Public meeting to discuss future of Anmer Lodge, Stanmore (From Harrow Times)

Public meeting to discuss future of Anmer Lodge, Stanmore

3:10pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News By Anna Slater

A public meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss concerns over a site in Stanmore, after a Conservative councillor feared a supermarket would be built there.

The meeting, which will be held at 8pm, in Stanmore Library, in Stanmore Hill, will discuss the development of Anmer Lodge, Coverdale Close, and the adjacent car park, which is being marketed by the council.

Conservative Councillor Marilyn Ashton, who represents Stanmore Park ward, is concerned that a supermarket will be built there because neighbouring Stanmore library, in Burnell House, was sold to Tesco in 2007. She said this would “ruin” Stanmore.

She said: “We want to make sure that whatever happens to the site is right for Stanmore. I’m extremely upset about this, and if a supermarket is built there the council have failed in their duty to properly protect the site.”

But a statement from the Harrow council said that any proposals for a large scale food store would likely be "discounted".

“The council is in the process of marketing the site in Stanmore, comprising Anmer Lodge and the adjacent car park, to help developers with the objective of enhancing the district centre and improving the retail offer.

“Any proposal for a large scale food store would almost certainly be discounted by the council due to problems it would create, such as parking. The project is about securing the future vitality of Stanmore.

"It is too early to say what kind of development there will be but any future proposals would be subject to full consultation with the community.”