A locally listed building that once housed a ‘metro-land’ cinema will be the latest town centre site to be turned into flats.

The development, on the site of the old Herga Cinema in Wealdstone High Street, was unanimously granted planning permission after the building was deemed “no longer fit for purpose” in its current state.

It will create nine new homes – six flats in a five-storey building and three adjoining terraced houses – to contribute towards the council’s housing targets.

Planning officer Zakera Matin explained that the proposal, which is in the council’s ‘Heart of Harrow’ area, was put forward as a car-free development.

Members of the planning committee all agreed that, despite the somewhat historical value of the building, it is in clear need of an update.

This was ratified by the fact that, after sending out 57 letters to neighbouring properties, no objections to the plans were received.

It has undergone “several exterior and interior changes” and has had a number of different uses since the 1950s, most recently as office space and a place of worship.

Cllr June Baxter questioned the approach to rubbish collection, but Ms Matin noted that, after a reassessment, the bins have been moved from outside in Graham Road to a designated area that is part of the development.