The council’s old headquarters in Station Road, and a former driving school that has been empty for more than 20 years are two of the sites chosen for redevelopment.
Harrow Council’s cabinet approved the development of council-owned land on January 24 alongside property developer Wates.
Once complete, 1,249 new homes will be delivered across both sites alongside green and public spaces.
The former Civic Centre location, set to be named Poets Corner, will comprise 1,100 homes – 15 per cent of which are earmarked as affordable – built across three phases.
The first phase will deliver 532 ‘build to rent’ properties, 6% of which will be affordable. When complete, Poets Corner will also have a large public square, a new park, and 14,000sq ft of commercial space.
The old driving school, to be named Byron Quarter, will provide 149 new homes – 27 per cent of which are affordable. Following discussions with residents, the height of low-rise housing will be reduced and the number of family homes will be increased by 61.
The third site is the second phase of the redevelopment of Grange Farm, Harrow’s largest social housing estate; 89 homes were built last year as part of phase 1. The new proposals are set to come before the planning committee within the next 12 months.
All three projects will go out for public consultation later this year.
The council claims the projects will contribute to an ‘era of growth and development’ and help foster a ‘vibrant and inclusive’ community in the borough. Cabinet member for planning and regeneration, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, called the plans “ambitious”.
She said: “We have faced challenges to make these plans financially secure whilst reducing height and density where possible. We will keep tall buildings only where they already exist. As we bring forward the plans for each of the sites we will engage with our residents. I am confident that local people will see that we have listened to their feedback.”
Harrow’s regeneration plans have been disrupted by the global spike in inflation and regulatory building safety changes. The council claims its programme is ‘back on track’ and it is ‘looking forward to the next stage of the development’.
Harrow Council leader Cllr Paul Osborn said: “We want Harrow to be a place where people are happy to start their families and businesses and feel pride in where they live. These regeneration plans will deliver attractive, high-quality homes. They will make a difference to communities, businesses, residents and families both now and in the future.”
Wates Residential regional managing director Nick Williams said: “We’re delighted that London Borough of Harrow has adopted the updated Business Plans, demonstrating the strength of our partnership approach to housing delivery. In response to industry challenges these updated proposals will provide for safer and more sustainable homes and places.”
He added: “We’re excited to develop these proposals in consultation with the local community, with the first of the new homes anticipated to be starting on site next year.”