Plans approved for new Yiewsley homes and library

The proposals build on the council's work to deliver new homes across the borough and enhance the leisure offer for local residents. 
 
The plans are split across two locations. At the Yiewsley Library site, the council will deliver 50 new affordable homes and at the former Yiewsley Pool site, the plans include a new and larger library together with a dedicated community space for residents and 45 affordable homes.   

Along with the delivery of new homes and community assets, the council will also make improvements to Yiewsley Recreation Ground, which borders the development site. This will include improved playground equipment and the planting of more trees. 
 
The proposals for the scheme had been shaped using feedback from residents to ensure local people would benefit and underwent some significant changes to address their feedback. 
 
The development will deliver: 

·       affordable housing that is modern, fit for purpose and meets or exceeds space standards and includes wheelchair accessible properties and meets London affordable rent requirements 

·       an energy efficient development that will lower bills for residents 

·       improved access to the recreation ground, including new lighting, footpaths and signage from the high street 

·       more play space for children 

·       new trees and a landscaped garden on the site of the old bowling green 

·       The development will be 'air quality neutral', but with additional developer contributions to the council's work on its Air Quality Action Plan would become 'air quality positive'. 

Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Hillingdon Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport, said: "We're continuing to fulfil our commitment of delivering high quality, affordable homes for residents and this scheme comprising 100 per cent affordable homes delivers on that promise. 
 
"Building new homes is no easy task in a borough with swathes of protected green space and areas of dense housing where there's little opportunity to build. But by developing brownfield sites near our town centres that have previously laid vacant or unused we can bring exciting social and economic opportunities to residents and local businesses." 
 
The land at Yiewsley Recreation Ground will not be affected by the development, other than to deliver the park improvements. As Metropolitan Open Land, the recreation ground will continue to be protected by planning policies.   
 
At Wednesday's meeting the planning committee resolved to agree the recommendations of planning officers, with an amendment to the plans that both development sites would include pollution-absorbing plants in the landscaping to help improve air quality.