The Harrow Council Planning Committee met on 19 November 2025 and unanimously approved plans for the Harrow Arts Centre and Park High School, and also approved, subject to a legal agreement, plans for Station Road. Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning & Regeneration, declared a non-pecuniary interest regarding Park High School, as she is on the board that meets annually. Councillor Simon Brown declared a non-pecuniary interest as an occasional user of the Harrow Arts Centre.

Planning Applications

The committee considered three planning applications, all of which were recommended for approval.

41-43 Station Road

The committee approved the creation of an additional storey at 41-43 Station Road, Harrow, to provide five self-contained flats. The existing two-storey flat will be converted into one self-contained flat. The development also includes a new front entrance, a new brick finish to the front facade, new windows, external alterations, and bin/cycle storage.

The committee granted planning permission subject to a legal agreement and the tabled addendum. The legal agreement includes a parking permit restriction, legal fees, and a legal agreement monitoring fee of £575. The development will be resident permit restricted under section 16 of the GLC (Gen Powers) Act 1974¹, ensuring that future occupants (excluding those with disabilities) cannot apply for parking permits. A financial contribution of £1567.50 is required to amend the Traffic Management Order.

Councillor Nitin Parekh asked about waste collection and storage for the 15 flats. The planning officer, Katie Parkins, confirmed that the developer submitted a waste management plan, and a refuse store would be created to the rear of the building, accessible from the service road. The development requires an additional two 240-litre bins, bringing the total to nine. The waste management officers raised no objection to the proposal.

Councillor Ashton noted the objections to the development, particularly those in the addendum, but did not believe they raised planning considerations. She said:

I don't want anyone that did take the trouble to write in, to object, to think that we not read them, or not taking note of them, because we always do on this committee. And I certainly have. But I honestly don't think this is going to cause a problem. And I think it will look a lot nicer. And it does provide, you know, five additional units.

Park High School

The committee approved the demolition and replacement of a teaching block at Park High School. The existing building is unusable due to subsidence². The proposed development is a two-storey building with a brick finish at ground floor level and timber cladding at first floor level.

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and the tabled addendum.

Councillor Ghazanfar Ali asked about the location of the stairs and whether there would be level access. The planning officer confirmed that the new building would have level access, with no external stairs. Councillor Ashton said she thought the design was really nice and attractive, unusually so for this type of building actually .

Harrow Arts Centre

The committee approved the replacement of two existing modular portacabins, named Weald and Grimsdyke, with two new modular portacabins at Harrow Arts Centre. The existing portacabins are past their usable date and unsafe for public use. The proposed portacabins will have level access and meet the required DDA³ access requirements.

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and the tabled addendum.

Councillor Ali asked about the lifespan of the portacabins. A planning officer responded that the lifespan is in excess of ten years, possibly twenty to thirty years. The officer added that the existing portacabins are made of plywood and are in poor condition, and that during the examination in public, the Grimsdyke portacabin was extremely hot and uncomfortable .