Two previously derelict 1960s office blocks in central Harrow are being turned into "vital new housing".

The new development, Lyon Square, will consist of 310 one, two and three-bed flats - 59 of which will be affordable housing.

Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas, who was given a tour of the site in Lyon Road last week, said: “Over the last few years I have seen a huge increase in the number of families coming to my advice surgery struggling to find suitable housing.

"Many of them now find themselves priced out of the area they grew up in, so it was good to see vital new housing units being built in Harrow.”

The office buildings known as Lyon House and Equitable House were derelict for a number of years when developer Redrow London acquired the site in 2013.

The site was previously owned by Redefine International, which obtained planning permission in 2012 for a redevelopment that would provide new residential units, office space and a mixture of other uses at ground floor level. The site remained vacant, however, and work did not begin.

Tina Dedman, divisional sales and marketing director for Redrow London, said: "The site at Lyon Road, offers a rare opportunity to deliver new homes on an underutilised brown belt site in a sustainable location within walking distance of Harrow Town Centre and Harrow on the Hill underground and rail station. The site’s redevelopment will support existing regeneration activities in the town centre and will make a valuable contribution towards meeting housing needs in the area."

Once completed, in addition to the new homes, the development will include office space and commercial units.

The site visit last week was organised by NHBC, a warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK, to highlight its risk management processes and to show the MP an example of new and affordable homes being built on a former disused site.