Local Authority

THE refurbishment of the Grade II listed Highgrove House in Ruislip is set to drag on for another three years, after developers were given extra time to complete the project.

Permission to convert the 19th century property, in Eastcote Road, by demolishing the stable building and replacing it with 16 new homes, was originally granted in January 2007.

AMBITIOUS plans to give Ruislip Lido a £1.5million facelift could cause a rise in anti-social behaviour, neighbours fear.

Tempers flared at a public meeting last Wednesday (20) after residents accused Hillingdon Council of 'trying to turn the Lido into Disneyland'.

The council has unveiled a five-year project to bring the Lido, in Reservoir Road, 'back to its former glory'.

Proposals include a new boating lake and fishing facilities, an outdoor swimming pool, refurbishment of the miniature railway and better toilets.

But residents complained the new and improved Lido would bring an influx of newcomers, potentially causing a increase in graffiti, street drinking and littering.

A WOMAN who strained her neck after slipping on black ice fears Hillingdon Council is failing to protect people in the adverse weather conditions.

Joan O'Shea, 41, fell outside the Windmill Apartments in Pembroke Road, Ruislip Manor, on Saturday, January 2, after a leak underneath boards surrounding the complex froze, proving to be invisible after dark.

Mrs O'Shea, who lives in Ruislip Manor, said: "It was 6pm so I could not see the leak at all.

"I was very shaken up and my neck is really stiff, especially in the mornings, but I'm really lucky I didn't break something.

A WOMAN who strained her neck after slipping on black ice fears Hillingdon Council is failing to protect people in the adverse weather conditions.

Joan O'Shea, 41, fell outside the Windmill Apartments in Pembroke Road, Ruislip Manor, on Saturday, January 2, after a leak underneath boards surrounding the complex froze, proving to be invisible after dark.

Mrs O'Shea, who lives in Ruislip Manor, said: "It was 6pm so I could not see the leak at all.

"I was very shaken up and my neck is really stiff, especially in the mornings, but I'm really lucky I didn't break something.

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.

THE approval of an application to turn a listed barn into an entertainment venue has infuriated the residents who have to put up with the noise and people urinating outside.

On Friday (13) Hillingdon Council's licensing sub-committee approved an application submitted by the council for a premises licence for the sale of alcohol and entertainment at the Great Barn in Bury Street, Ruislip.

CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle against plans to demolish a day centre to turn it into flats.

On October 6 an application to knock down Southbourne Day Centre, in Elliott Avenue, Ruislip Manor, to build 23 flats went to the north planning committee.

The members decided to defer it to enable more information to be submitted by the applicant, Hillingdon Council, on alternative community uses, to explore the need for a play area on the site and to look into the location of a third disabled parking bay.

Last Tuesday (27) the plans went back to the planning committee, and despite vigorous opposition from residents in the area, with 16 letters of objection and a 66 signature petition, the plans were approved, subject to a Section 106 agreement.

For the full report go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk

HILLINGDON Council have submitted an application to build a youth centre on the site of a former gymnastics club.

The proposed plans are to demolish Swallows, in Victoria Road, South Ruislip, to build the single storey youth centre.

To comment on the application go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk by November 12.

A MACEBTH-inspired display with three fantastical witches making spells around their cauldron is on show in Ruislip Manor Library.

Made by students on their National Certificate in Floristry Level 2 run by Hillingdon Adult Education, the two displays show some of the skills that the students have learnt during their intensive one year course.

The witches display has been designed by Hilary Dixon, Jacqueline Prosvic, Nancy Brown and Rose Halligan.

Theresa Pinto, Jean Baker and Asha Abou El-Hassan have also designed a magical scene involving a wizard and his spell book, with a three dimensional pumpkin made of flowers and two enormous theatrical floral arrangements.

The displays will remain in the library, in Linden Avenue, throughout half term until November 4.

CONCERNED residents are calling for measures to make a notoriously dangerous junction safer after the latest crash saw a lamp-post nearly cut in half.

Those living near the junction of Victoria Road and Sidmouth Drive in Ruislip Manor say accidents there are a regular occurrence and something desperately needs to be done.

Their calls come after a serious accident on October 10 in which a car coming down Victoria crashed after the driver tried to avoid hitting a car pulling out of Sidmouth.

Michael McGlinchey, who lives next to the junction, said: "I never turn right onto Victoria from Sidmouth because it's almost impossible.

"There needs to be traffic controls of some sort there. There's space for a mini roundabout or failing that, I think traffic lights should be installed before someone is killed."

Mark Alden, 45, who lives opposite the junction, said: "People turning right out of Sidmouth have to pull out virtually into the middle of Victoria to see if there's anything coming because of the parked cars.

"The cars coming along Victoria are also regularly doing more than 40mph and because of the parked cars, they don't know Sidmouth is there so they don't slow down.

"Victoria is also used by children attending Ruislip High School and if the accident on October 10 had happened at 3.30pm in the week there would have certainly been school children casualties or even fatalities.

"The council have known about this black spot since at least April 2004.

"We, the residents, would like to see either Sidmouth blocked so there is no exit to Victoria or the speed between the Black Bull pub and Bessingby Road reduced to 20mph and enforced by speed cameras."

The Gazette ran a campaign to make Victoria Road safer last year after a pedestrian was killed.

The council put up speed activated signs. but they were taken down a few months later to be moved somewhere else.

Manor councillor, Mike Cox, said: "I have reported the Sidmouth Drive junction to the council on a few occasions in the last few years and I've basically been told that they won't do anything about it.

"It's very difficult for people to turn out of Sidmouth, but it's also dangerous if you are turning right into it because you are almost sitting facing on coming traffic. "

Mary Worrall, head of highways and green spaces at the council, said: "The council has installed 'route alert' signs on Victoria Road, which have shown to contribute to a decrease in the number of accidents.

"We have also recently extended the 20mph zone in Sidmouth Drive as far as the junction of Victoria Road to reduce speeding."

What do you think? Email charlenemitchell@trinitysouth.co.uk or call her on 07795 811 367.