AN ‘EYESORE’ is still no closer to being redeveloped after Hillingdon Council rejected plans to knock it down and replace it with a block of flats.

Local traders, neighbours and conservationists were united in their opposition to the plans by receivers Savills to put up a modern part four, part three-storey residential block of 42 flats on the site of the Initial House office building in Field End Road Eastcote, which has stood vacant for six years.

But after councillors unanimously voted against the scheme on Thursday night last week, overturning a recommendation from their own planning department, Savills admitted it did not know what was next for Initial House.

“We have got many options we will be reviewing,” development officer Stuart Jones told the Gazette, before ruling out any chance of reviving the idea for a Travelodge hotel. “Nothing has changed in that respect,” he said.

Five planning applications aimed at redeveloping Initial House have been submitted in as many years, but none has yet been successful.

Lesley Crowcroft, chairman of Eastcote Conservation Panel, said she was keen to speak to the developers, together with residents, councillors and traders, to discuss the future of the site.

She told the Gazette: “We applaud the decision of the planning committee to reject the flats because it would not have been good for anyone. We need to get together and talk about what prospects there are for the site.”

The decision to reject the flats came despite planning officers recommending they be approved. In their verdict, councillors bemoaned the lack of any improvement in design compared to a similar scheme that was unsuccessful in 2010.

All members of the north planning committee agreed that the flats were too high, too bulky, lacked amenity space and should not have a lead roof.

It was also heard that 30 out of the 42 flats proposed failed to meet the Mayor of London’s new standard requirement for minimum floor space.

Councillor Carol Melvin (Con) said: “I can’t believe we are being asked to approve something that is below standard.”

And Councillor Allan Kauffman (Con) concluded: “This site cries out for a decent development, but this does nothing for the street scene whatsoever.”