A decision on a major housing scheme in west London has been delayed after the council failed to publish appendices alongside the committee report.
The application proposed the erection of a residential building varying between four and five storeys in height on an existing car park at Status Park on Nobel Drive in Harlington. However, Hillingdon Council planning committee could not vote on the plans.
Item pulled from agenda
Speaking at the hearing on Wednesday, October 14, Ruislip Councillor and Committee Chair, Philip Corthorne said: “I do need to say that agenda item 10 has been pulled from the agenda this evening as it was published without appendices which therefore makes us unable to make a…reasonable decision so that item is pulled from the agenda this evening.”
Council officers had recommended the development, which provides 51 apartments, be approved. The apartments comprise of 18 one-bedroom, 20 two-bedroom, and 13 three-bedroom units.
No affordable housing on site
None of the flats would be available as affordable housing and are instead marked for the private market. However, the developer has committed to a £500,000 contribution towards off-site affordable housing, in addition to a review later in the development process should affordable housing become financially viable.
The site currently serves as a car park for three former office buildings which were previously converted into homes: Atlantico House, Peninsula House and Vista Court. Under the proposals, parking across Status Park would be reconfigured.
The number of on-site parking spaces would be reduced from 245 spaces to 146 – a 40 per cent reduction. A total of 11 car parking spaces – including five blue badge bays – would be allocated to the new block.
Officers recommended approval
Officers recommended approval of the scheme, emphasising that Hillingdon cannot currently demonstrate a five-year deliverable housing land supply – rather 2.5 years. Under new planning policy, it was concluded that the construction of 51 net additional homes on brownfield land would carry substantial weight in making the decision.
To compensate for the reduction in surface hardstanding, the applicant proposed creating 5,120 sqm of new landscaped public open space divided across seven areas. The open space would provide accessible recreation areas for the new and existing residents living on the site.
Three objections and one letter of support were received. Main issues raised by objectors included concerns about the overdevelopment of the site, impact on daylight, services and local infrastructure.
Others claimed the site would be better off earmarked for community use or local shops – however the planning report outlines the weight given to housing developments.
As the scheme was withdrawn from the hearing due to incomplete documentation rather than on planning merits, the application remains active. The council will republish the report complete with all technical appendices prior to re-listing the scheme at a future planning committee.
