Flats plan for Reindeer pub site

A NOTORIOUS pub remembered for its bad track record and its clamping problems could soon be turned into flats.

Two blocks of flats will be built on the former site of The Reindeer pub in Maxwell Road, Northwood, if planning permission is approved.

Lawrence Bailey, shop manager at www.completegolfer.co.uk in Maxwell Road, said; "Anything is better than The Reindeer because it was pretty rough. I think everyone was pretty happy when it closed.

"We had quite a lot of problems outside as well with our customers' cars getting clamped."

Anil Patel, owner of Jackdaw, said: "There was always fights at The Reindeer and we had a lot of problems with the clampers. Our customers were getting clamped and they were not coming back.
"We don't mind if it's flats."

However, Northwood Residents' Association planning consultant, Alan Prue, has been through the application with a fine tooth comb and is not happy with the plans.

He said: "Our initial view was that almost anything is better than The Reindeer, but this application falls into the almost category.

"It's a two block monstrosity that exceeds the height of buildings in Northwood by at least two storeys generally.

"I put our objections into Hillingdon Council yesterday (Thursday)."

The application was submitted to the council in June and the decision is due by November 14.

As well as 14 flats within the two blocks, the application is also asking for commercial space on the ground floor and associated parking

Mr Prue said: "If the commercial space is shops we have no objection to that, provided they don't put up lots more building societies. We have enough of those already.

"We would not be too keen on a Tesco or a Sainsbury's. We are an aging population and it would be nice to walk to the shops to get what you want, rather than having to drive to a supermarket."

To comment on the application go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk, write to Planning Department, Civic Centre, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW, or email planning@hillingdon.gov.uk. The closing date for comments is September 19.