The Planning Committee of Harrow Council met on Wednesday 21 May 2025, where they granted Listed Building Consent for alterations at The Rookery, 187 Stanmore Hill, and approved a change of use for the Royal Mail Harrow Postal Office. The committee also refused planning permission for a proposed development at 26 Fallowfield, Stanmore, and deferred a decision on the removal of conditions at The Hollies, Oxhey Lane.

The Rookery, 187 Stanmore Hill, HA7 3HA

The committee granted Listed Building Consent for internal and external alterations at The Rookery, 187 Stanmore Hill. The proposal, which was part retrospective, involved the strip-out of the interior and renewal of decoration. The decision was unanimous, with the committee agreeing that the proposed works would help preserve the special interest of the listed building, subject to relevant conditions. These conditions include a comprehensive photographic and textual recording of the building, detailed plans for staircase repairs, door reinstatement, fireplace restoration, floorboard works, and decorative plasterwork, as well as addressing water ingress issues. The works are to be completed within 24 months of approval.

26 Fallowfield, Stanmore, HA7 3DF

Planning permission was refused for the demolition and redevelopment of 26 Fallowfield, Stanmore, to provide a three-storey detached dwelling. The committee voted to refuse the officer's recommendation for approval. Councillor Marilyn Ashton, supported by Councillor Zak Wagman, proposed refusal on the grounds that the design of the proposed redevelopment would appear overbearing and out of keeping with the street scene, particularly due to its flat roofs in a road characterised by pitched roofs. This was considered detrimental to the residential and visual amenity of the locality, contrary to policies in the Harrow Core Strategy, the London Plan, and the Harrow Development Management Policies Local Plan.

Royal Mail Harrow Postal Office, Elmgrove Road, HA1 2ED

The committee unanimously granted planning permission for a change of use at the Royal Mail Harrow Postal Office, Elmgrove Road. The proposal involves changing the use from a sorting office (Sui Generis) to two separate units: Unit One for Car Repair, Storage, and MOT (Sui Generis), and Unit Two for a Car Showroom (Sui Generis). The decision was based on the assessment that the proposed development complies with relevant land use policies, provides employment, and would not have an adverse impact on the amenity of adjoining properties. Conditions were attached regarding delivery and servicing arrangements, cycle parking, and a parking management plan.

The Hollies, Oxhey Lane, HA5 4AL

A decision on the removal of conditions 5 and 6, which restrict general permitted development rights, at The Hollies, Oxhey Lane, was deferred. Councillor Marilyn Ashton, supported by Councillor Christopher Baxter, proposed deferral, indicating that the committee was minded to grant the proposal, disagreeing with the officer's recommendation for refusal. The committee felt that the refusal recommendation was unreasonable and that approving the proposal would not cause significant harm to the character of the area, given the typically large, detached houses in the road. The deferral was agreed by a majority vote.