Local Authority

PROPOSALS to expand the HESA Primary Care Centre in Hayes have come to light.

Permission has been sought by NHS Hillingdon to change the retail use of the site next to the current centre in Station Road, and floor plans for the vacant 162 square-metre property - previously the old Post Office - include a corridor linking to the existing centre, 5 consultation rooms and a waiting area and reception.

BLOCKED drains in Harlington have become the latest problem for residents as they tackle the heavy downpours.

These pictures, taken on Harlington High Street, show the extent of the problem on some of the roads in the area and Chris Brady, a resident and street champion for the area, highlighted the High Street, the Manor Parade area and the road beside Harlington Village Green as particular problem areas.

He stressed that, despite reporting the blocked drains to the council, nothing had yet been done to address the problem.

THE fate of two large housing proposals for the Uxbridge Road are to be decided on.

An application for 505-509 Uxbridge Road, Hayes, at the junction with Grange Road, includes plans for 45 homes. A bigger proposal, for 70 flats, was refused last year.

The latest submission is recommended for approval subject to conditions, which includes a minimum allocation of 'affordable' housing, and financial contributions towards public services in the area.

DRIVERS are being warned of the dangers of alcohol over the Christmas period in an initiative to prevent road deaths.

Hillingdon Council is supporting the national 'Think Campaign', which warns that drink driving has the potential to ruin lives.

A Bazaar and tabletop will take place on Sunday 6th December from 12 noon - 4pm at Barnhill Community Centre in aid of Club funds.

ANGRY residents and councillors have blamed a lack of communication after thousands of worshippers descended on a park, taking them by complete surprise, although the organisers are maintaining it was a success.

The Eid celebrations, part of a Muslim festival, took place on Sunday at Hayes End Community Park, in Kingsway, Hayes.

The festivities were held on Sunday, kicking off early in the morning, but residents, unaware the celebrations were even taking place, became furious that so many people came to the area with no warning.

Councillors had to come down to the park along with the police Safer Neighbourhood Teams to calm down residents who were unable to get out of their drives, and were awoken by the festival Tannoy.

A number of angry residents contacted the Gazette on Monday, feeling that they had been ignored, and not even consulted about the whole event.

The festival was organised by the Quba Islamic Centre, in Golden Crescent, Hayes.
Mohammed Adam, a volunteer, said: "From my perspective it went well for us, people from across Hillingdon were able to celebrate in one place.

"After what happened in Harrow we worked hard to avoid trouble, and there was none, there were more people than we expected, up to 4,000, but fortunately we had back up volunteers to help out and Sunday was a good day to have such an event.

Councillor Janet Gardner, who represents Botwell (Lab) said: "As one of the Botwell Councillors who attended the event in the Park, I can understand how angry the residents are about being kept in the dark about the whole event and the chaos it caused in surrounding streets.

"I myself would be furious if I was woken by a Tannoy system at 8am, or the sound of cars trying to park and I have to say I would have been the first to complain.

"I can only assume that there must have been a lack of communication between the organisers and the council regarding measures that should have been taken to limit the nuisance for the residents."

Councillor Mo Kursheed, who represents Botwell (Lab) said: "The venue was OK and these events need to be promoted, but the council did not do their job properly and these events need to be managed properly.

"Under the circumstances the Safer Neighbourhood Team did a marvellous job, they were not expecting it to be so big."

Philomena Bach, director of environment and consumer protection, said: "The council was assured that there would be under 1,000 people attending however, the actual number far exceeded this.

"Had the organiser made the council aware of the potential size of this event, we would have notified residents living in the local area.

"The council worked together with the police and the organisers to best manage the situation on the day and we are disappointed that the event caused disruption to some of our residents.

"The council will be meeting with the organisers to discuss how this can be avoided in the future."

BUSINESSES could be forced to close if proposed plans to build flats on a main road are given the go-ahead.

Notting Hill Home Ownership have submitted a second application to build 47 flats on 505-509 Uxbridge Road and 89-91 Grange Road, Hayes.

Their first application, submitted last year, was for 70 flats and this got refused by Hillingdon Council. An appeal was lodged, but this is still pending.

In the past there have also been applications to build a care home and a supermarket on this site, which is in the Hayes Village Conservation Area.

Townfield councillor, Lynne Allen, has been at the forefront of the campaign against the developments of flats on this site.

She said: "Although I recognise the need for homes, I have to balance that with the need for people to have employment.

"I will be objecting to this application because there are four to six small businesses on that site and they're earning a living. The last thing I want to see is the unemployment list get higher.

"My argument has always been that land is for business and if you start taking away that land you are stripping away employment.

"If no one wanted to run businesses on the site then I could understand it, but it has been proven that there is a need for them there."

One of the reasons it was also refused by the planning committee last time is because it would have been detrimental to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Residents of Grange Road and the surrounding roads also petitioned against the last application.
Ms Allen added: "At the top of Grange Road we have got bottleneck traffic and that's why the residents are opposed to it.

"I can imagine they will be opposed to this one because they have been opposed the whole way through because of the traffic problems in that area."

To comment on the plans go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk by September 30.

ANSWERS are being sought as to why a car park was left in disrepair for 12 years, leaving residents with a pile up of traffic problems.

The matter came to light at a planning meeting last Tuesday, where it was proposed that a block of flats be built on the car park in Perth Avenue, Hayes.

A FURTHER £80,000 has been allocated as part of the council's ward budget initiative. Spending has been approved for several new projects, although there is still £384,500 available until the end of December. The new projects are shown by ward, which each have £25,000 to spend.

AN MP and councillors are rallying support to stop a fifth betting shop coming to Hayes town centre.