Proposals to convert a small shopping arcade to a single shop and cafe have been given the go-ahead following a decision by the Planning Inspectorate.

Owners of Pickwick Walk, in Hatch End, were given permission to convert the ten units at the site from individual shops to one retail unit and cafe.

Plans were originally submitted last year by the Word & Krailing Pension Fund but were rejected by Harrow Borough Council's planning committee following a campaign to save the arcade.

Owners then appealed against the decision in October and the Planning Inspectorate, which investigated the case has now allowed the appeal and granted planning permission for the site.

Councillor Stanley Sheinwald, who had campaigned to save the shops from development, said: “It’s a very disappointing day for Hatch End. It’s very sad that we are going to lose all these shops and businesses.

“They are the only businesses of their kind in the village and if people want their keys cut or their hair cut at a barber’s, they have nowhere else to go.

“It’s going to destroy the village. It will make it just a night hotspot with people only coming here for the restaurants. There will be nothing for people to use in the day.

“It’s disappointing because we put so much effort in trying to save the shops.

“I wanted to save these shops not just because I am a politician but also because I use them all the time.”