Construction starts on climate-friendly housing scheme in Hayes

Planning approval for the Maple and Poplar development, off Maple Road, was granted in 2018 and is the site of the former day care centre and care home, which were demolished later that year.  

Hillingdon Council is now breathing new life into the location, with a high-quality development delivering much-needed social housing.  

The new homes are being built in two blocks of 17, around a central car park. This will have capacity for 34 vehicles and will include eight parking bays with chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) and a further eight spaces earmarked for additional EV use to meet any future demand.  

The build will include the installation of large, underground 'attenuation crates' - these will be installed underneath the permeable tarmac surface of the car park to absorb surges of surface water following heavy rainfalls and prevent flash-flooding. These are a key component of the site's sustainable urban drainage (SuDS) measures.  

Further environmental features include solar panels on the roof to contribute to the power supply for lighting on the development The development also features landscaped gardens, a two-tier covered bike store and motorcycle parking.  

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "We're delighted to see work underway on this fabulous new development to deliver much-needed affordable homes in a sustainable way. 

"The build is a great example of how we'll factor the climate emergency into developments in future and ensure new builds are future-proofed against climate change, while reflecting the shift to more sustainable living, with solar panels and provision for electric vehicles." 

Work on the southern block is now underway and scheduled for completion in summer 2023, with work on the northern block to run concurrently. 

The site formerly housed two buildings; the Maple Day Care Centre which was decommissioned in 2015 and the Poplar Care Home, decommissioned the following year, after both became unfit for purpose. 

SuDS are special measures installed in urban environments to reduce flash-flooding and prevent over-loading local sewer systems, usually by storing water and releasing it slowly. These often include attenuation crates, or rain gardens.