Campaigners opposed to plans to build on London Underground station car parks in Harrow repeated their calls for the schemes to be blocked.

Petitions were presented at a Harrow Council full council meeting yesterday (November 26) against the proposals at Stanmore and Canons Park Stations.

Transport for London (TfL) wants to build hundreds of new homes at the two sites, suggesting it will help address the demand for affordable housing in the borough.

However, many living close to the stations argue these schemes will have “irreparable” consequences.

They have criticised the scale and design of the plans, as well as the loss of parking spaces and the impact this will have on local infrastructure.

Cllr Ameet Jogia, who represents Canons ward, said: “These are concerns around these developments that will change the character of Stanmore and Canons Park forever.

“It is the single biggest issue that has brought communities together and ward councillors have been inundated with complaints.

“There’s a blame game going on – blaming the Government, blaming the Mayor [of London], blaming the council.

“But it’s very simple, it’s not complicated, it’s not rocket science – we just need to listen to residents, who have genuine concerns.”

TfL seeks to provide 277 new homes in Stanmore across seven blocks – the tallest of which is 11 storeys – which will result in the loss of 32 per cent of parking spaces.

In nearby Canons Park, 100 spaces will be cut as part of plans to build 118 homes in three seven-storey buildings.

Neil Sint, who presented a petition with 2,400 signatures against the Stanmore development, said the introduction of an 11-strorey tower would “damage” the skyline.

And he pointed out that bringing in hundreds of new residents, while cutting parking provision “when more is needed”, would inevitably lead to increased traffic and pollution in the area.

Shirley Sackwild, from Canons Park Residents’ Association, highlighted similar concerns for her neighbourhood.

She described the proposed buildings as “bulky, over-intensive and totally out of character with a suburban area”.

She added the infrastructural problems that would arise would be compounded by the scheme in Stanmore.

Residents in Canons Park have also criticised the fact that the development would block one of Harrow’s few remaining views of a Grade II listed 18th century landscape as seen from the park that gives the area its name.

Jonathan Cornelius, head of property development at TfL, said the schemes would provide “much needed affordable homes” alongside “sustainable links into central London”.

He said they would encourage active travel – aided by the introduction of new cycle parking spaces – while Stanmore will benefit from “improved step-free access”.

“We’ve engaged extensively with the public over the last year on our plans,” he said.

“These proposals are part of our wider plans for Harrow, which will see more than 500 much-needed affordable homes built in north- west London.”

Cllr Graham Henson, leader of Harrow Council, in responding to the petitions, noted that the applications would be a matter for the council’s planning committee to judge.