work.  Therefore the runway is going to close next year for around 9 months.

Display. Question from floor about whether flying displays will be affected following crash at Shoreham. Sid felt not as displays not aerobatic.

Flybe.  Wrote wanting to fly from Northolt.  Sid said feeling was it won’t happen.  Can’t operate scheduled flights as military has priority.  Once start to have a schedule the military would lose control.  There are also restrictions on aircraft passenger numbers due to ambulance cover, fire covers etc.  Not in foreseeable future.

Part 2 SRRA Meeting. 

Tea Break SRRA Quart Meeting April 2016
Tea Break SRRA Quart Meeting April 2016

Secretary Jeremy left, and Lynne Kauffman kindly completed the minutes for the evening.

Item Discussion/requests Action
11 VC Jackson carried out a vote to verify the proposed and seconded officers of the executive.

There was an overwhelming positive vote for all all committee members carried forward.

Open invitation to any member who wishes to attend the executive meetings 9thJune, 14July.

12 Update requested on the ground between the library and the youth centre on Victoria Road. Cllr Lavery stated that it was council owned land. Cllr Kelly reported on the site history for the development of the site. Cllr Kauffman and Cllr Kelly to investigate.
Members question Question on the fly tipping opposite the dentists on Northolt Avenue. To be resolved through an Members Enquiry.
Members question Use and development of the site on Station approach that was previously a nursery. Cllr Kelly though it was to be used for a day centre. Lunch club was mentioned but there is already a lunch club held at St Mary’s church hall 3 x per week run by Good Neighbours the club includes transport and outings. Publicise the lunch club in the newsletter to attract new members.
AOB from the committee.
  • GT(Chief Road Steward) raised the issue of identification for road stewards- use of photographs was suggested by a member. GT requested support still required for deliveries.
  • LC community report – Jim O’Neill walk almost impassable because of lack of drainage- suggested use of the Chrysalis fund to improve drainage.
  • CH no points to raise.
  • Non committee member(editor of newsletter) LK promoted the open meeting on EU for all South Ruislip residents 29th April 7:30 at the Ramada Hotel.
Still required

Diamond Road

Royal Crescent

The Fairway

West End Road

Wingfield Way

 

 

To be reported by Cllr Kelly

AOB from the floor
  • Question raised ‘Are we likely to see more of Boris once the election is over.
  • Northolt Avenue fly tipping repeated
VC to invite Boris Johnson to a meeting. Cllrs mentioned BJ’s surgery on Friday evening.
VC thanked members for attending meeting closed at 9:28pm.

Date of the next meeting 27th July.

 

“Surprising new developments set to regenerate Ruislip”

Michael Peters has posted an article on his blog detailing the ARLA site ground breaking ceremony. The article details the construction phases and companies involved. 
If you have an opinion or are interested in this key local build the feature makes for a good read….

http://www.tiemotalkofthetown.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/surprising-new-developments-set-to-regenerate-ruislip/

Lidl: To Increase Size of Store

Lidl-new-store

Henry Neel from Lidl has provided an update on the development of Lidl at the Rover/Comet site which makes interesting reading and we were keen to share:

As you are aware on 18 November 2015 we received the long awaited but brilliant news that Lidl was granted planning permission for the construction of a Lidl foodstore on the former Imperial House site in South Ruislip. Since the application was submitted the Lidl concept has evolved, and not long before it was due to be determined we had an opportunity to acquire some additional land, which we did. As a result of the continued success of the company and tremendous local support, there is now a fantastic opportunity to construct our latest store design on the former Rover show room and Comet store site. The new proposal will provide the local community with a slightly larger store with increased car parking but importantly a more spacious, brighter and comfortable store enabling customers to benefit from an enhanced shopping experience.

A new full planning application for the new proposed store was submitted on 30 November 2015 and is now awaiting determination by London Borough of Hillingdon (LBH). I am in regular communication with LBH and I’m hopeful that we will receive a decision in the first part of next year. 

The South Ruislip residents have been very supportive of Lidl and have taken an active interest in our progress with this site. As a result, I am keen to provide residents with updates and have produced a dedicated website, http://lidlsouthruislip.co.uk/ which provides individuals with all of the information on this new and improved scheme. I have also produced an online petition, http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-lidl-south-ruislip.html as it is very important that residents have their say and if they are in support of our application to redevelop the site, it is vital that they make their views known to their local Ward Councillor.

Coped below is a list of the links which individuals may be interested in visiting:

–  Website: http://lidlsouthruislip.co.uk/ 

–  Online petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-lidl-south-ruislip.html

–  Planning Application:  http://planning.hillingdon.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningComment?reference=5039/APP/2015/4395&from=planningSearch

Thank you once again for your assistance with this application and no doubt speak soon.

Kind regards

Henry

Henry Neel MRICS
Senior Consultant
Acquisitions 

T:  02089 058 766
E: henry.neel@lidl.co.uk
A: London North West Property Office, 4-14 Blackbird Hill, London, NW9 8SD


lidl-logo

Editor: In the interests of balance, should you wish, you can also object to the proposal on planning grounds by writing to the planning committee or ward councillor as well.

