Plans to create new flats and HMOs above the TG Jones store in Pinner have been refused by Harrow Council.
The application, posted on the Harrow Council planning portal, was for 11 Bridge Street, at the junction with Chapel Lane in Pinner. Although the planning documents still refer to the shop as WH Smith, the branch now trades as TG Jones.
The proposals would have altered and extended the first and second floors of the building to provide four flats – two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom properties – alongside three HMOs. Two of the HMOs would have accommodated four people each, with the third designed for five people.
Harrow Council refused planning permission on August 18, citing concerns over the standard of accommodation, the proposed housing mix and crime prevention.
Council raises concerns over living conditions
Planning officers said the proposed homes would have no private amenity space, while a number of bedrooms would have inadequate outlook and light levels.
The council concluded this would result in a “poor quality of living accommodation” for future residents. It also said the combination of one and two-bedroom flats and HMO accommodation did not provide an appropriate mix of homes to meet the borough’s housing needs.
Officers said the layout would “encourage anti-social behaviour” and result in poor crime prevention because of the number of hidden areas accessible from the street.
Metropolitan Police raised concerns over plans
The Metropolitan Police had also raised concerns during the planning process.
In comments submitted to Harrow Council, police said their research showed crime occurring in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development, including violent crime, burglary and vehicle crime.
Police described the proposed ground-floor layout as “very poor for crime prevention”, saying it created a number of hidden areas accessible from the street.
Further concerns were raised about security arrangements for the HMOs, cycle and refuse storage, access controls, privacy and whether an existing old freight lift would be suitable and safe for residents. The police submission said the safety and security of future HMO occupants should be a “paramount concern”.
The Harrow Conservation Areas Advisory Committee also considered the application in July.
Pinner store changed from WH Smith to TG Jones
The Bridge Street shop was previously a WHSmith but changed to TG Jones following the sale of WH Smith’s UK high street business to Modella Capital.
Harrow Online reported in July 2025 that both the Pinner branch and the store at St Anns Shopping Centre in Harrow Town Centre had switched to the TG Jones name.
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