Harrow Council has officially adopted the Harrow Local Plan 2021-2041, a comprehensive document outlining planning policies for the borough. The plan was approved by a vote of 26 in favour, with 17 abstentions, during an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning & Regeneration, moved the recommendation, emphasizing the plan's necessity to replace an over-a-decade-old local plan that had become obsolete. She highlighted the plan's recent success in planning appeals, with an nearly 85% success rate in dismissing appeals in the final months of the previous year, demonstrating its effectiveness.
However, the adoption was not without debate. Councillor David Perry, Leader of the Labour Group, raised concerns about the potential closure of Harraburra Football Club and the Tanglewood site, a community facility for people with disabilities. Councillor Perry noted that Harraburra Football Club, a 94-year-old institution, was reportedly facing closure within six weeks due to potential development, and questioned the steps taken by the Council to prevent this. Councillor Ashton responded that the current meeting was solely for the adoption of the local plan and that its content could not be amended, suggesting such concerns could be addressed offline.
Councillor Nitin Parekh expressed satisfaction with an inspector's increase in the family-sized housing requirement to 35% but questioned the administration's initial opposition to this. He also voiced doubts about the achievability of the 50% affordable housing target and the overall housing target of 802 units per year. Councillor Parekh noted that the inspector removed allocations for 500 homes at RHN and 50 homes at the former guest holder site on Marsh Lane. He also mentioned increased housing allocations for car parks at Stanmore Station (from 171 to 183 units), Cannon's Park Station (from 17 to 26 units), and Reynolds Lane car park (from 50 to 69 units). Additionally, the Tesco Superstore site has a target of 500 housing units. Councillor Parekh concluded by stating he had no confidence in achieving the current target, let alone the significantly higher targets expected under the new London Plan, which he estimated could be over 2,000 units.
Councillor Graham Henson raised concerns about the inspector's late notice of changes, with the notice being issued just over 12 days prior to the meeting and the printed version not being widely available. He pointed out the removal of designated areas of special character and changes to the intensification zone, as well as an increase in small sites allocation, particularly in high-traffic areas. Councillor Henson also expressed disappointment that the plan lacked a stronger policy on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and that the tall building strategy had been deleted outside of specific opportunity areas, potentially increasing pressure on other areas.
Councillor Stephen Greek spoke in support of the plan, describing it as a fantastic piece of work
that protects Harrow's character while meeting housing targets, specifically mentioning the protection of the green belt, suburban areas, and the provision for family homes.
Councillor David Perry expressed being torn
with the plan, acknowledging the potential for significantly higher housing targets under the new London Plan and concerns from residents in areas like Marlborough. He noted concerns from residents in Marlborough, an opportunity area that has already seen significant development, particularly regarding the scale of development, including 20-storey buildings. Councillor Perry also raised issues regarding the consultation process, stating that for many development sites, consultation with immediate neighbours and adjacent properties had been lacking, despite the administration's claims of sufficiency and legality. He expressed disappointment that residents who would be particularly impacted by future developments had not been adequately consulted, concluding that the plan had put residents last.
Councillor Paul Osborn asserted that an independent inspector had deemed the plan's targets achievable and the consultation process sound, emphasizing that the Council was constrained by the London Plan and national policy. He praised the plan for protecting Harrow's character for a generation.
In her summing up, Councillor Ashton reiterated that the document could not be amended and must be adopted in its entirety, stressing its importance in defending against appeals. The recommendation to adopt the Harrow Local Plan 2021-2041 was carried, with the meeting also noting the retirement of Jean Lammiman after 32 years of service.
Further details regarding the council meeting can be found in the Public reports pack.
