More than 100 families will be able to make use of a vital homeless shelter after Harrow Council agreed to redevelop it.

Its cabinet approved plans to increase the number of spaces available at Vernon Lodge Homeless Shelter to help support the borough’s most vulnerable people.

It means that an extra 107 families can be accommodated, while the overall site is set to be improved.

Councillors working on the scheme said they were pleased that it had reached a solution, which would benefit those currently making use of Vernon Lodge as well as those who might need it in the future.

They noted that no-one would need to be decanted to nearby Atkins House – one of the primary concerns – as it is possible to conduct the redevelopment in phases.

Cllr Adam Swersky, responsible for finance at Harrow Council, said: “We’ve consulted with residents and had some interesting conversations, but now I think we’ve got to a good place.”

And council leader Cllr Graham Henson said the decision would support this administration’s approach to housing in the borough.

He said: “I’d like to thank the whole council for their work on this – we’re not just patching it up.

“And if we improve the homelessness situation in Harrow, it will create more room for housing.”

There will be different types of accommodation at the site, which means some units will be available for rent, should the homelessness demand decrease.

And Atkins House will be converted into flats, which will be sold or rented out.

The shelter will undergo roof repairs worth £725,000, while £11 million has been allocated for the whole project.

Cllr Phillip O’Dell gave assurance that, while there is currently no specific clause relating to unsafe cladding at the site, any potential redeveloper will have to abide by the relevant safety procedures.

And the report noted that £123,000 has been spent on structural improvements at Vernon Lodge since 2016, including the introduction of new fire protection measures.