A new development that will provide affordable homes right in the centre of Harrow has been welcomed by councillors and constituents.

Housing provider the Hyde Group has entered into a joint venture with Gaillard Homes to build privately rented and affordable homes on the site of a former Royal Mail sorting office in College Road, Harrow-on-the Hill.

The “eyesore” site, previously owned by Dandara, will be torn down to make room for 410 flats in three towers - one of them 19 storeys high.

If planning permission is granted by Harrow Borough Council, the£9.5m development will also incorporate shops and other commercial premises, a public square and a railway footbridge.

The Hyde Group’s group business development director David Gannicott said: “This development will provide much-needed private, rented and affordable homes as well as associated commercial and amenity space.

“We look forward to delivering this high quality and substantial development in Harrow using world-class design and construction standards.”

Councillor Bill Phillips, who represents Greenhill ward, welcomed the “exciting” new development.

He said: “It is encouraging to see a leading housing association has chosen to provide affordable homes in a very strong position in the centre of Harrow.

“I have carried out a straw poll of my residents and they are very positive about the development.”

Harrow Council’s corporate director for environment and enterprise Caroline Bruce said she too welcomed the Hyde Group’s acquisition of the “strategically important” site.

She added: “The council welcomes the opportunity to look at new options for providing a comprehensive high quality development across the wider site that delivers upon the community's expectations for the area."