Minutes
Monday 13th January 2025
Harefield Library, Park Lane, Harefield
Current committee members
Chairman Gerard Barry (Planning & HMO’s)
Secretary Paul Daniels (HS2)
Treasurer Helen Conchar (Finance)
Other Members
Derek Kent Planning & HMO’s)
Gillian Kent (Environment & High Street)
Tina Warne (Environment & High Street)
Ian Costard (Police & ASB) Tracey Blake (Health & PPG)
Apologies
Amanda Diny & Martin Davies
Attendance
25 members signed in
Welcome
Minutes of the last meeting
Monday 10th February 2025
All had received the minutes and they were agreed as a true copy proposed by Andy & seconded by Graham and approved.
Matters arising from the minutes
None
Actions arising from the last meeting
Tina- Medi Parc sub committee
Gerard – Widewater Place sub committee
Paul- shop fronts
Planning/HMO’s
Planning
There have only been 7 planning applications this year all being improvements to private housing.
26 Sullivan Crescent – Conversion of roof space.
26 Leys Close – Conversion of garage.
2 Vernon Drive – Change in approval.
26 Sullivan Crescent – Change in approval.
26 Sanctuary Close – Erection of Porch.
38 Hall Drive – Rear extension
25A Park Lane – Single storey extension and conversion of roof space.
The lack of planning permission for car wash in Widewater Place is being reported on by the HTRA the Environmental sub-committee.
At our request after the last meeting Cllr Jane Palmer has been looking into this for us and she has reported as follow:
High Street shops & Signage
Phat Shack – 12 High Street Harefield [planning enforcement ref: ENF/222/24]
The premises is known to the Planning Enforcement Team and both the shop front and fascia sign advertisement are subject to formal planning enforcement action. On 3 December 2024 the following planning enforcement notices were served:
(A) Without planning permission, the Erection of a single storey extension to rear and installation of new shopfront. The requirements of the Notice are:
(i) Demolish and Remove the single storey extension to rear.
(ii) Demolish and Remove the unauthorised shopfront and re-instate the shopfront to its condition prior to the unauthorised development taking place.
(B) Without advertisement consent, the installation of an externally illuminated fascia sign
(i) Demolish and Remove the externally illuminated fascia sign from the front of the premises
Both Notices take effect on 14 January 2025 and the compliance period is three calendar months.
A compliance inspection will take place shortly after 14 April 2025 to check that the requirements above have been completed. Failure to comply with the requirements of an enforcement notice is an offence under Section 179 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which on summary conviction, can result in an unlimited fine.
Sky Nails & Spa Harefield – 26 High Street Harefield [planning enforcement ref: ENF/63/25]
No previous reports have been received in relation to the advertisement at the Nail Bar which I understand to be ‘Sky Nails & Spa Harefield’. In view of the comments received I have opened a planning enforcement file and allocated to an officer to carry out a site inspection to assess the advertisement.
Please be aware that deemed advertisement consent is provided by Class 5 (advertisements on business premises) of the Advertisement Regs which covers a wide variety of notices,
signs and advertisements to draw attention to any commercial services, goods for sale, or any other services available at the premises where the advertisement is being displayed.
The following restrictions apply, an advertisement permitted by Class 5 must not:
– have any letters, figures, symbols or similar features in the design over 0.75 of a metre in height
– have its highest part at more than 4.6 metres above ground-level;
– have its highest part above the level of the bottom of the first-floor window in the wall where the advertisement is;
– be illuminated, unless the illumination is intended to indicate that medical or similar services or supplies are available at the premises.
Class 4 of the Advertisement Regs also provides certain deemed consent for illuminated advertisements. However, Class 4 does not extend to Conservation Areas and so will not apply in this case.
The assessment will consider whether the advertisement benefits from deemed advertisement consent. If the advertisement is found to be unauthorised, we will liaise with colleagues in the Design and Conservation Team and consider formal enforcement action such as the service of an Enforcement Notice.
Health
Heart Month
February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of heart health.
One key factor in reducing the risk of heart-related events is monitoring and managing blood pressure. High blood pressure often goes unnoticed, but it can significantly increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.
By regularly checking your blood pressure, you can catch issues early and work with your healthcare provider to make adjustments through lifestyle changes or medication.
Libraries that are participating in the Library Loan scheme are as follows:
- Uxbridge
- Botwell Green
- Ruislip Manor
- Harefield
This leaflet attached has tips on how to keep your heart happy!
Please share throughout the month.
Mental Health Awareness Workshop
Just another reminder to sign up to the Mental Health Awareness Workshop if you haven’t already: https://forms.office.com/e/iZdWncN9xr
Its on 20th February from 6:30pm-8pm at the Harefield Library
Police/Roads
We have had a reply from Cllr Jane Palmer re the HGV traffic issues & overweight lorries and she has replied as follows:
Overweight lorries, reference number 0556-7292-7197-2780 has been completed.
