People living in the Pembroke Park Estate in Eastcote have rallied together to save their community hall.

The developer, Taylor Wimpey won the contract to build homes on the former RAF Eastcote site under the condition they provide neighbours with a fully functional community hall.

But during the construction of the hall, builders discovered issues with the building including what they thought to be subsidence.

According to neighbours, the developer made an executive decision to build a number of pillars into the community hall without consulting people living on the estate or Hillingdon Council - even though this went against approved plans.

The interior of the community centre as it was being built in 2012 with pillars that were not part of the approved plans

The estate, accessed by Eastcote Road or Lime Grove, has had it's fair share of problems with both the developer and its manager A2Dominion.

Suzy Killip, vice-chairman of the Pembroke Park Residents' Association, said: "When residents moved here we were promised a community hall.

"Pembroke Park contains a variety of residents, from families with young children to the retired, so we need a community space that can be used in many ways.

"Taylor Wimpey have unilaterally decided to install a number of small meeting rooms into our community space. This is unacceptable to us," she said.

The residents hope a community hall will provide a space for a youth club for young children and teenagers to help alleviate reported anti-social behaviour issues on the estate.

The neighbours would also like a central meeting point for social and cultural activities to bring families on the estate together, as well as a place to hold Residents' Association meetings.    

Taylor Wimpy have now applied for retrospective planning permission so the pillars can remain but residents have petitioned against the application.

Pembroke Estate, Eastcote

Eastcote and East Ruislip ward councillor Nick Denys said: "Taylor Wimpy should keep their commitment to residents.

"They are trying to change the rules in the middle of the game. When the developer discovered problems with the build they should have fixed it in a way that meant that the community hall remained true to the agreed plans.

"Instead they did what they wanted to do without considering what people on the estate need. It feels like Taylor Wimpy are happy to cut corners at the expense of residents, just for the sake of a bit more profit." 

The planning application is expected to be heard by the council's Major Applications Planning Committee before September.