A developer has been given an extra two months to defend contentious plans for a large banqueting hall, despite strong objections from opposition councillors. 

Conservative members of Harrow’s planning committee said it was a “disgrace” the proposals for Stanmore and Edgware Golf Course were deferred for a second time. 

The group’s spokesman on planning, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, said it was “completely unacceptable” to give the applicant more time to convince officers not to refuse the scheme. 

Developer Sairam Holdings Ltd wants to build a new banqueting hall for at least 500 guests on the golf course as its current site in Wealdstone is set to make way for the new Harrow Civic Centre. 

It has been met with strong opposition from those living near to the golf course – at least 600 objections have been submitted to the council – who argue it would have a detrimental impact on the area.

Planning officers recommended the proposals be rejected at a council meeting in June.

However, councillors voted to defer making a decision on the recommendations until September and the hearing  has now been postponed further until at least November. 

Cllr Ashton said: “This application has been on our books for the best part of a year. We were very generous and fair-minded to give the applicant more time. 

“We are not a negotiating panel, we are a planning committee. It’s a disgrace if we defer this any further.”

She added the council was “cutting the applicant more slack than usual” and said it was “very strange behaviour” to do so without a proper explanation. 

Council officers said the developer had been responsive to its queries and it would be “reasonable” to give it more time to provide the necessary information to support the application. 

But local councillor Philip Benjamin, who was due to speak on the application, said granting the extension could set a “worrying precedent”. 

He added he would wait until the matter is discussed fully before submitting his views on the proposals.