Fact-checking the London Plan home building debate: Who really decides where we build?

Hillingdon Council warns that the Mayor's Draft London Plan will "force" 24,030 new homes onto the borough over 10 years, with 61% on Green Belt land - the highest share of any London borough.  Both figures are accurate.  But the council's own explanation of how this system works doesn't match the alarm it's raising. Who actually decides where the homes go?

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Bailed Out After 15 Years of Inaction: Independent Report on Hillingdon Council Exposes “No Political Will” and “No Credible Alternative”

So alarming they renamed it: What the Independent Review really found Tonight, the government finally published its damning independent review into Hillingdon Council's finances. The report, written in May by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), is far blunter than anything on the Council's own news pages — and its findings led directly to the government issuing a formal…

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Plans are being formed for a proposal of 800 new homes at the Master Brewer

Residents may have noticed a new planning reference appear on the council website for the former Master Brewer site - the derelict hotel and pub plot at the junction of Long Lane and Freezeland Way, close to Hillingdon Underground station. Here's what it means, and what to expect next. What is being proposed? Developer Jaysam Contractors Ltd is preparing to bring forward a major redevelopment of the 3.39-hectare site, which has stood vacant since the old Master Brewer motel and pub were demolished in 2012.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Fed up with late-night fireworks? The government is consulting on new rules – here’s how to respond

The Office for Product Safety and Standards has launched a public consultation on fireworks and pyrotechnics regulation across the UK, and it's a chance for Ruislip residents to make their views heard. The consultation opened this week and runs through August and September, looking at whether to: Restrict the noisiest fireworks to professional users, with several options on the table for lowering the current 120 decibel limit for consumer fireworks…

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Further Education Colleges in Hayes

Ruslip Residents' Association have been asked to make their residents aware of two Further Education Colleges in Hayes that may be of interest to parents and young people of school leaving age. De Salis Studio College, Hewens Road and Parkside Studio College, Wood End Green Road, have open days that can be booked on the following websites. Unfortunately, we only received their request yesterday (July 13th.) with the dates and the last day to book is this Friday, July 17th.!

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Lady Bankes Primary School’s Year Six Show

On Thursday, July 9th the Year Six pupils presented their traditional end of primary school show. The title, Pirates of the Curry Bean, indicated to the large audience of proud parents that this was a story that they would find amusing as well as entertaining. We learn that their ship is so named because the pirates' favourite meal is (yes, you've guessed it!) curry and beans.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Hosepipe Ban starts next Friday (17th July) for Ruislip and Ruislip Manor

Affinity Water is introducing a hosepipe ban affecting Ruislip and Ruislip Manor, as part of a wider ban across its Central region. The ban is a formal statutory notice under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, and comes into force from 00:01 on Friday 17 July 2026. Why the ban has been introduced Last month was the warmest June on record for England, with temperatures reaching as high as 37.7°C, and hot, dry weather has continued since.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Pay & Display machines to be removed in favour of Pay by Phone, and Hillingdon First free parking reduced

The Future of Pay & Display Machines In January we suspected the £95,000 budgeted saving for "changes to parking payment options" would mean a reduction in the number of physical ticket machines, pointing to the council's phone-only parking trial at the Beck Theatre as a likely blueprint. Hillingdon Council has now confirmed that this is exactly the direction it is heading.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Petition on proposed changes to Council’s Residents’ Petition Scheme

Support transparency and public accountability The Hillingdon Alliance of Residents’ Associations has launched a borough‑wide petition regarding proposed changes to the Council’s Residents’ Petition Scheme. The changes are scheduled to be voted on by all Councillors at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 9 July. The proposals would: Increase local and planning petition thresholds from 20 signatures to 50…

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Planning Approval: Six Flats Behind Tesco Express – Facade Restoration and Alleyway Improvements

The London Borough of Hillingdon approved the revised planning application Ref: 11894/APP/2026/746 on 2nd July for the conversion of the rear and upper floors behind Tesco Express, 122–124 High Street, Ruislip. The ground-floor Tesco store remains unchanged. What has been approved The scheme allows the developer to: Convert the vacant rear and upper floors into six residential flats (Class C3).

ruislipresidents.org.uk

What the heritage bodies say about the Barn Hotel redevelopment

Because many residents have asked if , or think the listed buildings are being demolished (they are not), it is worth briefly summarising the views of the two statutory heritage consultees: Historic England and the Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service (GLAAS). Historic England: “A Considerable Improvement” and a Heritage‑Led Scheme Historic England has reviewed the revised proposals and is broadly supportive.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Why there will be no affordable homes at the Barn Hotel redevelopment (Despite the Council’s best efforts)

