Hanwell Councillor Accuses Developer of 'Cashing in' On Crossrail

As residents campaign aginst new planning application for W7

Artists impression of how it could look

A group of Hanwell residents  is fighting a planning application to develop the site of the former Peugeot garage on Uxbridge Rd.

Former Peugeot garage on Uxbridge Road
 

The application, by developer Elemento, is for 7 contemporary town houses and an ultra- modern, soaring block of flats with, as yet unspecified, retail units on the ground floor.

The group feels the plan is not only out of character but an “eyesore” which will, they say, have a detrimental affect on their lives and homes with regard to light, privacy and parking.

“We are being fed a lot of conflicting information,” said Ann Mollloy who lives in the adjoining George St.  “They have put up public notices stating the block is 5-6 stories above ground but their plans clearly show eight storeys”.

The residents say these plans fail to comply with Ealing Council’s own Development Plan Documents (HAN2). In these, only 20 residential units are recommended for not only this Peugeot site, but also the nearby Wheel Exchange and Grays combined. Elemento is proposing 47 units on one section alone.

Old Hanwell Residents’ Association has branded the plans for the tall block  as ‘totally alien to the surroundings and it is far too tall compared with buildings for miles around.’ 

Referring to other developments in the pipeline – the row  on Uxbridge Rd between Lidl and Golds Gym and Wickes on nearby Boston Rd, they add ‘We do not support this building setting a precedent for higher buildings to come. We are acutely aware that there are several more development sites identified in the locality.

A major issue is light. The proposed development dwarfs the cottages in George St. Their roofs are 27’ at the top. The new block of flats will be    87 feet tall – three times as tall - and will directly border their properties.

“They have submitted a light survey, which states there will be no loss of light” said Ann “but it makes assumptions, has omitted information and they admit they did not do a site visit”.

If this goes ahead, all our privacy will be lost” Ann showed me around her two-storey cottage, which is – along with her small back yard - currently light and airy. “I would lose all of my light and I won’t even be able to see the sky from my windows or the yard”

Contamination and pollution is another concern. The Peugeot site – which has previously been both a church and a petrol station- has workshops which have previously leaked oil into a neighbouring garden (when the Peugeot garage admitted fault) and the developer’s own report states there is asbestos on the site with a ‘medium to high’ risk tohuman health, land, surface and groundwater Residents want information about the amounts of contaminants and how it’s proposed they are removed.'

George Street householders are especially concerned as the proposed development abuts their properties with barely inches to spare. 

Another affected property is the Assyrian Church on Westminster Rd. “The church will be dwarfed – even their stained glass window will be blocked off.” said Raj Powar “But the church is not even included on the rudimentary-and unsatisfactory- light survey the developers did”

As ever, parking is an issue. The developers are planning to supply 14 parking spaces in an underground car park for a total of 47 residential units. Other car owners will have to use the surrounding streets or the George St car park. This has 87 spaces for the existing residents, plus local businesses that have permits.

According to the developer’s plans, cars will enter and emerge via George Street to the block’s underground storeys. This, say the group, is dangerous especially on top of their street’s junction with Uxbridge Rd, which they say is a blind spot hazard.

Peter Mason one of the area’s councillors  is also against the plans: ''Crossrail will bring some amazing benefits to Hanwell, and with immense need for housing in London it is likely that developers are going to come forward over the next few years with plans. However in this case, the developer appears to be cashing in on the Crossrail effect, parachuting in a tower block, too tall, and so out of keeping with the character of Hanwell that it is simply embarrassing. Hanwell deserves so much better.''

Viv Ellis

October 26th 2016