Plans for a huge banqueting hall on the site of an old golf course that received hundreds of objections from concerned locals could still go ahead. 

Harrow Council confirmed that an appeal has been lodged for a venue for over 500 guests at the former Stanmore and Edgware Golf Centre. 

The scheme was unanimously rejected by council planning bosses last year after strong opposition from those living in the area.

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They said it would have a damaging effect on their neighbourhood, with poor parking measures likely to see cars clog up nearby roads. 

Residents added the proposed park and ride scheme, which developers said would alleviate parking issues, would not work as there wasn’t enough space for coaches. They were also concerned about the potential for late night noise when events were held at the hall, and said the golf centre should be replaced with another sports venue to support the local community. 

A letter to the council signed by a local residents’ group said: “Our residents are united in supporting ‘appropriate’ change to any site in our locality provided such a change does not have a detrimental impact on the residents’ amenities and lead to an irreversible damage to our community and the area.”

It added the position of the site, which is near Stanmore Country Park and Pear Wood, could harm local wildlife and plants. Developer Sairam Holdings Limited hoped to build on the former golf course after it was told its old site in Wealdstone was going to make way for a new town hall. 

Whether this will still be the case is unclear, as new Harrow Council leader Cllr Paul Osborn said plans for a new civic centre in Wealdstone would be put on hold. At the initial council meeting, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, who has since become chairman of the planning committee, said it was a “seriously flawed application”. 

The new Conservative administration said it intends to tighten up planning policies in suburban areas to prevent excessively tall and bulky buildings from being built. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted Sairam Holdings for comment on the appeal.