A controversial housing development in Uxbridge has been approved by the Hillingdon Council Planning Committee, despite initial opposition from residents.
The plans were originally rejected in November 2022, and again in February 2024, however following revisions, it is believed concerns have been adequately addressed.
The revised proposals involve demolishing an existing bungalow to make way for two pairs of semi-detached houses. The project will see the construction of two 2-bedroom houses and two 3-bedroom houses in 19 Beacon Close, Uxbridge. The committee passed the plans with six votes in favour of the development, and one abstention from Councillor Elizabeth Garelick.
The plans previously rejected by the council proposed a terraced block of four houses. These were refused due to concerns about the design being ‘out of character with the area’, the terraced nature of the housing, and the absence of a legal agreement to prevent future occupiers from joining the local parking management scheme.
The revised proposal addressed these concerns by reducing the scale of the development by separating the development into two pairs of semi detached houses rather than a block terrace. Furthermore, future residents will have parking spaces on site, and will be legally prevented from joining the local parking management scheme.
Despite these changes to the plans, opposition remains amongst local people. A petition was submitted to Hillingdon Council opposing the proposals with 22 signatures. A number of concerns were raised over the loss of local character, increased flooding risk, and increased pressure on parking in the area.
Shirley Bruce, a resident of Beacon Close, objected to the new proposals. She told the committee in a written statement that her concerns are related to the increased number of people living on a site where only four people currently reside.

She said: “This has the potential to increase the number of residents on the site from 4 to 18, with all [the] attendant pressures on Beacon Close – traffic volume, parking, [and] pressure on drainage – that this will bring.
“This proposal has previously and correctly been described as ‘gross overdevelopment’. And, whilst it is acknowledged that the absolute physical size of the development has been reduced in the latest application, we contend that the principle of overdevelopment remains.”
Committee Vice-Chair Cllr Adam Bennet said: “I remember I was on the committee when we rejected this on the second round. I think this is a great example of how an applicant can work well with the planning officers to evolve a scheme.
“Compared to what this was the first time, I remember it looked a bit like Coronation Street… I do emphasise with the petitioner’s concerns .. but we have very stretching housing targets from the government …we have a real need for homes and I think this is much more tastefully done now, and precautions have been taken to restrict the overdevelopment.”
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