Orchard/Premier Inn/LIDL

we have received this information from Ruislip residents but the plans will have a severe impact on traffic etc through Ickenham
We supported the opposition to the development last time
 

Lidl is very much back in Ruislip — in fact, it appears it never really left. It has purchased The Orchard site, and this morning it began delivering 5,000 leaflets to local households inviting residents to give feedback on its latest pre‑application draft proposals.

Two articles are on the Ruislip Residents’ Association website.

Lidl to Begin Leaflet Drop to 5000 Households This Week: Residents Encouraged to Give Feedback on Early Draft Proposals | Ruislip Residents’ Association
https://www.ruislipresidents.org.uk/lidl-to-begin-leaflet-drop-to-5000-households-this-week-residents-encouraged-to-give-feedback-on-early-draft-proposals/

and

Lidl Local Consultation Has Begun: 5,000 Leaflets are being Delivered – Residents Encouraged to Review and Comment | Ruislip Residents’ Association

https://www.ruislipresidents.org.uk/lidl-local-consultation-has-begun-5000-leaflets-are-being-delivered-residents-encouraged-to-review-and-comment/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSVLGVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETB1dGUyNHpPak83Rmc0UE5ac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsjbisPfVcK55qxf5jogvu_Gjs1KtvloAq_y7iPMMAVrEGcIGhutccWBUqiY_aem_PmYUy326pqHAAmsvyU3ZWA

The latter includes PDF copies of the consultation form and the leaflet that have started arriving through letterboxes today. From what we’re seeing on social media, some residents in Ickenham have already received their copies as well.

This is an important moment for residents to understand what Lidl are proposing and to provide feedback before any planning application is submitted. Feel free to share this information with your members.

The Ruislip Residents’ Association (RRA) has quickly reviewed the new leaflet.

While Lidl highlights design tweaks, landscaping and memorial features, the key issues that led Hillingdon Council to refuse the 2025 application remain unaddressed.

The plans still propose demolishing a building with recognised wartime historical significance, replacing it with a design that does not reflect the character of the Ruislip Village Conservation Area.

Most concerning is the lack of any meaningful improvement to traffic, access or safety. This stretch of Ickenham Road is already heavily congested, and the previous refusal cited unsafe right‑turn movements, risks of queues backing onto the White Bear Roundabout, and conflicts with pedestrians and cyclists.

Lidl’s revised material offers no new solutions.

Ickenham and Swakeleys Horticultural Society: May update and Plant Sale reminder

From the Society:
 
We hope you are enjoying the warmer, sunnier weather and planning what to plant out in your garden for the summer.

Plant Sale – Wednesday 13th May,  2.30pm – 6.00pm

Don’t forget our annual Plant Sale on Wednesday 13th May at the Horticultural Hut.  This is an ideal opportunity to find just what you need for your summer planting.  There will be an assortment of flowering bedding plants as well as a variety of shrubs, roses and perennials.   And if you know of any non-members who are interested they can always join the society on the day to take advantage of the sale.

We would greatly appreciate any offers of help and also welcome any donations of plants, cuttings and seedlings that we can sell.  Donations can be pot plants, herbs, flowering plants, shrubs and vegetable seedlings, that you have grown yourself or no longer need – so long as they are healthy and good enough to buy.  Please make sure donations are labelled so we know what we are selling and that they are watered.

You can bring your donations along on the day or contact us to arrange collection. 

Talk at Ruislip Central Horticultural Society
 
Our neighbouring horticultural society is hosting an event which some of our members might like to attend. The event is ‘An evening with Matthew Pottage and Fergus Garrett’ taking place on Tuesday 13th October 2026 at 8pm at The Winston Churchill Theatre in Ruislip. 

Matthew Pottage is the Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy for The Royal Parks charity. He is also a regular on BBC Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question Time, as well as Gardeners’ World. 

Fergus Garrett is the Chief Executive and Head Gardener at Great Dixter Charitable Trust. Fergus has been described as one of the most influential living garden designers and horticultural educators in Britain today.

This event is bound to sell out fast, so if you wish to attend, click on the Ruislip Central’s website ruisliphorticultural.org.uk for tickets, which are priced at £28 for non-members (£18 tickets are Ruislip central members only). Their website has contact details if you have any questions or queries. 
 
If you have any queries or suggestions on improving the society, please contact secretary@ickenham-horticultural.org.uk.

Ickenham & Swakeleys Horticultural Society