A major 800-home Harrow regeneration project has taken another step forward after the first phase of the development was given the green light. The scheme will deliver 149 homes on the site of an old driving school, which has been empty for more than 20 years, but won’t hit the council’s own affordable housing targets.
Harrow Council approved the plans for ‘Phase 1’ of a joint venture alongside property developers Wates. The project aims to deliver affordable homes and public spaces at two sites in the borough – the former driving school in Wealdstone South and the council’s old headquarters at the Civic Centre on Station Road.
The first phase, which was approved at a special meeting of Harrow Council’s Planning Committee earlier this month (February 6), relates to the old driving school – which has most recently been used for mini bus parking by the council. Named Byron Quarter, the development will provide 149 new homes – 44 of which will be classified as ‘affordable’.
The 149 homes will be split between a six-storey apartment block, comprising 78 of the properties, with the remaining 71 made up of rows of two and three-bedroom terraced houses. Of the total number of new homes, 27 per cent will be affordable – far below the council’s own target of 40 per cent. Harrow Council officers claim this is because the profit is ‘lower than anticipated’ for a scheme of the scale.
The affordable homes will comprise ten at social rent – and 34 will be shared ownership. The council say this will be the minimum that will be provided, with reviews to be carried out throughout the project and, if it is delivered under cost, then more affordable housing numbers can be included.
The site, which sits adjacent to the nearby leisure centre, is currently tarmacked and has been the subject of continuous fly-tipping in recent years. It has walking and cycling links to Byron Park, as well as the Belmont Trail to the east – which is a designated conservation area. Following discussions with residents earlier in the year, the low-rise development had its height reduced to better integrate with the character of the neighbourhood.
The council claims the project will contribute to an ‘era of growth and development’ and help foster a ‘vibrant and inclusive’ community in the borough. Following approval, construction work is expected to start on-site in mid 2025, with the first residents anticipated to move into new homes by autumn 2026.
Deputy Leader of Harrow Council and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, said: “This is an exciting step in unlocking the potential for this under-used urban site left empty for 20 years to deliver much needed, high-quality homes for families in Harrow.”
She added: “Our regeneration plans for Harrow are ambitious. We have listened to the community, delivering plans that reflect the character of the local neighbourhood. Byron Quarter will deliver much needed, new, and affordable family-sized accommodation including council homes, open and green spaces and public squares where Harrow people want to live.”
The Regional Development Director at Wates said the company are ‘thrilled’ to have been granted planning permission for the scheme, which he calls an ‘important milestone’ in delivering much-needed homes that will ‘benefit the entire community.”
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
