Concerned neighbours have petitioned against plans for a five bedroom ‘eco’ house to be built in a wooded area.

The home, built on stilts and with an indoor swimming pool, would not look out of place on channel 4 programme Grand Designs.

The petition, led by Tony Wilkinson and Linzey Friend on behalf of neighbours, has been signed by 80 people so far, and was submitted to Hillingdon Council against the application by Nowsad Gani, of Ganco Ltd.

Mr Gani submitted a plan in 2009 to build nine houses on the same site, which sits behind Woodfield Terrace and Dovedale Close in Harefield .

At that time Mr Wilkinson, of Woodfield Terrace, collected 750 signatures opposing the application and succeeded in having it rejected by both the council and then on appeal to the planning inspectorate.

He hopes to do the same this time around. He said: “We are still collecting further signatures against this application, some local shops have forms for people to sign and I have been in the village collecting more signatures which we shall send off to the council in due course.”

He explained his reasons. “The area is right beside the Hillingdon Trail and next to Harefield allotments, separated by a footpath called Bird Lane which is used and much loved by dozens of walkers each day.

“The allotment holders are not very happy about it either. It is a Nature Conservation Site and is a part of Harefield’s green heritage.

“It should be cherished and protected.”

Petitioners also argue the project would increase traffic in a spot they say is already a serious problem for neighbours, and they have raised worries about access to the site for emergency vehicles.

However, Tony Mackintosh, agent for Mr Gani, said: “This application is an exciting opportunity to produce a very stunning and environmentally friendly property that takes its theme from its woodland surroundings and nearby canal.

“We have had environmental and arboricultural surveys carried out and we have designed it with raised floors, so that there will be as little disturbance as possible to any ecosystems.

“It’s a beautiful property and we are still talking to planners about the sustainable aspects of the build but that is why we have applied for outline planning permission.

“We will see what the planners want to see and take on board their recommendations for the final design.”

The council’s decision on the application is expected in early April. Plans can be viewed by going to hillingdon.gov.uk/planning and searching for application 66148/APP/2014/430

Do you like the scheme, or agree with the objectors? Email editorialuxbridge@trinitysouth.co.uk post to Letters, Gazette House, 28 Bakers Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1RG or send us a story