The Planning Committee of Harrow Council met on Wednesday 4 September 2024, discussing several planning applications and noting a report on planning appeals. Key decisions included the refusal of a change of use and extension at 91 Stanmore Hill, the unanimous grant of planning permission for a redevelopment at Garages Adjacent 8 Eaton Close, and the unanimous refusal of a conversion to a House in Multiple Occupation at 170 Pinner View. Listed Building Consent was unanimously granted for repair and maintenance works at Harrow Museum, and a planning application at 291 & 291a Northolt Road was refused. The committee also noted a consultation from Brent Council regarding Wembley National Stadium.

Planning Appeals

The committee received a report on planning appeals for Quarter One. The report detailed that 9 appeals were allowed (45%), 26 were dismissed (72%), and 1 was part allowed with notice upheld (3%). There were 5 cost applications submitted, with 4 rejected (80%), one of which was for council care costs, going against the Council's position. In summary, 26 officer-level decisions were made, 8 enforcement notices were issued, and 1 non-determination appeal was filed. No committee decisions were overturned on appeal.

91 Stanmore Hill, HA7 3DR - PL/1040/24

The committee considered a proposal for a change of use from retail to a restaurant, including a single-storey rear extension and the installation of an extract flue. The application was called in by a nominated member due to public interest. The objector, Thea Gudgeon, urged refusal, while the applicant, Mo Khan, requested approval. Councillor Marilyn Ashton proposed refusal, citing concerns about the rear extension bringing restaurant activity closer to residential amenities and the lack of provision for ventilation to manage heat and cooking smells. Councillor Zak Wagman seconded the motion. The committee voted to refuse the officer's recommendation for approval by a majority vote. Councillors Ashton, Baxter, Sumaria, and Wagman voted to refuse, while Councillors Ali, Brown, and Parekh voted against refusal.

Garages Adjacent 8 Eaton Close, HA7 3BT - P/1719/23

Planning permission was granted for the demolition and redevelopment of garages to provide three two-storey detached dwellinghouses, including landscaping, parking, and refuse and cycle storage. The decision was unanimous and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement. Conditions included parking permit restrictions, ensuring future occupiers cannot apply for residents' parking permits unless registered disabled, and a contribution of £9,000 for the provision of 12 trees along Eaton Close to compensate for the loss of a Hornbeam tree. A Section 106 monitoring fee and legal costs are also to be paid. If the Section 106 agreement is not completed by 4 November 2024, the decision will be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to refuse planning permission.

170 Pinner View, HA1 4RW - PL/0474/24

The committee unanimously refused an application for the conversion of a dwelling into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for up to 9 persons, including the retrospective conversion of a garage into habitable room, external alterations, and hardstanding. Councillor Christopher Baxter proposed refusal, arguing that the proposal represented a change of use from a family-sized dwelling to an HMO for 9 people, which would be out of character in a residential area and an over-intensive use of the site, detrimental to residential amenities. Councillor Samir Sumaria seconded the proposal. The committee voted to refuse the officer's recommendation for approval.

Harrow Museum, Headstone Lane, HA2 6PX - PL/1302/24

Listed Building Consent was unanimously granted for repair and maintenance works at Harrow Museum, including the installation of air drain/dam drainage, minor alterations to rainwater goods and lead flashings, and repair of brickwork, weatherboarding, windows, and external repointing. Councillor Christopher Baxter declared a non-pecuniary interest due to a Friends of the Museum membership but remained for the discussion and vote. Councillor Marilyn Ashton declared no interest. The works are intended to address identified issues of water ingress and decay affecting the historic fabric of the Manor House, Great Barn, Small Barn, and Granary.

291 & 291a Northolt Road, HA2 8HX - PL/0545/24

The committee unanimously refused an application for the establishment of a ground floor Use Class E and a first and second-floor self-contained 4-bed flat, including a rear dormer and stair extension, roof alterations, and external alterations, which were partly retrospective. The refusal was based on two main reasons: the retained rear roof dormer was considered an incongruous, bulky, and poor-quality feature that failed to integrate with the property and roofscape, contrary to design policies. Secondly, the proposed residential unit was deemed to offer substandard and cramped accommodation for future occupiers due to its restricted floorspace relative to the intended number of occupants, contravening housing quality standards.

Wembley National Stadium, HA9 0WS - PL/1376/24

The committee noted a report concerning a consultation from Brent Council regarding a variation of conditions for Wembley National Stadium. The proposed variation seeks to allow up to 9 additional major non-sporting events per event calendar year. The original planning permission was for a 90,000-seat stadium. The report highlighted that Harrow's highway authority had no objection, subject to conditions, but Harrow Council officers raised concerns about the potential impact on residential car parking on event days. The officers' conclusion stated that without sufficient assessment of the impacts on Harrow's transport network and no apparent resource for such an assessment or mitigation measures, they objected to raising the event day cap to 54 without necessary reports and funds to safeguard local parking.