Hillingdon Council approves flats despite sunlight fears

Hillingdon Council approved plans for a six-storey block of flats on Tavistock Road in West Drayton on October 14. The decision has drawn criticism from local residents, Georges and Justyna Farhart, who argue that the development will significantly reduce sunlight for their daughter.

The couple stated that their daughter would experience an 80 per cent reduction in sunlight in her room due to the proximity and height of the new building. They described the planning decision as 'grotesque' and felt that the council had abandoned its duty of care to constituents. Justyna Farhart, an architect, questioned the council's reasoning that less time is spent in bedrooms, stating that bedrooms are considered habitable rooms under building standards.

During the planning committee meeting, Councillor Philip Corthorne, who chaired the session, cited the potential costs associated with a future developer appeal as a factor in approving the plans. Georges Farhart told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the Chair explicitly pushed the approval through by citing the fear of the developer appealing.

Previous Planning History

Hillingdon Council had previously rejected an application for an eight-storey building on the same site, citing concerns about building height and the loss of light for neighbours. However, the developer appealed this decision to the national Planning Inspectorate. An independent inspector subsequently overturned the council's rejection and approved the eight-storey scheme in September 2022. This previous approval was not built within the stipulated three-year time limit.

A council planning officer noted that the BRE guidance, which informs daylight and sunlight assessments, leans away from safeguarding bedroom windows because residents spend less time awake in them. The officer also stated that the newly approved six-storey scheme offers an improved compliance rate over the previously approved eight-storey scheme.

Council Response

Hillingdon Council responded to the residents' concerns, stating that it is unfair to suggest their objections were not properly considered. The council said the impact on neighbouring properties was a significant part of the planning assessment and was carefully considered. They highlighted that the planning history, including the independent inspector's previous ruling that the development was acceptable in planning terms, formed an important part of the committee's considerations. The council added that the current approved development is two storeys lower than the previously approved scheme.

The council stated that residents' objections were assessed alongside the planning history, the inspector's ruling, and officers' recommendations. They acknowledged that some residents would be disappointed but maintained that the decision was reached with proper scrutiny.