Harrow Borough Council has been given more than £30million to help build more than 1,500 homes and two primary schools.

The Great London Authority (GLA) has awarded £31.3m to fund 1,679 new homes, two town squares, primary schools and improved sporting facilities as the community is set to be transformed.

The GLA said it was impressed by the strength of the bid and that several of the sites are ready to be developed.

The authority was also pleased with the £1.75billion ‘Heart of Harrow’ plans for regenerating Harrow by building more than 5,500 new homes. 

Councillor Keith Ferry, who is responsible for business, planning and regeneration, said: “Receiving this funding is great news for the people of Harrow and this will allow us to kick start our ambitious regeneration plans. In the next decade we will be building 5,500 much needed homes, which will go some way to addressing the chronic housing shortage in our borough.

“This level of investment from GLA is a testament to the strength of our bid and recognition of our development plans for the borough.  Over the coming months we will be speaking to residents about these plans to ensure they are given a say on the future of Harrow.”

Harrow Council will be working closely with the local community and developers, who are also investing money into the project, in the coming months on the proposals.

In addition to transforming Harrow, the funding will also create more than 500 new jobs in the area. 

The last time Harrow had any significant development on this scale was in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.