The small bridge on Breakspear Road North has a weight limit sign to prevent damage and ensure safety.
However, enforcement can be challenging due to limited resources and the need for continuous monitoring. The policy typically involves periodic checks and the use of traffic cameras for enforcement.
Currently, the Council does not have an enforcement camera in place at this location.
The sign is meant to act as a deterrent and warn overweight lorries not to pass this point. In view of your concerns, I will now liaise with my colleagues in the Transport and the highways team for assistance on obtaining a survey of use, this will then establish if a camera would be sufficient on the bridge.
The weight restriction cameras have been highlighted to our contractor as a fault was detected. These cameras are currently with the project team to be fixed and then reinstalled at the site.
You may be aware that these cameras work in sync with the other three Harefield cameras (listed below).
They each monitor the four access points into the centre of Harefield and will record HGVs that enter and automatically leave (e.g., are not entering for legitimate access). Each camera needs to be working for the configuration of the HGV zone to be enforced correctly. I hope that the above information adequately addresses your enquiry but if not, or if you have any further queries, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
A resident advised that from what she has heard is that the funding for the police (hire cars) for the village is due to end in April 25 & Cllr Goddard advised that the funding was paid for with unused funds from a previous year .
They do not know at this time if the cars will continue to be funded going forward or if the Met Police will be funded from April 25 onwards.
Events
– “History of the Royal British Legion” Harefield on Tuesday 4th March 8pm at the social club
– Harefield History Society: Feb 24th Behaviour Unbecoming by Paul Davidson
(Hillingdon Museums & Archives) 7;30pm Harefield Library
– A talk about “Pub Crawl in 1910” on 24th March by Keith Piercey, meetings are held at the library. Doors open at 7.00pm with the talk starting at 7.30pm.
It’s £4 for visitors or £10 to become a member until May 2025.
Tea/coffee and biscuits after most meetings.
HS2
(see enclosed hyperlink to the full HS2 document) download here
Road closured & events
- Community Engagement Drop-In Event at Ickenham Library – Fri 14/02 from 10am to 12 midday
- Community Engagement Drop-In Event at Harefield Community Centre – Wed 19/02 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
- Night Time Road Closures of Harvil Road at New Chiltern Line Bridge – 6 Nights a Week from Midnight to 5am – Mon 17/02 to Mon 17/03
- HS2 Community Event at Ruislip Rugby Club – Tue 25/02 4.00pm to 7.30pm
Environment
Following from Gillian’s new position within the environmental subcommittee she took on the task of dealing with the issue of the Widewater car wash as HTRA planning could see no plans applied for other than from the River Garden that had been refused.
After numerous emails back and forth with Councillor Goddard who stated numerous times that it was with the planning enforcement department I finally received a letter that they had breached planning and were to shut down immediately.
This is not just a planning problem but a major environmental issue as it needs to be looked into further where the waste water full of chemicals is/was going.
Hand car washes in the UK must comply with a number of legal requirements, including planning permission, environmental regulations, and health and safety regulations. Pollution Prevention lawfully states that businesses in the car wash industry must hold a trade effluent license to dispose of liquid waste. Your water supplier can help by completing
Heathrow 3rd Runway Proposal
Friends of the Earth have started a petition against the Heathrow 3rd runway proposal if anyone would like to sign it the link is below.
https://action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/stop-aviation-expansion
Friends of the Earth wrote:-
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ dangerous decision to press ahead with airport expansion – including at Heathrow – is hugely irresponsible given the deepening climate crisis.
It contradicts the government’s own climate advisers. And flies in the face of the Prime Minister’s promise to show international leadership on climate change.
But it’s far from a done deal. Politicians have been fighting over the future of the airport for years. We think there’s every chance we can still stop it – and other unnecessary airport expansion. So please speak up today by signing the petition.
Medi Parc
I wrote again to the Council’s Enforcement Officer regarding the Medi Parc, querying the fact that the earth or furrows/excavations have not been filled in which the Council indication would be done. In response the Council stated that they do not consider the changes of land to be significant at this point and the mounds do not appear to be creating any additional harm.
I informed the Enforcement Officer that the two mounds on the site are covering Japanese Knotweed.
His response is that because Japanese knotweed is present on the land they advised against any further works which could disturb the invasive species.
He also stated that the enforcement team will continue to monitor the site but did not consider any further action necessary.
AOB
A vote was held to bring the monthly meetings forward to 7pm, it was agreed unanimously that 7pm was acceptable
Action Points
None
Next Meeting
Meeting closed 8:25pm
Next Meeting Monday 10th March 2025 – 7:00pm Harefield Library
