Useful Info

A PLANNED move of West Drayton post office will go ahead.

The office will move just 150 yards, from number 17 to number 43 Station Road.

Post Office spokesman Alan Ridoutt said: "We are confident that the new service is suitably located and will meet the needs of our customers in the local community.

A PUB which closed last year is the latest to be lined up to become housing, after its new owners lodged a planning application to build 25 flats in its place.

The Swan in Swan Road, West Drayton, called time at about the same time as The Fox and Pheasant in nearby Station Road. It is destined to become a Tesco Express.

But The Swan was promptly bought by Inland Homes, developer of the 775-home Drayton Garden Village site in Porters Way, on the old National Air Traffic Service site.

The pub would be demolished, if Hillingdon Council approves the planning application.

In its planning statement, Inland Homes cites the Heathrow Opportunity Area, which includes West Drayton, as an area where new housing and growth should be supported.

The company adds: "The existing public house was poorly performing in business terms and the loss of this facility is not considered to result in harm to economic activity in the borough.

"The proposal would introduce employment through on-site careers. In the short term the proposal would generate construction jobs in the borough."

The flats would all be 'affordable' and supported living units: properties for people with disabilities or mental health problems.

YET again, another large warehouse fire filled the skies of the borough this weekend.

Firefighters rushed to a site in Stockley Close, West Drayton on Saturday, evacuating 33 people from surrounding premises.

The fire is the third large blaze at an industrial site this year, with the plume of smoke being seen for miles around.

The Brigade was called shortly after 10am with around three quarters of the ground floor, the first floor and the roof on fire.

It took 60 firefighters, who arrived in 12 engines, until 3pm to bring under control.

The fire caused the busy Stockley bypass to be closed for several hours, with motorists diverted to use other routes.

A DEVELOPMENT of flats and penthouses has won gold in three national awards for its construction.

Parkwest, in Porters Way, West Drayton, scooped prizes for 'considerate construction', for health and safety, from the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents.

The development on the former RAF West Drayton site opened in 2007 and work is still ongoing to finish the next phase of apartments, due for completion in Winter later this year.

TIME is running out to nominate outstanding members of the community for a Local Hero award.

This is the final week for entries into the ninth annual competition, run jointly by the Uxbridge Gazette and Leader Series, and Uxbridge College.

The Local Hero campaign acknowledges the hard work, dedication and determination shown by people who live, work or volunteer in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

It celebrates people who have put others first, overcome adversity or made a contribution to their local community.

THE best preserved historic barn in the whole country is in need of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of repairs- but a legal fight is threatening the project.

Harmondsworth Barn is Hillingdon's best kept secret, built in 1423, but a mystery has surrounded it since it was taken over by an offshore company in 2006.

Described by English Heritage as a national treasure it is often referred to as 'The Timber Cathedral of Middlesex.'

At 192 feet long and 37 feet high, the barn is in impeccable condition despite the surviving more than half a millennium.

Or at least it was.

The barn was bought in 2006 as an investment for a company based in Gibraltar for as little as £1, who refer to themselves as Harmondsworth Barn Ltd.

INSPIRATIONAL people in the community are once again being asked to step into the spotlight, as the Uxbridge Gazette and Leader, together with Uxbridge College, launches the ninth Local Heroes awards.

Our annual competition, which began yesterday (30), recognises the incredible bravery, commitment and dedication shown by unsung heroes across the borough, who have triumphed against the odds or put others' needs before their own.

Anyone who lives, works or volunteers in Hillingdon can be nominated in the five following categories: Outstanding Young Person; Star Carer; Courageous Citizen; Fabulous Fundraiser and Community Champion.

TWO storeys of a house in West Drayton were badly damaged by fire this morning. (Monday)

Four fire engines and 20 firefighters tackled the blaze which took hold at around 1.40am.

Fire crews from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon and Feltham all rushed to the scene in Hanson Close, West Drayton.

The Fire Brigade said that all occupants are believed to have escaped injuries.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

AN ISLAMIC educational centre looking for a home is hoping they will soon be able to set up in one of the borough's town centres.

The Falah Islamic Education Centre, have lodged a planning application requesting a change of use for a building on St Stephens Road, Yiewsley.

The Forge building was recently used as a food distribution warehouse up until three months ago, and is located behind the Morrison's store in Yiewsley High Street, overlooking the Grand Union Canal.

It was once the home of Drayton Precision engineering for three decades up until the company dissolved in 2000.

Abu Miah, of Vine Close, West Drayton, said in his planning submission: "The local Muslim community is desperately searching for an educational and cultural centre.

"The need for such an establishment cannot be stressed enough.

"The Forge building has all the amenity space to provide a sufficient accommodation for the needs of FIEC.

"As this building is leased for two years we hope to gain permission on a temporary basis until more suitable, freehold premises are located."

The FIEC's plans involve opening the centre seven days a week, including Sundays and Bank Holidays, between 6am and 11pm, and would employ four full-time staff.

A total of four parking spaces are available, but the centre say they have chosen a town centre location so attendees can walk there. Eight cycle spaces will also be allocated.

Mr Miah added: "The intention for the project is to establish a community and culture centre which is self-financed and based on charitable contributions from the local community.

"It is targeting the local community by providing social, religious, recreational and educational activities.

"Therefore the main priority of the centre management is to ensure that no harm or disruption is caused by its presence in the area and to provide every possible support to the society through all possible means."

The centre will cater for up to 35 children at a time for Islamic Studies and Quran lessons, and offer sessions for all age groups, including the elderly.

Hillingdon Council are considering the application, and will make a decision within the next couple of months, at a date yet to be announced.

Is an Islamic education centre something you would like to see in the area?

AN ISLAMIC educational centre looking for a home is hoping they will soon be able to set up in one of the borough's town centres.

The Falah Islamic Education Centre, have lodged a planning application requesting a change of use for a building on St Stephens Road, Yiewsley.

The Forge building was recently used as a food distribution warehouse up until three months ago, and is located behind the Morrison's store in Yiewsley High Street, overlooking the Grand Union Canal.

It was once the home of Drayton Precision engineering for three decades up until the company dissolved in 2000.

Abu Miah, of Vine Close, West Drayton, said in his planning submission: "The local Muslim community is desperately searching for an educational and cultural centre.

"The need for such an establishment cannot be stressed enough.

"The Forge building has all the amenity space to provide a sufficient accommodation for the needs of FIEC.

"As this building is leased for two years we hope to gain permission on a temporary basis until more suitable, freehold premises are located."

The FIEC's plans involve opening the centre seven days a week, including Sundays and Bank Holidays, between 6am and 11pm, and would employ four full-time staff.

A total of four parking spaces are available, but the centre say they have chosen a town centre location so attendees can walk there. Eight cycle spaces will also be allocated.

Mr Miah added: "The intention for the project is to establish a community and culture centre which is self-financed and based on charitable contributions from the local community.

"It is targeting the local community by providing social, religious, recreational and educational activities.

"Therefore the main priority of the centre management is to ensure that no harm or disruption is caused by its presence in the area and to provide every possible support to the society through all possible means."

The centre will cater for up to 35 children at a time for Islamic Studies and Quran lessons, and offer sessions for all age groups, including the elderly.

Hillingdon Council are considering the application, and will make a decision within the next couple of months, at a date yet to be announced.

Is an Islamic education centre something you would like to see in the area?