The Planning Committee of Harrow Council was scheduled to discuss several planning applications, including proposals for residential developments and changes of use. A key item on the agenda was the potential introduction of an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for converting dwelling houses into small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider a number of planning applications, with the most significant being:

Oakleigh House, 10 Oakleigh Road, Hatch End, Pinner (PL/2815/25)

This application concerned the demolition of the existing building at Oakleigh House and its redevelopment to provide a two-storey building with a basement level and habitable roof space, intended for use as a residential care home (Use Class C2). The proposal included changes to vehicle access, new pedestrian access, landscaping, refuse storage, and car and cycle parking. The recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and conditions. This agreement would cover matters such as ongoing monitoring of Biodiversity Net Gain, carbon offset contributions, travel plan requirements, legal costs, and monitoring fees.

320 Station Road, Harrow (PL/2504/25)

This application sought planning permission for the use of the ground floor of a newly redeveloped four-storey building as an Adult Gaming Centre (Sui Generis use class). The site was previously a betting shop and is located within Harrow Town Centre's primary shopping frontage. The proposal included a 24-hour operating period and the generation of employment for six full-time and two part-time staff. The recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions including Secure by Design certification and the proper storage of refuse bins.

109 Howberry Road, Stanmore (PL/2554/25)

The proposal involved the conversion of the existing two-storey semi-detached dwelling into two self-contained flats (one three-bedroom and one two-bedroom). This would include associated parking, cycle and refuse stores, and private amenity spaces. External alterations included the removal of a pergola at the rear of a garage outbuilding and the creation of a new rear door for the ground floor flat to access the garden. The recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions covering time limits, approved plans, matching materials, fire safety, landscaping, car parking management, cycle storage, bin storage, Secure by Design accreditation, obscured glazing, and restrictions on permitted development rights to prevent conversion to HMOs.

280 & 282 Whitchurch Lane, Edgware (PL/2166/25)

This application detailed plans for a two-storey front infill extension with an undercroft to both Nos. 280 and 282 Whitchurch Lane, a two-storey side extension to No. 280, and two-storey rear extensions to both properties with roof terraces. It also included alterations and extensions to both roofs, incorporating end gables and second-floor rear terraces. The proposal was to convert the properties into eight residential flats (one one-bedroom, six two-bedroom, and one three-bedroom), with associated access, parking, landscaping, and bin/cycle storage. The recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and conditions. The legal agreement would address car-free/parking permit restrictions and off-site Biodiversity Net Gain contributions.

Urgent Business: Article 4 Direction on HMOs

Under Any Other Urgent Business, the committee was asked to consider the introduction of an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for converting dwelling houses into small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This would mean that planning permission would be required for such changes of use across the entire borough. The report noted that small HMOs are shared houses occupied by three to six unrelated individuals. Currently, no planning permission is required for this change of use, which can lead to issues such as the loss of family-sized housing, negative impacts on area character and amenity, poor refuse management, noise and nuisance, imbalanced communities, and increased pressure on parking and local facilities. The committee was asked to note and comment on the report, resolve to produce and adopt an immediate Article 4 Direction covering the whole borough, and request a future report detailing the formal proposals.