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Shops under threat from supermarket
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to block plans to build a new supermarket in a residential street- which could spell the end for a Post Office.
A planning application has been submitted to demolish the derelict Oak Tree pub, in Ryefield Avenue, Hillingdon, and replace it with a supermarket with four flats above it.
The plans have angered traders and those who have worked hard in the area to rid it of anti-social behaviour, as there are fears a new supermarket would encourage under age drinking.
Taurave Sood, who runs the Post Office, said: "The shops nearby already serve our needs and some have been here over 30 years.
"If the plans are accepted, the convenience store we are part of could be gone within a year.
"A lot of the residents around here are elderly and would not want to have to go into Uxbridge to use the Post Office."
The shopkeepers have been busy raising a petition against the plans, and they are encouraging residents to write in their letters of objection to Hillingdon Council.
The proposed opening hours of the supermarket, rumoured to be a Cost Cutter, are from 6am to midnight, seven days a week.
Mr Sood added: "99 per cent of people cannot believe it, we don't want it, and not open until midnight, kids hanging around drinking would be a nuisance."
Constance Evans, chair of the Oak Farm Residents Association, said: "Ryefield already has good shops, and also at Hillingdon Circus, and Sutton Court.
"There are no parking spaces here either so customers would park in front of people's houses plus there would be noise from the delivery lorries.
"The flats proposed would also overlook neighbouring properties which is another issue in itself.
"I would like to see the pub be turned into sheltered housing for the elderly, it would be an ideal spot with bus stops nearby.
"It will kill our shops, they work so hard as it is, and must make very little money."
Councillor Jill Rhodes, (Lib Dem) who represents Hillingdon East has also met with the shopkeepers and residents to hear their feelings on the proposals.
The deadline for petitions and letters to be submitted to Hillingdon Council is next Wednesday (19/8).
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Yes it is true that at least 4 of our shops here are under threat of closure if this Supermarket gets the go-ahead.
Then the added problems to all the residents who shall have to put up with the nuisance from anti-social behaviour.
As Constance Evans says, there is already a parking and congestion problem on this small residential road. A supermarket and the 4 proposed flats would cause mayhem with parking for residents who will find their driveways being blocked and double-parking will be rife.
The bus route would also be disrupted by this because of delivery lorries reversing into the access road which is meant for residents' use.
We have all had a great response with the petition and must urge anyone who opposes this, to pop into any of the shops and sign a petition too.
Bal Dosanjh from London Vintners has conducted a mass-leaflet drop in all the surrounding roads to create awareness. It tells everyone what is proposed and what they can do to help.
What would really help the cause is if people can write letters of objections to this. You do not have to post the letter yourselves, you can just drop it into the Post Office or London Vintners and we shall do the posting for you.
If writing a letter is a problem, we welcome all to pop into the Post Office or London Vintners in Ryefield Avenue and we shall help you.
We can even write your letters for you if you provide your name, address and objections. We can then call round to show you the letter and ask you to sign it if you are happy.
We need all these letters or your information to be in for this Friday (14/8) so we can get them ready for the deadline.
A huge thanks to everyone who has come out to support us and for everyone wanting to keep this lovely village-like area peaceful.
Together we can beat this, just as we have been fighting off Tesco at The Master Brewer site.
Regards
Gaurave Sood
NEELAM - Ryefield Avenue Post Office
I too have proposed that this application is refused. We have enough good local shops to cater to our needs, we do not need any more.Our local shops owners have become an important part of the community.What we wouldlike isto see the pub restored so that locla would havea social meeting place in the area.
It would destroy the livelihoods of those shopkeepers opposite, whom have developed and sustained a business in a small community for such a long period of time and many of whom local residents have become friends with. Their own businesses would become non existent. In addition, there is already a great deal of congestion in Ryefield Avenue and double parking is already a real problem. Deliveries which would start early in the morning would be a great problem and nuisance for local neighbours due to the noise from the lorries etc, which would also cause a problem with their unloading as they would cause a stop gap in the road whilst they unloaded, or hindered cars and buses as they needed to pass. Further along the road is a local nursery/primary school with the route to the school passing the proposed site. These are young children, often in small groups which would have the necessity to pass or cross over the road at the proposed site. The extra congestion would magnify the difficulty crossing on such a congested road and make it particularly dangerous for them. This is a small local community and NOT a town centre. If people want a large supermarket for a big shop there is Sainsbury, Tesco etc in nearby Uxbridge which is easily accessible by the bus route which runs to and from Uxbridge, picking up and dropping off in Ryefield Avenue itself, with the smaller local shops being used as a top up if needed. This idea of a supermarket in Ryefield Avenue would destroy the local community.