Planning application submitted for regeneration of key Hillingdon site

More new homes are set to be delivered to West London after Inland Homes, a specialist developer of brownfield regeneration projects, submitted a detailed planning application for more than 500 homes at Hillingdon Gardens.

The six-acre site, formerly known as the Master Brewer Hotel, is situated in Freezeland Way, a short distance from Hillingdon station and other local amenities.

The detailed plans are set to transform the former commercial site in North Hillingdon, located between Ickenham and Uxbridge, creating a residential-led, mixed-use neighbourhood of 514 homes. This is set to include 179 affordable homes and 1,250 sqm of commercial space. 

The planned new homes will include a range of one, two and three-bedrooms apartments to suit a wide range of housing needs, with the number of affordable homes in line with policy requirements.

The masterplan for the new development also includes a network of pedestrianised areas, landscaped public squares and extensive green spaces designed to create ‘a diverse garden quarter’.

Inland Homes has also been working closely with the London Wildlife Trust to ensure biodiversity throughout the overall design, achieved by creating a ‘Nature Recovery Network’ to make sure that the existing natural ecosystems are protected and enhanced during development.

Furthermore, the plan is for a link to be established with other London Wildlife Trust sites in the surrounding area to form a network of landscaped nature corridors for wildlife as well as residents.

The planning application from Inland Homes follows a public consultation event on July 25 2019, as well as extensive consultation between the firm, Hillingdon Borough Council, Oak Farm Residents’ Association and Ickenham Residents’ Association.

“This is an important brownfield regeneration project which will help create over 500 new homes, ensuring a positive contribution to housing needs in the London Borough of Hillingdon,” Stephen Wicks, chief executive of Inland Homes, said.

“The scheme will benefit the natural environment surrounding the site, creating an attractive landscape. Inland Homes has a strong record of securing planning permission and delivering complex brownfield sites and we look forward to achieving full planning permission.” 

According to Inland Homes, one of the key features (and benefits) of this site are the excellent transport connections on offer close by. 

Hillingdon tube station adjoins the site, with direct services into Central London in approximately 35 minutes, while access to the M40 motorway is less than two miles away.

Additionally, there are regular bus services from Long Lane and Freezeland Way, while the site benefits from close proximity to a GP surgery, local schools, sports and recreation centres and green space.

It’s an area with significant buyer and tenant demand thanks to its closeness to Heathrow Airport – 20 minutes by car – and Brunel University London, which is home to more than 13,000 students.

In West London, a number of residential developments or opportunities have been announced recently – from the listing of the former Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow for residential use to the ongoing regeneration of White City.

On the other hand, Old Oak Common – often seen as West London’s flagship regeneration scheme – is having serious troubles thanks to the issues with HS2 and various planning problems.