Harrow Council has approved the demolition of Grange Farm Phase 2a, following an urgent decision meeting convened after a procedural error in the contract awarding process. The demolition work, which began on April 14, 2025, is scheduled to last for 24 weeks, concluding around September 26, 2025. The council is in the process of procuring the construction of new homes on the site, authorized by a separate report approved on February 20, 2025. Phase 2a will support delivery of the Flagship action to deliver more than 50 affordable homes built on council sites and to commence work for Phase 2 of the Grange Farm development.
Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning & Regeneration, authorised the award of the demolition contract to R Collard, the preferred bidder, on Thursday 17 July 2025. The decision was made to ensure compliance with the council's contract procedure rules and financial regulations, and to avoid delays to the project. Consideration was given to adding the item to the next Cabinet meeting on July 24th, but this was rejected as a less expedient route due to the pressing need to finalize and award the contract.
The issue arose because, while a Cabinet Report Dated 24 January 2024 authorised a five-year Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital programme including an investment of up to £69,738,538 in housing infrastructure at Grange Farm, and a further cabinet report on 20 February 2025 related to procuring the construction of new homes on the site, the cabinet had not specifically delegated the authority to officers to award the demolition contract itself. The council had initially believed the January 2024 report provided sufficient authority, but this advice was later revised.
The council faced a pressing need to finalise the contract as the contractor had already mobilised on 14 April 2025 and incurred costs. Delaying the decision risked the contractor demobilising and halting the works due to lack of payment and a formal contract. These costs are covered within the HRA budget.
The Grange Farm Phase 2(A) project has an approved capital budget of £15.3 million, including £5.6 million carried forward from the 2024/25 financial year. Funding comes from a GLA Right to Buy (RTB) ring-fenced grant of £4.954 million and council borrowing.
The council says the demolition supports its priorities, including putting residents first, ensuring a clean and safe borough, and supporting those in need. The regenerated estate will provide new homes in a much-enhanced public realm, developed to meet the highest 'Secure By Design' principles. The regenerated estate will provide new homes in an enhanced public realm, designed to meet high standards of safety and security.
The procurement process was conducted as an open tender under the Public Contract Regulations 2015, with the preferred bidder demonstrating the Most Economically Advantageous Tender. The Procurement lead confirmed the process complied with regulations and the council's contract procedure rules.
As detailed in the Public reports pack for the meeting, risks associated with the project, such as potential cost increases and programme delays, are being mitigated through financial assessments, strict monitoring controls, and detailed pre-commencement surveys. The preferred contractor is taking steps to move towards net zero through initiatives including: use of low/zero carbon vehicles; local recruitment; local suppliers and sub-contractors; recycling 98% of materials with 2% to landfill; and vehicle mileage monitoring.
