Join the debate on the future of the Heart of Harrow

Harrow Council is consulting on regeneration options for Harrow Town Centre, Wealdstone and Station Road, an area called the Heart of Harrow. They aim to transform the borough's commercial and entertainment centre, attracting new investment and businesses to create 3,000 extra jobs and build 2,500 new homes over the next 15 years.  

The new jobs and homes will help the borough meet targets set by the Mayor of London in the London Plan.  

More importantly, residents, businesses and developers are invited to work with the Council to shape a vibrant new identity for the Heart of Harrow. Their views will feed into an action plan that creates a vision for the area in the years ahead as well as managing growth and development. 

A series of drop-in sessions kicked off this week where residents can come and speak to planning officers about the proposals and give their views. This initial phase of consultation runs until 24th June but the debate will continue into the summer and beyond, when residents, businesses and community groups will have plenty of opportunity to get involved. 

See below for the views of local businesses, community groups and developers. 

Cllr Keith Ferry, portfolio holder for planning and economic development on Harrow Council, said: 

"For people who live, work or go to school in the Heart of Harrow this is a really important chance to get involved in revitalising the area. 

"At the drop-in sessions you can find out more about what is proposed and make sure you get your opinions heard on how the borough's economic centre should be developed. 

"The masterplan we are creating will set out our ambition for how the area is developed over the next 15 years and be a tool for attracting new investment, improving the shopping and entertainment offer and creating new homes, jobs and social facilities.  

"We want to hear to what local people have to say and work with them to shape the Heart of Harrow in future." 

The drop in sessions take place at:

• Stanmore Hill outside Sainsbury's - 3rd June 11am - 4pm
• Pinner High Street -  6th June 11am- 4pm
• Rayners Lane , next to station -  7th June 3pm  - 7pm
• Civic Centre Reception-  8th June, 9am - 4pm
• Harrow town centre, St Ann 's Mall - 9th June 2pm - 7pm
• South Harrow , next to Station - 10th June 3pm - 7pm
• Burnt Oak Broadway - 13th June 10am - 3pm
• Belmont Circle - 14th June 10am - 3pm
• Harrow town centre, College Road (by the station entrance) - 17th June 11am - 4pm

You can also find out more about the long-term plans at the Under One Sky Festival on 26th June although this is two days after the close of consultation.

To see the detailed plans and full list of the drop-in sessions visit www.harrow.gov.uk/heartofharrow

Having their say 

David Summers chaired the Community Engagement Forum which invited Harrow 's Community Groups to take part in developing the four options. He said:  

"The Heart of Harrow masterplan is essential to reverse the decline of Harrow Town Centre and Wealdstone. Doing nothing is not a viable option.  

"This is a unique opportunity to positively influence the shape of the Heart of Harrow for current and most importantly future generations of Harrovians, and make Harrow attractive for employers and visitors. I urge everyone to please get involved."  

Bobby Shah (photo available), owner of Passion Lounge Bar and Restaurant on Station Road , said:  

"Any help to encourage new business and investment in Harrow is welcome. We are seeing a decline in trade in this area and while we don't know what will happen in Harrow in the next 10 to 15 years, it will get worse if nothing is done.  

"I'm passionate about Harrow and want it to succeed. There is a lot of potential here but it is important that new development and new homes is about quality and not just quantity."  

Jane Galbraith, from Campaign for a Better Harrow Environment, said:  

"The plan is important for Harrow because it will change the environment for those living in, working in and visiting central Harrow . If it works well, it should improve the public realm and provide more employment. If it is not managed carefully it will result in inappropriate high density, high rise developments and increased congestion. 

"Our concerns include risking the commercial regeneration of Harrow by too intensive residential development, and too little emphasis on the need for improved transport infrastructure, for both Underground and road services.

"It is vital that those who will be affected by the proposed area plan respond to the consultation, both to encourage the Council to have good policies and to give it support in opposing unsuitable proposals from large developers." 

Stephen Neal, is the Development Director at Land Securities, developer of the Kodak site in Wealdstone. He said:  

"Harrow Council's plan will serve as a framework within which we can shape the plans for the Kodak site.  Our proposals for a mixed-use development on the Kodak site are evolving in parallel with the Plan and we are working closely with the council to develop an exciting and viable vision for the future.  

"We very much hope the local community will get involved in both the current Area Action Plan consultation and also the upcoming next stage of Land Securities' Kodak site consultation, which will take place from the end of June."