The Planning Committee of Harrow Council met on Tuesday 6 October 2026 to discuss two planning applications. The committee granted permission for a co-living development at 12-14 College Road, Harrow, subject to a Section 106 agreement and conditions. The second application, for a change of use at 76 West Street, Harrow on the Hill, was withdrawn from the agenda by the Chief Planning Officer due to late representations.

12-14 College Road, Harrow, HA1 1BE (PL/0126/26)

The committee granted planning permission for the redevelopment of 12-14 College Road to create a co-living scheme comprising 104 rooms, communal amenity space, and ground-floor co-working space and cafe. The development will involve the retention of the locally listed building and the construction of a new part 5, part 10-storey building to the rear.

The decision was made subject to a Section 106 agreement that will secure an affordable housing contribution of £161,000, an Employment, Skills and Training Plan, local procurement strategy, carbon offset contribution, provisions for district heating network connection, urban greening contribution, car-free development obligations, a travel plan, highway works, and management and occupation controls for the co-living development. A number of conditions were also imposed, relating to external materials, construction management, public realm strategy, urban greening, drainage, BREEAM certification, secured by design, biodiversity features, fire safety, and waste management.

Councillor Peymana Assad proposed refusal on the grounds that the proposal failed to deliver an appropriate form and quality of housing, citing a lack of affordable homes on-site and a contribution that fell materially below policy expectations. She also argued that the design did not optimise the site effectively, referencing the intensity of the development, its scale, and rooms falling below minimum size guidelines. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Angella Murphy-Strachan but was lost.

The majority of the committee voted to grant permission, with Councillors Marilyn Ashton, Anjana Patel, Christopher Baxter, Philip Benjamin, and Norman Stevenson voting in favour. Councillors Peymana Assad and Angella Murphy-Strachan voted against, while Councillors Salim Chowdhury, Michael Raven, Zak Wagman, Rashmi Kalu, and Norman Stevenson were noted as absent or abstaining.

76 West Street, Harrow on the Hill, HA1 3ER (PL/2559/25)

This application sought a change of use from office to a teaching facility for John Lyon School, to accommodate an additional 67 sixth form students. The application had previously been recommended for approval by officers and granted by the committee on 24 June 2026, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.

However, the Chief Planning Officer reported the application back to the committee due to late representations from objectors concerning the transport assessment. These late representations raised concerns about the increase in student numbers and its potential impact on highway safety and parking. Officers stated they had been unable to consider these additional matters and provide appropriate advice. Consequently, the application was withdrawn from the agenda to allow time for further consideration.