Plans for a new 129-room hotel on the site of a former car park were resoundingly rejected by councillors on the basis it would “dominate” the area’s skyline.

Harrow Council’s planning committee refused permission yesterday evening (Wednesday, March 17) for the development in Vaughan Road Car Park, West Harrow.

Developer Dandi Living sought to provide a new ‘aparthotel’ – a hotel complex with some rooms catering for longer stays – alongside a restaurant and other commercial facilities in a building up to 12 storeys.

However, the committee unanimously agreed with council planning officers’ recommendation that it be refused on grounds it would be wholly “inappropriate” for this location.

Officers suggested the proposed development would be too tall and too bulky as they described it as “overbearing” and “dominating”.

They added it would be “such a departure from the [local] context” and pointed out it would have a detrimental impact on the nearby Harrow-on-the-Hill conservation area and St Mary’s Church.

All three West Harrow ward councillors spoke against the plans, suggesting it was in no way what their constituents wanted.

Cllr Kareema Marikar (Lab) said she was “disappointed” to see an application of this type put forward by the developer, while Cllr Christine Robson (Lab) said it was “such a long way” from what would be appropriate at this site.

And Cllr Adam Swersky (Lab) noted the scheme would not provide any additional housing to the area, while it would be totally at odds with the “low-lying” character of the neighbourhood.

Planning officers acknowledged the developer had carried out an acceptable assessment of whether other sites in Harrow would be available for the project and that none had been deemed “suitable”.

They added a hotel would work at Vaughan Road Car Park, but not in this mould, where the height and scale would be too great.

Dandi Living did not make any representations at the committee meeting in an attempt to defend the proposals.

Its founder, Ali Ravanshad, has previously said he wants to “put Harrow on the map” and would be committed to a scheme that will “make a difference” in the area.