A LODGE for severely handicapped people in Heston will be overshadowed by a four storey block of flats, fear local residents, after developers were given the go-ahead on their plans this week.

Davenport Lodge, which houses 19 handicapped adults, sits next to the old Territorial Army Centre on Vicarage Farm Road, where plans have been laid to build a complex of 60 flats and 9 houses.

It's feared a wooden fence separating the two properties was insubstantial, and people standing on the balconies of their new homes would be able to look down on gardens surrounding the Lodge.

Residents of The Croft, in Heston, on the other side of the development are also angry, objecting to the size, density and design of the proposals.

Vivienne Blackett, of the Heston Residents Association, spoke out at the Sustainable Development Meeting on Monday night (April 28th): I'm astounded that the planning department would try to push through such a decision. We deserve better than this.''

Councillor Peter Hills, from the Bedfont ward, also objected to the development: I'm still very concerned it is not in character with the surrounding buildings. I can't support this application.''

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Permission has already been refused at least three times for residential development on the site, dating back to December 2001.

However the majority of councillors approved the application at the packed meeting on Monday night, with added conditions that PVC double glazing be fitted to all windows, and screening of balconies facing Davenport Lodge be installed.

It was also recommended that the developer seriously looks at using solar panels'' on the roof of the new building though it's not an obligation of planning permission.

Treasurer of the HRA, David Blackett spoke to the Times of his disappoint-ment at the decision: We are extremely concerned that the site is over developed. We are not happy with the design features, and are concerned about the loss of privacy in The Croft and Davenport Lodge.

There were too few car parking spaces provided that will create overspill in local streets. The local infrastructure won't be able to cope, many of the GP practises are over subscribed, and that's an understatement:

Heston deserves better''.

Council officers had concluded in their report to the council that an earlier appeals inspector had found the site suitable for more residential development, and changes on previous designs improved the appearance of the front block, and had moved back flats on the boundary with The Croft to prevent overlooking.

May 1, 2003 16:00