A former place of worship in North Harrow could soon be used as a temporary venue for council meetings and other civic functions.
A planning application has been submitted by Harrow Council to change the use of the old Harrow Gospel Hall Church at 265 The Ridgeway in South Harrow. The building has been empty since February 2017 and was purchased by the council in March 2024.
If approved, the site could be used for Full Council meetings, citizenship ceremonies, planning hearings, and other civic functions for up to five years. The council says this would help meet operational needs following the closure of the Civic Centre.
This would be in addition to plans for a new SEND school on the site, which would accommodate 300 pupils to meet growing demand.
The application does not include any external alterations to the building. Only minor internal works are proposed, such as upgrades to electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning systems.
As part of the proposal, the hall would be fitted with modern technology, including digital audio systems, cameras, large screens, and a new council chamber layout. The site would also provide space for administrative functions and could be made available for community events like weddings or awards ceremonies.
The building sits on a 0.997-hectare site with 250 parking spaces and is close to West Harrow Station. It is also within walking distance of North Harrow and Rayners Lane stations. The site is currently surrounded by residential streets, allotments, and West Harrow Recreation Ground.
No changes are planned for the landscaping, and the council says the new use would have minimal impact on the surrounding area. Waste collection and servicing would be handled within the existing car park.
A spokesperson for Harrow Council said, “We are temporarily bringing the building back into use while we secure funding from DfE for a new SEND school. Once we hear back on our application we will go through the planning process for the new school. This temporary use for council and community meetings will also help save money from hire costs.”
The application is currently pending consideration and is expected to be decided by August.
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