RENEWED plans for an ultra-modern faith centre in North Harrow look set to be thrown out again.

The Battlers Wells Foundation, a Muslim charity, has submitted fresh plans for rebuilding North Harrow Assembly Halls into a 21st Century community centre.

Its multi-million pound ideas include a function hall, a nursery, and luxury flats, in a new centre to replace the dilapidated community halls.

But Harrow Council officers have recommended the plans be refused, arguing the building would be too bulky for the relatively narrow site, it would lead to parking problems on nearby roads, and is too overbearing compared with neighbouring houses.

This is the second attempt by the charity to gain planning permission for the development, after an application in October last year was aborted when officers recommended refusal.

The charity leaders and council officers entered extensive deliberations to try to iron out the problems, but the designs have not been altered radically enough to appease the officers.

However, the final decision on the development will be made by councillors at a meeting of the council's planning committee next Wednesday.

The community hall plans have divided the North Harrow community, with strong feelings on both sides of the debate.

A large number of local residents have baulked at the design, claiming it is out of character for the area and inappropriate for North Harrow.

They also agreed with the officers' assessment that the centre will cause problems on the road because of its lack of in-house parking spaces.

Some have accused the charity of trying to build a Muslim centre, despite repeated assurances it will be open to people of all faiths although within certain guidelines of Islam.

A large crowd of people turned up for last year's planning committee meeting to support the application, arguing it will provide much needed community space in North Harrow and have a positive impact on the local community.