Plans for a development that will create 24 new homes were unanimously approved by Harrow Council last night (June 13), despite the fact that none of them will be affordable.

The development, on Kilby’s Industrial Estate, in Bacon Lane, Edgware, will provide ten three-bed and 14 four-bed homes, split into five terraces.

It will replace a row of industrial units and garages, as well as three residential homes in Bacon Lane.

Despite opposition from neighbours concerning an increase in noise and traffic – as well as a loss of privacy – the proposals were described as “excellent” by members of the council’s planning committee.

“I think this is a very good development, replacing these garages, some of which are derelict,” said Cllr Ghazanfar Ali.

And Cllr Stephen Greek, who admitted that he is often critical of plans that could be viewed as “overdevelopment”, said it was “great to see so many nice family homes” put forward in this application.

He added that, while the development was “a bit tighter” than he would have liked, he was satisfied that cars, particularly emergency vehicles, would have sufficient access.

But the unanimous – and relatively unchallenged – decision is perhaps surprising given that none of the homes provided will be affordable.

To compensate for this, a Section 106 was agreed upon, which means the developer is obligated to abide by certain terms if it is to proceed.

An independent report concluded that it must contribute £110,000 in place of a lack of affordable housing, as well as funds towards local employment and training initiatives.

Jack Welby, who lives in Edgware and voiced his opposition to the plans, suggested that the money could be pumped back into improvement works at the nearby Chandos Recreation Ground.

While he was clear that he views the development as “squeezing a large amount of people onto a small site”, he agreed that improving the nearby amenities would be an appropriate use of the Section 106 funding.