Gareth Thomas at a site in The Ridgeway, where a proposed scheme has faced heavy opposition (Photo: Gareth Thomas) A Harrow MP has joined his Labour colleagues on the council in calling on the Government to rethink its proposed major planning reforms. Gareth Thomas, who represents Harrow West, argued the changes could take power away from councillors and the public and make it easier for developers to secure permission for damaging schemes. The Government’s plans, which were outlined in the Queen’s Speech last week, aim to streamline the national planning system by “cutting red tape”. If approved, it means developments in designated growth areas would be given the green light provided they meet new local design standards.
The blimp at the site of the Vaughan Road Car Park development, Halfords in Sheepcote Road, Harrow Civic Centre (Photo: WHCF/Google Maps/Newsquest) Plans for a new 129-room hotel on the site of a Harrow car park and dozens of town centre flats will be discussed by the council’s planning committee later today(Wednesday, March 17). Councillors will assess a scheme in Vaughan Road Car Park, which seeks to provide accommodation at an ‘aparthotel’ – a hotel with some ‘apartment style’ rooms catering for longer stays – alongside a new restaurant. The proposed development, which would be up to 12 storeys high, has been criticised by members of the West Harrow Community Forum (WHCF), which argued it would not be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.
Harrow Council to judge aparthotel and 149-flat development thisislocallondon.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thisislocallondon.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.