Our Proposals
What is being proposed?
An outline planning application is being prepared for up to 57 new homes on the site, with all matters reserved except access. This means that, at this stage, the application will establish the principle of development and fix the location and design of the main access point from Rickmansworth Road.
Detailed design matters, including the precise layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping of the housing will be considered at a later stage if outline consent is granted.
The illustrative masterplan demonstrates how the site could be developed. The key elements of this include:
- Residential development, including delivery of up to 57 homes
- The remaining area will be retained as public open space and green infrastructure
- A new access road into the site from Rickmansworth Road
- Public open space in the centre of the site, with trees and other vegetation preserved where possible
- An attenuation pond within the open space to manage surface water
- New street trees and soft landscaping throughout the development
- Detached and semi-detached homes, as well as some townhouses and apartments, with a minimum of 50% of all homes delivered as affordable housing in line with the Hillingdon Local Plan.
Ecology and Landscape
The site supports several ecological features of note, including retained areas of woodland and a pond. The proposals have been designed to protect and enhance these features wherever possible.
The woodland and vegetation in the western half of the site will remain undisturbed by development. Oak trees on site and the existing hedgerow will be retained and incorporated into the landscape scheme as key features. Where any trees must be removed to facilitate development, replacements will be planted on, or adjacent to, the site.
The landscape proposals create a welcoming approach to the neighbourhood while responding positively to local landscape character.
Key elements include:
- A central public open space and attenuation pond
- New street trees along the spine road
- Soft landscaping including hedgerows and front planting to soften parking areas
- Retention of the mature tree line along the eastern boundary as a natural screen from Rickmansworth Road
- The western woodland retained in full
Highways and Access
A Transport Assessment and Travel Plan have been prepared to support the planning application. The assessment examines the impact of the development on the local road network and identifies a series of measures to support access and local road capacity.
Vehicle access will be provided via a new priority junction on Rickmansworth Road, located close to the site’s existing farm gate entrance.
The scheme includes footways throughout the development and connections to the existing public rights of way network. Residents will be within easy walking and cycling distance of local bus stops and Northwood Underground Station. The Travel Plan also sets out measures to encourage sustainable travel for future residents.
Drainage
The site is categorised as being at low risk of flooding, but several measures have been identified as part of the proposals to further mitigate any potential for flooding and improve drainage.
The proposed public open space will accommodate a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) attenuation pond, which will store and gradually release surface water during rainfall events. This ensures that run-off rates after development are no more than at present.
Additional SuDS measures are incorporated throughout the development, including permeable paving and planted drainage features. The drainage strategy complies with Policy DMEI 10 of the Hillingdon Local Plan, which requires all new development to incorporate SuDS and demonstrate reduced surface water run-off.