The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 11 March 2025 to discuss the outcomes of the consultation on the New Harrow Local Plan and the progress of the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP). The committee noted the submission of the New Harrow Local Plan for examination and referred their comments to Cabinet, and also noted the HSDP report, referring their comments to Cabinet for consideration.

New Harrow Local Plan – Consultation Outcomes and Submission

The committee received an information report detailing the outcomes of the latest consultation on the draft New Harrow Local Plan 2021-2041. The report confirmed the submission of the draft plan to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 26 February 2025 for examination.

Members raised concerns that the committee was being asked to scrutinise the plan after the consultation had concluded and the plan had been submitted. It was explained that the consultation process does not end with the submission, and that the plan submitted was largely unchanged from the version previously presented to the committee. The committee was also informed that the plan, prepared under the 2023 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), would be implemented under the 2024 version without requiring a supplemental Local Plan. Questions were also raised about whether other local authorities were developing similar plans and if advice from King's Counsel (KC) was being sought, which was confirmed. The risk of planning applications being appealed was assessed as moderate, with assurances that the plan targeted the NPPF's tests of soundness and had been considered in general conformity with the London Plan by the Mayor of London.

The committee resolved to note the report and refer its comments to Cabinet for consideration.

Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP) Report

The committee received an update on the progress of the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP), including the updated Overarching Business Plan and phase business plans for Poets Corner and Byron Quarter Phase 1. These plans are scheduled for consideration by Cabinet on 13 March 2025.

Discussions covered concerns about the impact of increased building costs on the viability of schemes, with assurances that the partnership with Wates Construction Limited had limited the council's exposure to variations. The committee also queried the identification of a contractor for the build-to-rent project at Poets Corner, noting that none had yet been identified. The potential use of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for property acquisition at Byron Quarter and Poets Corner was discussed, with a priority stated for genuinely affordable social homes at Grange Farm. Members also raised concerns about the relationship with Wates, which was reported to be progressing positively following recent staffing changes. The committee questioned whether the projects would include provisions for elderly and disabled residents, with confirmation that wheelchair-accessible homes were planned, but specific provision for elderly residents was not yet included, though it could be considered for future phases at Poets Corner.

The committee resolved to note the HSDP report and refer its comments to Cabinet for consideration.

The committee also considered confidential appendices related to the HSDP report, resolving to note these as well.