Plans are beginning to take shape for a major housing development of up to 325 homes on land at Joel Street Farm in Northwood Hills, close to the Harrow border.
The site covers around 10.8 hectares of grazing land and is currently made up of open fields used for horses. It sits around 500 metres south of Northwood Hills local centre, with Joel Street running along its western side.
A formal planning application has not yet been submitted.
Instead, developer Charterhouse Strategic Land has asked Hillingdon Council for a screening opinion to establish whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment will be needed when the scheme is brought forward.
Up to 325 homes proposed
The emerging plans are for up to 325 homes, with the developer stating that 50% would be affordable housing.
Around half of the site, approximately 5.4 hectares, is also proposed as publicly accessible open space, alongside new play areas, walking and cycling routes and landscaping.
Most homes would be two or three storeys, although the documents state that buildings could reach up to five storeys in parts of the development.
The site is close to Northwood Hills Underground Station, which is around 500 metres from the entrance, while bus stops can also be found along Joel Street and Norwich Road.
Green Belt land
The land is currently designated as Green Belt in Hillingdon’s Local Plan. The applicant argues that the site should be considered “Grey Belt” under national planning policy, saying it makes only a limited contribution to the wider purposes of the Green Belt. That position will ultimately need to be considered through the planning process.
A tributary of the River Pinn runs through the centre of the site, while parts of the land fall within Flood Zones 2 and 3. The documents say the layout is being designed to keep development away from areas considered to be at greater flood risk.
Ecological surveys have also identified a possible badger sett near the northern boundary, while the site has potential to support bats, birds, amphibians and other wildlife.
The screening request remains undecided. If the project moves forward, a full outline planning application would still need to be submitted and considered by Hillingdon Council.
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