THE future of a 57 acre site in Wealdstone is first on the agenda for the new council committee, with councillors and land owners preparing to sit round the table and discuss plans.

Developer Land Securities and Harrow Council have this week signed an accord to discuss the future of the Kodak Site with a view to agreeing a “viable plan” for its development.

The land, formerly the site of parts of the Kodak factory, has stood empty for years, and has been the subject of reams of speculation as to what may be built there.

Land Securities signaled in January 2008 that it was preparing plans for the site, off Headstone Drive, but the recession appeared to put those plans on hold until now.

The accord is the first step towards a consultation towards the end of this year with residents to discover what local priorities are for the land.

Councillor Bill Stephenson, leader of the council, said: “This is great news and a clear statement of intent from the council and the developer to get on with delivering a regeneration project that benefits the whole of Harrow.

“The Kodak site has a key role to play in the redevelopment of the heart of our borough, delivering much needed jobs and facilities for the whole community.”

Councillor Susan Hall, leader of the Tory opposition on the council, set out at the first meeting of the Major Developments Panel an idea that has been kicking around the council for the last two years, for a new town hall, leisure centre, a central police station, and an innovative recycling plant known as a gasification plant.

She said: “Gasification is an absolutely inspirational idea, it would remove vast amounts of money paid in landfill, and there are so many pluses to it.

“This is something that could leave a massive legacy for us as councillors.”

Cllr Hall added the plans had been welcomed by Land Securities, deputy mayor for planning Sir Simon Milton, and James Cleverly, London assembly member for Lewisham, but had stalled when passed to council officers.

The major Developments Panel is next due to convene in September when Land Securities is expected to outline some of the ideas being considered for the Kodak Site.