‘THE people’s choice’ means an eyesore has another chance to become a smart, useful building – but not everyone is totally happy.

Receivers handling the redevelopment of Initial House, in Field End Road, Eastcote – an office building that has stood vacant since 2008 – are in the process of putting together a new application for 42 flats to be built on the site.

On October 6, they held a public consultation at the Tudor Lodge Hotel, in Field End Road, showcasing the new designs for the front of the building, which includes space for a new shop on the ground floor.

More than 90 people attended and were able to vote on their preferred design for the flats.

But the chairman of Eastcote Conservation Panel, Lesley Crowcroft, says although the plans are welcome she has reservations about the building turning to flats.

She told the Gazette: “Everybody in Eastcote feels the same: we will be glad when something is done about it. It’s a total eyesore.”

Chris White, a spokesman for Savills, said: “We had 73 comments and a really high turn out so that is really really encouraging.

“Seven people objected to the plans, 29 left comments about concerns they had for the build and 16 people supported the redevelopment.

“We asked people to vote for which design for the exterior they liked best and 76 votes were cast. The clear winner was option two, which was the Metroland design, in keeping with the rest of the buildings along the high street.

“We agree that it is high time something is done because it's just an eyesore. This display was really about giving people a say."

Forty-eight parking spaces will be built in a basement to discourage street parking.

In their new plans, Savills have ensured the flats comply with the floor space rule, use sustainable design to reduce CO 2 emmisions and use the design chosen by the voting public.

It hopes to submit the planning application to Hillingdon Council at the end of October.