Lidl Planning Application to be heard Wednesday 18th November – UPDATE: Planning Permission Granted

We’ve had  a number of questions from members about the application and we are pleased to say that this  one is set to be heard on the 12th November 2015 at the Uxbridge Civic Centre.

Lidl ApplicationThe planning application concerns Lidl’s proposed new supermarket at the previous Rover Garage/Comet site on Victoria Road near Wickes.  As opposed to the application on the old Land of Leather site near the ARLA development which has already obtained planning permission.

The site will be developed into a new supermarket as per the application here.  If you are for or against the development you  are welcome to attend the committee hearing on 18th Nov, Committee Room 5, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1UW.

UPDATE: **At the planning hearing the development was granted planning permission.**

SRRA Member Question: What Next for the Land of Leather and Focus Site?

Good Morning,

I have lived in South Ruislip for the past 15 years where we appear to have more and more unused property which is getting to be a little concerning to say the least.
I am aware of the city grove development and the challenges faced by Sainsbury which is not ideal as was looking forward to the development which has so much potential for the area, however I guess I got a bit lost when I heard that the old Focus and Land of Leather site is not part of the old dairy development.

When making enquires I was informed that any of the following could be moving into the site, A Smyth's Toy Store, A night club and a Aldi.
I haven't seen anything come through my door with regards to this and surely as a resident we should be informed of what is being attracted to the area specifically if a night club is planned.

Could you please confirm if know what is planned for the old Focus/Land of Leather site as this is concerning that it is not part of the old dairy development and anything could end up in there.

Kind regards,

A Concerned Resident.

Good question.

You are quite right it is a separate site.

However the fate of that site is firmly tied with the ARLA development.  Provided the ARLA site goes ahead the Focus/Land of Leather site becomes more valuable to the owners (AVIVA) because of the expected footfall the ARLA development brings.

Latest planning requests show requests for retail variations on planning rather than activity such as nightclubs, but these are registered from July last year and are still undecided, although have recently been amended (03/03/2015) assuming that the Citygrove development goes ahead.

Hearsay indicates Aldi and a B&M Homestore, but you can appreciate that who goes in there under existing planning classes is not something we can lobby on or will necessarily be aware of.

If we saw a planning request for a nightclub we would be most vocal about it!  I think this unlikely given the owners have put in these retail variations.

Better quality retail units being attracted to this site is another reason for supporting Sainsbury’s restriction of competition in the area by calling for a Judicial Review of the ARLA development.

Copy of Letter Sent Today to Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe

At the Quarterly meeting last night Sid Jackson promised to send a letter outlining our objection and frustration with Sainsbury’s intention to launch a Judicial Review again the ARLA development which will include an ASDA supermarket.

This he has done.

The letter can be found here:  Sainsburys letter January 2015

We encourage residents to write letters of objection to Sainsbury’s to let them know their feelings.  Would love to know your feelings on this on our Facebook page.

A write-up on the meeting last night can be found just here in the online version of the Gazette.

 

 

October Newsletter

We distSRRA Newsletter Cover Oct 2014ribute the SRRA newsletters ahead of the Quarterly meetings which take place in January, April, July and October each year. Please find at the link below the October 2014 SRRA Newsletter.  Much has moved on as we discussed at the meeting on the 22nd October. Time, tide and South Ruislip wait for no man. October 2014 Newsletter

Please note the next meeting is on the 21st January 2015 not 28th as mentioned in the newsletter.

Signs of Life at the Focus Site….

Focus Site
Focus Site

Toys shop planning applications and there two  others online at Hillingdon planning.  This could well be seen now because the owners, AVIVA, expect the ARLA site on Victoria Road to get planning permission…

In brief the plans are straightforward  and seem to be amendments to the two units:

  • To demolish the garden centre section in favour of car parking
  • To extend the range of goods to be sold.
  • Change in the internal configuration

For more information search online at Hillingdon Planning for applications

 

ARLA South Ruislip Retail Development

ARLA South Ruislip
ARLA South Ruislip

One key issue for us in South Ruislip at the moment is the building on the ARLA site.  The majority of the residents, local councillors and the committee of the SRRA are in favour of the new shopping facilities and housing being built.  There are plans for a new supermarket, ASDA, a cinema, housing and family restaurants.

Those against speak in particular of the concerns with traffic.  Our argument is that there will be more traffic anyway and counter peak traffic won’t be as detrimental as traffic at peaks such as if the site was all housing.  Besides we like the idea of competition with Sainsburys.  If you have a point of view on this issue you are always welcome to leave a comment below or attend the planning meeting when it takes place or write to your councillors with your viewpoint.

The consultation process has finished now, but details of the plan can be found here on Hillingdon’s planning portal.

A decision is due by 05/08/2014, but often they take longer subject to the timing of the next available major planning committee meeting.

The developers website can be found just here.