North Harrow residents rejoice over St Georges Church verdict (From Harrow Times)

North Harrow residents rejoice over St Georges Church verdict

4:30pm Tuesday 28th October 2008 in

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RESIDENTS are “overjoyed” after plans to turn a church playing field into housing were scuppered yesterday.

Hundreds of residents have been campaigning for years to stop St George's Church, in Pinner View, building 15 flats and 12 houses on a private sports ground and the plans finally looked sunk after an appeal verdict yesterday.

Marion Garner-Patel, 74, a member of Kingsfield Estate Residents' Action Group, has been campaigning against the scheme and was ecstatic when she heard about the decision.

She said: “This is fantastic news, I'm absolutely overjoyed. We've won. All I hope now is that the church will change its attitude and let that field be used by the community as it once was.”

Harrow Council originally rejected the proposals but the church challenged its decision.

Now the appeal has been dismissed many of the people living in nearby roads are hoping it will mean the end of scheme but there are concerns it could still be resurrected.

Gwyneth Phaure, 53, of Kingsfield Avenue, said: “I'm pleased but we just don't know what the church is going to do. I'm pleased that it's been rejected but it's a headache all the time.”

Some people in the Headstone community feel the Reverend Stephen Keeble, vicar at the church, has ignored local people whose support they believe he needs to maintain his congregation.

The Harrow Times has requested a response from the church and is waiting for a reply.