A HARD-FOUGHT planning appeal that centres on the services offered at a former opticians in West Drayton will be decided within the next six weeks.
Until 2009, Colne Park House, in Colham Mill Road, West Drayton, was Crockford Mills opticians.
The property is now leased by the Heathrow Education and Welfare Association (HEWA), which wants to turn it into a community centre and place of worship.
The council knocked back a bid by HEWA to change the use of the site, from class A (retail) to class D (non-residential use), last summer.
In November, the council told HEWA to stop using the premises for prayer and it was agreed members would first seek formal permission. HEWA are challenging the decision on the grounds that Crockford Mills, as well as selling glasses, offered specialist treatment for serious eye conditions and should therefore be reclassified as a class D premises, which would allow them to go ahead with their plans without the need to change its use.
On Tuesday last week the council, which wants to keep it as a shop, and representatives from HEWA made their arguments to an independent inspector who will have the final say.
The local authority is being backed by the Garden City Estate Residents' Association (GCERA), which is concerned about the traffic a place of worship would bring.
In preparation, GCERA submitted personal statements and eye prescriptions from past customers to try and convince the planning inspector of its historic retail function.
Because of the complexity of the case, the decision was put on hold for a site visit to be carried out, and a final ruling is due in up to six weeks.
About 50 GCERA members turned up for the appeal hearing, and Janet Sweeting, the association secretary said: “We as residents are very concerned that the financial viability of many small businesses will be adversely affected, and there would be nothing that could be done.
“We want to be good neighbours but the safety of residents and the financial viability of our local stores is of overriding interest to us.”
The Gazette could not contact anyone from HEWA, despite repeated attempts.
