Plans to demolish a former Iceland supermarket in North London to construct 63 new flats have been granted planning permission, despite significant controversy over the complete absence of affordable housing.
Development Details and Council's Disappointment
Harrow Council's Planning Committee approved the application from SRH Estates Limited at a meeting on December 17. The scheme will transform the single-storey building and car park at 368-372 Station Road, currently used as a banqueting hall, into a mixed-use development. The project features three new blocks ranging from three to nine storeys, providing 63 residential units and over 1,200 square metres of commercial space for shops, gyms, or medical services.
Council officers described the plan as a "good optimisation" of the site. However, the approval was granted with notable reluctance due to the total lack of affordable homes, either on-site or via a financial contribution. A viability assessment submitted by the developer concluded that providing affordable housing was not currently feasible.
Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, voiced the council's frustration. "We really desperately need affordable homes," she said, adding, "it's just that with the market out there you can't build them - it's impossible."
Noise Concerns and Resident Objections
The development's proximity to Trinity Bar, the borough's last remaining live music venue which holds a licence until 3am, raised specific concerns. Planning officers have mandated a full noise assessment to determine necessary mitigation measures, such as enhanced window glazing or noise-insulating walls, to protect future residents from potential disturbance.
The application also faced objections from local residents, who cited issues including:
- The "excessive height" of the nine-storey block.
- Potential strain on local infrastructure.
- Fears of increased traffic congestion.
Council officers dismissed these concerns, stating the height was "appropriate for this site" and that the car-free nature of the development meant increased car use was "not considered a factor". They also argued that 63 units would not overwhelm local transport capacity.
Future Hope for Affordable Housing
While no affordable homes are included in the current plan, the permission is subject to early and late-stage viability reviews. A council planning officer noted that a dramatic improvement in the London housing market, where sale prices rose sharply while construction costs stabilised, could theoretically make an off-site financial contribution for affordable housing possible in the future.
"That is very much a market driven stipulation rather than a planning one," the officer clarified, indicating that any change remains uncertain and dependent on economic factors.
The final development will comprise 26 one-bedroom, 31 two-bedroom, and six three-bedroom flats across the three new blocks, marking a significant change for the Greenhill area of Harrow.
