A PLANNING application for an extension to a major superstore has been deferred after a councillor pushed for a site visit at a meeting last night.

Councillor Joyce Nickolay (Conservative, Rayners Lane), on Harrow Council’s Planning Committee urged councillors for the visit for the application to expand Tesco, in Station Road.

The application includes a two-storey extension to the front, side and back of the store and 66 additional parking spaces, bringing the total spaces up to 452.

The parking spaces would be provided over two levels, with 220 spaces at ground level and 232 on a proposed first floor parking deck.

A new four storey building to provide additional retail space is also part of the plan, where there would also be 14 affordable housing flats, including three one-bed, eight two-bed and three three-bed flats.

Cllr Nickolay said: “I was totally astonished that we hadn’t decided to have a site visit for a major application like this.

“There is quite a lot of detail to the application and a walk around would tie up any problems that are there."

Objections for the site have come from Roxborough Road Residents Association who believe the development would have an “adverse impact on the local independent traders in the town.”

Objections have also been raised from members of the public in Hindes Road and Hamilton Road.

Cllr Nickolay said: “I’m sorry for the 30 or so people that had to come out in the cold for the meeting last night.

"I’m glad we will get to do this next month as it is important to look at the effects of the applications on the surrounding roads including Hamilton Road.”

Planning Committee vice chairman, Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar (Labour, Roxeth), said the committee were "happy" to have the site visit.

He added: “The councillors had already attended an exhibition on this application and were familiar with the site but we will go ahead and have the visit next month.

“After Councillor Nickolay raised the point we decided it would only be fair to have the site visit for a more informed decision.

“It’s a shame for the members of the public who attended the meeting to wait but we’ll be doing the visit on January 14 so hopefully there will be a result after that at the next planning meeting.”

The application will be discussed at the next meeting on Wednesday, January 18.

Were you at the meeting last night? What do you think of the plans? Leave your comments below or email ssharma@london.newsquest.co.uk