Kingsend gets hit by another application for flats

A ROAD that has been bombarded with applications to build flats over the last three years has just been hit again.

An application to convert 16/18 Kingsend, Ruislip, into three one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom flats has been submitted to Hillingdon Council.

Resident Sue Browne, 54, has been the lead petitioner in fighting off the applications since the first one back in September 2006 and has already started a petition against these plans.

She said: "People are against flats because the houses in this road are very distinctive and it's the depth of the flats as well. The houses are two storey but the flats will be three storey. What the developers are trying to do is turn two homes into 11. It's a huge multiple.

"A lot of the neighbours have obviously got their own issues as well about it overlooking into their back gardens."
Both 16 and 18 Kingsend were bought by developers in August 2007 and two plans to turn them into flats have already been refused.

Mrs Browne said: "The developers are arguing that this latest plan will improve the character of the area but we will argue that it doesn't.

"They say the brick work will conform to the standards unlike their last plan, which was turned down at appeal, but it's the density and the scale of the thing that is out of character with the area. It will be a big block on the landscape."

Since December last year Kingsend has also been in the Ruislip Village Conservation Area, so this may make it more difficult for developers.

To comment on the application go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk by July 17.

Mrs Browne said: "I don't know if it will make a difference if neighbours write in but at least the council will be aware of local opinion on the issue."

An application to build 13 flats including an extension to the spa at 157-161 High Street, Ruislip, was refused by the council but has now gone to appeal.