Hillingdon Council’s Planning Committee has unanimously approved plans to redevelop the long-vacant Hayes Tuition Centre into new homes and a restaurant. The existing two-storey building, which suffered a roof collapse, will be demolished and replaced with a four-storey building containing nine flats and a ground floor eatery.
It has not yet been announced which operator will take on the restaurant space. The community tuition space will be lost, however officers determined that this is acceptable given the provision of a commercial unit. Additionally, since the Covid-19 pandemic, tuition services have largely moved online.
Details of the new development
Within the building will be five one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats. As the scheme consists of just nine homes, it falls below the 10-unit statutory threshold for requiring on-site affordable housing or contributions towards affordable housing in the area.
The scheme provides just one disabled parking bay and no other parking spaces for residents. Any future tenants would be legally restricted from obtaining parking permits in local Controlled Parking Zones. However, 22 covered parking spaces will be provided.
Resident concerns and objections
A petition with 72 signatures and 15 individual objections raised concerns about parking overspill, evening restaurant noise and overlooking. A resident petition stated: “The effects on residents of Fairdale Gardens because of evening parking by restaurant users, visitors to the tuition centre, any flat occupants with cars bearing in mind that the parking zone operates only until 5pm.”
To address privacy concerns about overlooking, the building will step down towards the two-storey neighbouring building at Fairdale Gardens. Balconies on four of the flats will be restricted and feature privacy screens.
Construction and planning context
Other concerns included the potential traffic issues caused during the construction period. The council has ensured there will be a construction management plan with formal oversight to protect traffic flow along Coldharbour Lane.
Hillingdon Council currently operates under a statutory presumption in favour of sustainable development due to a shortage in local housing supply. Planning officers concluded that the delivery of nine new homes on brownfield land combined with new commercial provisions outweighed the loss of an online education facility.
During the meeting, Cllr Ahmad Wallana described the plans as a “great asset”. He said: “I really welcome this application... in all fairness... this piece of land has [not] been in use for years... it was only attracting fly tipping… If this goes ahead it would be a great asset to the community down there.”
All councillors present voted in favour of the plans at the meeting on Tuesday, October 6.
