Plans to bring the fire-damaged Rising Sun in Sudbury Hill back into use have been approved, with eight new homes and commercial space set to form part of the redevelopment.
Harrow Council’s Planning Committee considered the application for the landmark building at 138 Greenford Road on Wednesday 23 September. Councillors approved the scheme subject to a Section 106 legal agreement.
The Rising Sun has remained empty and surrounded by scaffolding since a major fire ripped through the building in October 2023.
Six flats and two houses planned
Under application submitted by Adelaide Properties (Harrow) Ltd, much of the surviving exterior of the locally listed building will be retained and restored.
The plans include a 292sqm commercial unit on the ground floor, with six flats above made up of two one-bedroom and four two-bedroom properties.
Two new three-bedroom houses will also be built towards the rear of the site. Each will have its own garden, parking space and electric vehicle charging point.
The existing temporary buildings at the back of the site will be removed.
Council documents say the two surviving main facades will be repaired, while the southern facade will be reinstated. A new clay-tiled roof will also be added, along with timber gables, dormer windows and restoration of some of the building’s original features.
Planning officers said: “Proposals to repair and restore salvageable parts of this locally listed building are strongly supported.”
The Rising Sun has operated at different times over the last 150 years as a pub, restaurant and hotel. Harrow Council describes it as a locally listed, non-designated heritage asset.
Building badly damaged by 2023 fire
Harrow Online reported from the scene when ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the Rising Sun on 9 October 2023.
London Fire Brigade said the whole of the roof, most of the first floor and part of the ground floor were destroyed in the blaze. No injuries were reported.
At the time, Station Commander Gary Deacon said: “The fire was producing a large amount of smoke and those in the local area were advised to keep their windows and doors shut until smoke subsided.”
Since then, the building has remained vacant. The latest planning report describes it as a “dangerous structure” which is currently being supported by scaffolding to prevent it from collapsing.
Officers said the fire, together with previous alterations to the building, had left it in an “escalating state of disrepair”.
Objections raised over parking and privacy
The council received four objections and one other comment during consultation.
Concerns included additional pressure on parking, overlooking from balconies, loss of light and outlook, the loss of employment opportunities and possible complaints from future residents about activities at the nearby Sudbury Hill Club.
The six flats will be treated as car-free development and future residents will not normally be eligible for resident or visitor parking permits.
The two houses at the rear will each have an off-street parking space.
Planning officers concluded that the development would provide “much needed housing stock” while securing the long-term future of the historic building.
The report also states that although the Rising Sun was originally a pub, evidence showed the ground floor had primarily been operating as a restaurant with an ancillary bar since around 2012. A certificate confirming the lawful restaurant use was granted earlier this month.
Nearly £280,000 in infrastructure levy
The provisional Community Infrastructure Levy attached to the development is £202,804.25 for Harrow Council and £77,021.07 for the Greater London Authority.
Permission remains subject to completion of the Section 106 agreement, which includes the parking restrictions and a £1,638.04 contribution towards changes to the local traffic management order.
If the agreement is not completed by 6 November, or another date agreed by the Chief Planning Officer, the council has delegated authority to refuse the application.
There is currently no confirmed date for work to begin.
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