Whilst I welcome the decision to reject Dandara’s plan for a 19 storey high ‘skyscraper’ in Harrow town centre I am concerned by comments from Conservative councillors that a different design might be acceptable in the future, and by the continuing lack of a clear plan for residents and developers alike to consider, on the future of Harrow’s town centre and crucially, key so called ‘development’ sites within it.

Harrow residents through the Campaign for a Better Harrow Environment and local Residents Associations have led a highly effective campaign to oppose a development which would have fundamentally changed the character of the borough blocking out for example the view of one of Harrow’s key landmarks; St Mary’s Church.

The suggestion by the developers that they will ignore local opinion and head straight for the Planning Inspector to put in an appeal is disappointing to put it mildly.

Equally disappointing is the Conservative leadership of Harrow Council’s suggestion that a different design for this tower block might have made it more acceptable. This almost amounts to an open invitation to developers for further large scale projects which would be too dense and cause overdevelopment. There is no doubt that a debate needs to take place on how we can all contribute to helping the borough address its transport and housing needs, keep our town centre thriving , ensure public areas are inviting and safe and that the character of Harrow is preserved.

A clear draft town centre plan from the Council so residents, developers, community groups could contribute to such a discussion is now even more essential and Conservative councillors should instruct officers to begin work on such a document.

The absence of such a document means that developers will continue to submit plans for blocks of flats etc without clearer strategic guidance on how their proposals might fit into a vision for the future of Harrow. It also means that the infrastructure needs of such developments; new school places, access to GP care etc will not be properly thought through and consulted on.

On this occasion councillors finally got the decision right but the Council’s Conservative leadership is continuing to send the wrong message to developers through their comments that another different design might have been appropriate and by the absence of a clear plan for the future of the town Centre.