A newly opened Art Park in Harrow has sparked criticism from opposition councillors who claim the space remains largely unused and is costing taxpayers money.
The site, located at Greenhill Way Car Park, was launched by Harrow Council in early June as part of a wider effort to support the arts in the borough. However, nearly a month on, concerns have been raised about its usage and cost.
Local Labour councillors argue that the Conservative-led council failed to properly plan the project, with no artists currently using the space as intended. Some of the units are reportedly being occupied by businesses, including a cake and rug shop.
Greenhill Ward councillor Aneka Shah-Levy said: “While I and my fellow ward Councillors will always celebrate a new avenue for artists being opened in Harrow, I am disappointed to see that Harrow Council have once again failed to launch an initiative that costs tax-payers thousands. While the site sits unused due to Harrow Council’s inability to plan and co-ordinate effectively, hundreds of pounds in taxpayers’ money is likely being wasted on keeping the lights on all day, every day.”
She added: “Harrow Council really need to get their act together and provide full transparency for residents as to why the site is not being used for its intended purpose, and what work is being done to get the Art Park operational as soon as possible. Otherwise, to residents it just looks like the lights are on, but nobody’s home.”
Labour councillors have also pointed to issues around affordability and conditions at the site, with some local artists reporting high rents and hot conditions inside the units. Others said they had contacted the council to express interest in using the space but received no response.
In response, Harrow Council Leader Cllr Paul Osborn defended the project and criticised Labour’s comments. “It is sad to see yet another poorly thought through political attack by Harrow’s Labour Councillors,” he said.
“The Art Park is barely one month old. As a normal part of any opening of a new venue it will take a few weeks/months to get full occupancy, and the Council is learning and adapting as we go along.”
He said the site is managed by the Meanwhile Foundation, which is currently in talks with local artists and groups to occupy the space.
“This Conservative administration is proud to support Harrow’s artists and creative industries,” he added.
“We find the Labour Group’s complaint about the loss of 20 parking spaces (which have been used to facilitate the Art Park) particularly hypocritical.”
Cllr Osborn also accused Labour of double standards, citing past decisions under their leadership to close car parks and proposing high-rise developments without adequate parking provision.
“It is sad that Harrow Labour are so lacking in a coherent vision for Harrow that they choose to attack a fledgling project to support Harrow’s creative industries,” he said.
“The question for Harrow Labour now is simple: with less than a year to go before the election, we have heard endlessly about what they oppose, but we have heard nothing at all about what they would want to do for the people of Harrow.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
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