Agenda item

Members received the Report on the New Harrow Local Plan – Way Forward and Strategic Objectives.

The report introduced the Local Plan process and key issues that would need to be addressed as part of the new Harrow Local Plan.

Members were invited to give comments and discuss the Plan in its scoping, including the broad vision and objectives.

The report was accompanied by a presentation.

Key elements of the current (2012) Core Strategy’s long term Spatial Vision for Harrow by 2026 were:

a)              A more sustainable community;

b)              Comprehensive and co-ordinated regeneration activity;

c)              The Northolt Road business use area will have been renewed;

d)              Rayners Lane will be enhanced to one of the best examples of a classic Metroland and Art Deco Centre in outer London;

e)              The leafy suburban character of the Borough’s residential areas will have been safeguarded as areas of low density, and family housing;

f)                The future of Bentley Priory and the RNOH will have been secured as places of national importance;

g)              Employment land throughout the Borough will have managed to preserve a supply most suitable for existing and future needs;

h)              The housing needs of the Borough will have been met; and

i)                The overall amount of waste generated in the Borough will have been reduced.

The following was what had changed:

a)              Four National Planning Policy Frameworks (NPPF) have been issued;

b)              Two new London Plans plus intervening Alterations adopted;

c)              Countless changes to statutory instruments changing planning regulations;

d)              Environmental and Climate Change protections have changed significantly;

e)              Fire protections introduced;

f)                A new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB) progressing through Parliament; and

g)              Ongoing evidence based development.

In the discussion that ensued, Members made comments and asked the following questions:

§     How long the Plan would last, and whether future needs of the Borough would be incorporated in the strategic objectives of the Plan;

§     What was meant by “Open Harrow”?

§     Whether the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB), which was introduced into Parliament on 11 May 2022, would delay the Local Plan;

§     It was imperative to protect what residents loved about Harrow – being a “leafy suburban” Borough within easy travel to central London;

§     The Council had responded to consultations on the draft revised NPPF, and it was envisaged the local Plan examination by the Inspectorate would be simplified by the proposed changes.

In response, it was advised that:

§     The plan was for between 15 years to 20 years, and if the Local Plan was not reviewed after 5 years, it would be deemed “out-of-date”;

§     The concept “Open Harrow” was for Members to articulate and define what the Borough was open to.  For instance, “Open for Business”;

§     It was not expected that that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB) would delay the local Plan.  On the contrary, it would shorten the process and make it easier for local authorities to make decisions;

§     The consultation on the proposed NPPF changes would seek to protect the Borough, and there had been high level discussions between Members and Officers on that. Details would be shared with Members in due course.

Members also noted the following issues that the new Local Plan should seek to address:

§     Housing to address housing shortage;

§     Protecting the Green Belt;

§     Transport hubs;

§     Promoting investment in the Borough – to be competitive with other town centres;

§     Enhancing the economic offer of the Borough;

§     Providing the right sort of housing (families); and

§     Being realistic about how people travel around the Borough.

RESOLVED:  That the Report and presentation be noted.