Hillingdon set to acquire land at Yiewsley Library

Hillingdon Council is proposing to appropriate land at the former Yiewsley Library and Yiewsley Pool site for planning purposes, so it can be used to build vital new homes.

The council revised the development plans it produced in 2021 after considering residents’ feedback. The council intends to seek planning consent to develop the land to build new homes and a library.

The new proposals for the 5,066 square metre site include 100 per cent affordable housing (around 95 new homes), a new library, and additional community space. The new library will be considerably larger than the current building, providing modern facilities for residents, including retractable bookshelves, making the floor space multi-functional.

The council has no intention of developing the amenity space of Yiewsley Recreation Ground, land which the council designated Metropolitan Open Space in January 2020, as part of its Local Plan Part 2, to ensure its continued protection. The proposed development site is considered a brownfield and consists mainly of existing hardstanding.

The council has also pledged to improve the adjacent green spaces as part of the development. This would include planting new trees, refurbishing footpaths, creating a landscaped garden on the site of the old bowling green, as well as a new children’s play area within Yiewsley Recreation Ground.

The proposed development would complement the council’s local leisure offer with the Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre, currently under construction in West Drayton.

Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards, said: “We’re committed to creating strong communities with access to good quality, affordable housing, but that is not at the expense of our valued green spaces.

“Our plans to develop this vacant brownfield site have been revised following feedback from residents and would allow us to provide much-needed affordable homes for local people in a borough where suitable sites for housebuilding are scarce.”

Residents can view and comment on the proposals before the deadline on Tuesday, 27 June. The council will consider all representations before deciding on appropriating the land.

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