Many residents have understandably asked why the redevelopment of The Barn Hotel on West End Road will consist entirely of private housing, with no affordable homes included. Given that local planning policy normally seeks around 35% affordable housing on schemes of this size, the absence of any such provision has caused concern. The short answer is this: after detailed financial scrutiny, the scheme has not been shown to generate enough surplus to fund affordable housing without becoming loss-making.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Appeal Lodged – 73 High Street Against Planning Refusal for a Bingo Hall (Adult Gaming Centre)

Following the RRA's concerns regarding the outdated evidence and procedural flaws in the planning assessment for 73 High Street, that might risk prejudicing any subsequent appeal. Request for Management Review – Officer Report Accuracy and Procedural Conduct | Ruislip Residents’ Association, an appeal has now been lodged against Hillingdon Council’s refusal of the application at 73 High Street, Ruislip…

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Bishop Ramsey School’s Annual Prize Giving

On Thursday, June 30th. the school held its Prize Giving for the Academic Year 2025/6. Visitors gathered in the Atrium half an hour before the beginning of the ceremony. There was a welcome performance by the Jazz Band and cool drinks were being served and students were offering tasty nibbles that they had prepared. When everyone was seated in the hall 

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Planning Applications Decided within CA in December 2025

Planning Applications APPROVED:   Ref Address Application Date of Decision 71603/APP/ 2025/2769 19 Bury Street Installation of solar panels on rear and side of roof and on the existing rear extension   18/12/2025   Planning Applications REFUSED: Ref Address Application Date of Decision 11021/APP/ 2025/2587 33 High Street Boots Opticians Replacement shopfront and entrance door to first floor 02/12/2025 Planning Application with SPLIT DECISION:

ruislipresidents.org.uk

9 Sharps Lane – Planning Application for an 18 Bed Care Home REFUSED

Overview of the Application Hillingdon Council has refused the planning application for an 18‑bed care home at 9 Sharps Lane (Ref: 73218/APP/2026/706). The formal decision notice was published earlier today, and the RRA has now reviewed the full officer’s report see link to it here Site Context and Heritage Significance 9 Sharps Lane occupies one of the narrowest and most historic sections of the lane, close to the Bury Street junction and opposite a row of 19th‑century cottages that contribute to the traditional village character.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Cardiac Risk In The Young Screening Held At Warrender Primary School

The Charity CRY held its screening programme on Sunday, June 14th. at Warrender School. The reason the school was chosen as the venue was because James Markham, an ex pupil of the school, tragically lost his life to an undiagnosed cardiac condition in 2001 aged 21 years of age. His parents, Jeff & Sandra, requested that this special first memorial screening dedicated to James' memory, could be hosted by their son's primary school.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Lidl Local Consultation Has Begun: 5,000 Leaflets are being Delivered – Residents Encouraged to Review and Comment

Further to the article on Sunday Lidl to Begin Leaflet Drop to 5000 Households This Week: Residents Encouraged to Give Feedback on Early Draft Proposals | Ruislip Residents’ Association  Lidl has now begun its pre‑application consultation on revised proposals for a new foodstore at the former Orchard pub site on Ickenham Road. Around 5,000 households in the surrounding area are receiving a leaflet and a FREEPOST feedback form through their letterboxes this week.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

11 Woodville Gardens (HMO Application) Ref: 75895/APP/2026/164 REFUSED

Proposal: Change of use from single dwelling (C3) to 4‑bed HMO (C4), including garage conversion. Hillingdon Council has refused the application to convert 11 Woodville Gardens into a four‑person House in Multiple Occupation. The officer report identifies three key reasons for refusal, summarised below. Substandard Living Conditions for Future Occupiers The proposal offered only a small, shared kitchen as the sole communal space for four unrelated adults.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Planning Enforcement Notice for 29 Torrington Road for unauthorised HMO is Under Appeal

Following our announcement that Hillingdon Council issued a Planning Enforcement Notice for 29 Torrington Road relating to: Unauthorised use as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Unauthorised rear extension Planning Enforcement Notice issued for 29 Torrington Rd for unauthorised HMO use and rear extension The owner has now lodged an appeal against this Enforcement Notice. You can view the appeal documents on the London Borough of Hillingdon planning portal by searching under reference…

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Lidl to Begin Leaflet Drop to 5000 Households This Week: Residents Encouraged to Give Feedback on Early Draft Proposals

Following our recent update on Lidl’s intention to prepare a revised planning application for The Orchard site Lidl Prepares a New Planning Bid for The Orchard Supermarket: The RRA Awaits the Facts Before Judging | Ruislip Residents’ Association  the RRA can now confirm that around 5,000 households will receive a leaflet this week as part of Lidl’s pre‑application public consultation. This forms part of the early engagement process and is not a planning application; nothing has yet been submitted to Hillingdon Council.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Warrender Primary School’s Free Screening for Young People

Warrender School is hosting a free screening day on Sunday, June 14th. for Cardiac Risk in Young People 14 - 35 years old. This will be run by the charity CRY. Every week in the UK at least twelve young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. The chariry's vision is "Preventing young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening, research and supporting affected families." 

