Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that Councillor Philip Benjamin declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a member of the Working Group of the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership scheme before it was developed.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration.

The Committee received the New Harrow Local Plan – Consultation Outcomes and Submission Report, which set out the outcomes of the latest consultation on the draft New Harrow Local Plan 2021-2041, and the subsequent submission of the draft Plan on 26 February 2025 to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for examination.

The Chair welcomed the Leader, Deputy Leader (Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration), the Managing Director, the Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration, as well as officers, to the meeting.

In the discussion that ensued, Members asked questions and made comments to which responses were given.

Citing pages 12 and 13 of the agenda pack, Members queried whether the Plan, which had been prepared under the provisions of the 2023 version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), would be implemented under the 2024 NPPF version, and whether this would require a supplemental Local Plan. It was advised that the Local Plan would be adopted under the former but implemented under the latter.  This would not require a supplemental Local Plan.

Members expressed their disquiet and concern that it was immaterial to the democratic process, as the consultation was finalised in December 2024, and the Local Plan subsequently submitted, to then bring it to the Committee for scrutiny at this meeting.  It was advised that that the end of the consultation did not mean the end of the Plan’s process.  Furthermore, not many changes had been made from the draft New Harrow Local Plan – Proposed version for pre-submission (“Regulation 19 stage consultation”) Consultation Report that was referred to the Committee in October 2024 to the one that had been submitted in December 2024.  Formal approval to undertake the second round of consultation had been sought from Cabinet on 15 October 2024 and full Council on 23 October 2024.

Members asked if other local authorities had Local Plans, and whether Harrow was also taking into account advice from the King’s Counsel (KC) on the Plan.  It was advised that Harrow was looking at what how other boroughs were developing their Plans, and also took advice from the KC into consideration.

Citing page 20 of the agenda pack on managing risks of planning applications going to appeal if found to be non-compliant by the Independent Planning Inspector, Members were advised that that particular risk was moderate as the Plan had specifically targeted the tests of soundness on the NPPF and with on-going King’s Counsel input and support, the Mayor of London had considered that Harrow’s draft Plan was in general conformity with the London Plan.

The Chair thanked the Leader, Deputy Leader (Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration), the Managing Director, the Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration, and officers, for their attendance and responses to questions.

RESOLVED:  That the New Harrow Local Plan – Consultation Outcomes and Submission Report be noted, and the Committee’s comments be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration.

The Committee received the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP) - Updated Overarching Business Plan, Phase Business Plans for Poets Corner (All phases) and Byron Quarter Phase 1 Report, which would be considered by Cabinet on 13 March 2025.

The report provided an update on the progress of the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP) following approval of its Business Plans in January 2024.  Cabinet would be asked to approve the adoption of an updated Overarching Business Plan and phase business plans for Poets Corner (Phase 1) and Byron Quarter (Phase 1), which would form the refreshed programme of work for the sites.

The Chair welcomed the Leader, Deputy Leader (Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration), the Managing Director, the Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration, as well as officers, to the meeting.

In the discussion that ensued, Members asked questions and made comments to which responses were given.

Members asked if an increase in building costs would negatively impact on the viability of the schemes and business plans.  They were advised that the partnership with Wates meant that the Council had limited its exposure to some variations, and that the contractual agreement would be revised on a yearly basis as well as in the case of significant variations.  However, it was outlined that should costs increase, there would be various mitigations that would, and could, be explored to maintain viability.

Members queried if a contractor had been identified for the build-to-rent project on Poets Corner (Phase 1), and were advised that none had been identified at the moment.

Members asked if the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) would be used to acquire some properties and were advised that that was being proposed for properties at Byron Quarter and phase 1 of Poets.  Further queries were made about whether the HRA could acquire additional blocks at Poets Corner due to the possible increase in Right-to-Buy receipts.  It was advised that the Council was seeking to prioritise delivery of additional genuinely affordable social homes at Grange Farm.  However, if the HRA did have capacity to acquire additional homes on HSDP sites, this would be considered.

Members were concerned about the relationship with Wates, and cited table 13, on page 64 of the supplemental agenda pack, on social value.  They were advised that the Council met regularly with Wates, and following recent changes to their staffing arrangements, the relationship was progressing positively.

Members questioned if the projects would have elderly living quarters and disabled homes.  They were advised that whilst the current plan would have wheelchair accessible homes, homes for elderly residents were not yet planned.  However, given the outline nature of future phases at Poets Corner, such facilities could be considered in future should these present a viable option.

The Chair thanked the Leader, Deputy Leader (Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration), the Managing Director, the Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration, as well as officers, for their attendance and responses to questions.

Furthermore, the Chair, the Leader, the Deputy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 131.

The Committee considered confidential appendices and made comments, to which responses were given.

RESOLVED:  That the confidential appendices be noted.