Harrow councillors have unanimously backed a motion opposing the Mayor of London’s draft London Plan, amid concerns about what it could mean for the borough’s Green Belt and future housing development.
The motion was debated at a full council meeting on Thursday, 1 October, with councillors from both sides of the chamber agreeing that Harrow’s Green Belt needed to be protected.
The council’s motion says the draft plan would increase Harrow’s housing target for the next decade by nearly 50% and would set a target of 3,150 homes on greenfield land in the borough.
‘Poisonous cocktail of badly written policy’
Moving the motion, Cllr Marilyn Ashton strongly criticised both the draft London Plan and changes to national planning policy.
She raised concerns about the use of “Broad Locations for Growth”, which identify areas around transport links where development could potentially be concentrated.
Cllr Ashton said: “This draft plan is full of contradictions and inconsistencies, and should be rejected as being unsound and not in compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework.”
She described the combination of planning policies as a “poisonous cocktail of badly written policy” which she said could potentially cause “untold damage to green belts and therefore risk permanent environmental damage.”
Cllr Ashton added: “If this isn’t challenged and rejected, we will end up with tower blocks everywhere, with no open spaces, and even the garden grabbing policy has been watered down, such that far more of our gardens will be subject to development.”
Closing her remarks, she said: “This administration will not allow our green belt to be destroyed. We will not allow it, and we will stand in the way of this the best we can. Of that you have our word.”
Concerns over more than 3,000 homes
The motion was seconded by Cllr Stephen Greek, who said Harrow’s Green Belt formed an important part of the borough’s character.
He said: “Our green belt in Harrow is very precious. It is part of Harrow’s heritage and character, and what makes Harrow a special place to live, particularly so in my own ward of Harrow Weald, along with other wards in the borough.”
Cllr Greek said the draft plan “would impose a target of over 3,000 homes on Harrow’s green belt over the next ten years”.
He also argued that development should instead be focused on brownfield sites requiring regeneration.
Cllr Greek said: “All this proposal would do is displace development away from the brownfield sites that need regeneration and onto these precious green belt sites.”
He added: “So I hope tonight we can all support this important motion to protect and secure our green belt for generations to come, because once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
The council motion says the proposed “Northwood” Broad Location for Growth stretches across parts of Harrow and Hillingdon and covers much of Hatch End, Headstone, Pinner and Pinner South, as well as part of Harrow Weald.
Labour also backs protecting Green Belt
Harrow Labour leader Cllr David Perry proposed an amendment during the debate, saying his group accepted around 95% of what had been put forward.
The amendment was ultimately defeated, before the substantive motion opposing the draft London Plan was carried.
Cllr Perry said Labour supported protecting Harrow’s Green Belt while also recognising the need for more affordable housing.
He said: “We’ve been proud to be able to say for many years, especially under my leadership, that we believe that the green belt is safe under Labour, and I still hold that view.”
Referring to Cllr Greek’s comments, he added: “Councillor Greek is correct. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Cllr Perry said Labour remained keen to push for more affordable housing and development sites, but was also prepared to work across party lines on the Green Belt issue.
He said: “Although we’re keen to push for more affordable housing and sites, keen to try to work cross-party, if that is possible, to make representations in a professional, coherent manner.”
He also supported inviting the Mayor of London to Harrow to discuss the proposals and see the areas affected.
What does the draft London Plan propose?
The London Plan sets the overall planning strategy for the capital, covering areas including housing, transport, jobs, the environment and how land should be developed.
The new draft was published in July and looks ahead over the next 20 to 25 years.
It includes proposed Broad Locations for Growth, with the plan saying development should make use of sustainable transport connections while meeting London’s need for more homes.
The proposals are still at draft stage and do not mean that 3,150 homes have been given planning permission on Harrow’s Green Belt.
The Mayor of London is currently consulting on the plan before it moves to an independent examination.
The consultation remains open until 5pm on Thursday, 15 October, with residents, councils, businesses and community organisations able to submit their views. The new London Plan is currently expected to be adopted in early 2028.
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