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Available Upon Request? Why Hillingdon Must Restore Transparency on Statutory Planning Responses

Hillingdon Council is failing to publish vital expert advice on its public planning portal. Across several live local applications, formal consultation responses from statutory heritage and archaeology experts have been kept off the public record, with officers stating they are only provided "upon request". The Ruislip Residents’ Association has submitted a formal report to the Council's Director of Planning, calling for an immediate end to this practice and demanding that the public planning file is made genuinely accessible to residents before any further decisions are taken.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Silence from the Civic Centre: A Child Receives CPR at the Lido While Councillors Focus on Supermarkets and Party Politics

This past week brought a terrifying escalation to Ruislip Lido - one that local residents have spent years warning was inevitable.  Over a 24-hour window spanning Monday 25 May and Tuesday 26 May, Reservoir Road was completely paralysed on two consecutive days by two different massive emergency responses. Yet, while the community waits in agonising suspense for an official update on a young child pulled unconscious from the water, our local ward councillors have entirely vanished from the discussion. 

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Lidl Prepares a Third Planning Bid for The Orchard Supermarket: The RRA Awaits the Facts Before Judging

Almost exactly a year after the London Borough of Hillingdon Planning Committee unanimously refused Lidl’s application to demolish The Orchard and build a supermarket, the retailer is back for another attempt. Lidl’s new public relations representatives contacted the Ruislip Residents’ Association this afternoon to announce that a revised scheme is being prepared.  They have requested an initial meeting with the RRA to brief us on their updated plans before they launch a new pre-application public consultation.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

“An Active Public Safety Hazard”: Open Letter to Hillingdon Council Over Lido Gridlock

We have received a copy of an open letter addressed to Steve Tuckwell (Leader of Hillingdon Council), Phillip Corthorne, John Riley and Peter Smallwood (Ruislip's ward councillors) and Hillingdon Council's Complaints department, and reproduce it in full, below: URGENT FORMAL COMPLAINT & SAFETY ESCALATION: Re - Dangerous Driving, Traffic Evasion, and Shift-Worker Sleep Deprivation on Ducks Hill Road I am writing to lodge a formal corporate complaint regarding the unmanaged traffic crisis on Ducks Hill Road caused by visitors to Ruislip Lido.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

RRA’s Proposed Upgrade for Ruislip Bus Station

The recent re-routing of several buses in Ruislip due to congestion at Ruislip Bus Station has been causing problems for our residents, and especially the many visitors who come on hot days for Ruislip Lido. TfL have still not explained exactly what the problems are that caused it to suddenly remove Ruislip STation from the H13 and U10 routes. We and our councillors have asked but are still awaiting a reply.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Fewer Eyes on the Money: Why Residents Should Challenge Hillingdon’s New Scrutiny System

At a time when Hillingdon is under serious financial pressure, the Council has slashed routine financial scrutiny. Here is why residents are fighting back. At the same Annual Council meeting where Hillingdon changed the rules on sealed contracts and debt write-offs, it also changed the way financial scrutiny is organised. This may turn out to be the most important change of all.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

After Cowley Meeting Hall: Hillingdon Rewrites the Rulebook to Move Debt Out of Sight

From constitutional changes to closed-door decisions: how the Council reacted to a local scandal. This article is not about whether the Theo’s Café lease was lawful or unlawful. It is about what Hillingdon Council did next. At the Annual Council meeting on 14 May 2026, the newly re-elected Conservative administration approved a package of major constitutional changes. Those changes included removing elected councillors from the process of sealing contracts, and radically altering the rules for writing off individual debts.

ruislipresidents.org.uk

Theo’s Café Update: A Missed Deadline, an ICO Investigation, and a Police Report

The Council has defaulted on its FOI obligations, the Information Commissioner has stepped in, and the original lease arrangement has been reported to the police. Here is what Hillingdon Council still refuses to answer. When we first exposed the Theo’s Café contradiction, the central question was straightforward: how did a Council lease that appeared to prohibit subletting lead to a private occupation arrangement worth £1,500 a month - and did the Council receive the income it had expected?

ruislipresidents.org.uk