The Planning Policy Advisory Panel of Harrow Council met on Monday 16 February 2026 to discuss proposed Local Areas of Special Character (LASCs) and updates to the council's list of Locally Listed Buildings. The panel resolved to recommend to Cabinet that three areas be approved for public consultation as LASCs and that 13 buildings be considered for inclusion on the Local List. A verbal update on the draft National Planning Policy Framework was also noted.

Proposed Local Areas of Special Character

The panel considered proposals for three new Local Areas of Special Character (LASCs) and recommended that these be put forward for public consultation. These designations aim to recognise areas of local architectural and historic interest that may not meet the stricter criteria for conservation area status.

The three proposed areas are:

• Harrow Garden Village, Pinner: This area, a flagship Metro-land development from the 1930s, was noted for retaining its original planned layout, scale, architectural detailing, and garden suburb landscape. Officers highlighted its high level of intactness and cohesion.
• Belmont Lane and Old Church Lane, Stanmore: This area comprises cohesive groupings of Victorian and Edwardian buildings that mark the transition from rural to suburban Stanmore following the arrival of the railway. The area features Arts and Crafts influences, an unusual courtyard form from former Victorian stables, a distinctive V-shaped layout at Lindeth Close, and surviving greenery and boundary treatments.
• Wellington Road, Woodridings Avenue, and Wellington Avenue, Hatch End: This area originates from the Victorian Woodridings Estate and includes the locally listed Zetland Villas. It was recognised for its cohesive Edwardian streetscape, consistent Arts and Crafts style houses, and cultural associations with notable historical figures.

Following Cabinet approval, a six-week public consultation will be undertaken for these proposed areas.

Locally Listed Buildings Update

The panel also reviewed proposals for additions to Harrow's Local List of Buildings. This list identifies buildings of local architectural or historic importance that do not meet the criteria for national statutory listing. The criteria for local listing include architectural interest, townscape or group value, historic interest, and historical associations with important people or events.

Thirteen buildings were presented for potential inclusion:

• Hall Lodge, Pinner: A post-enclosure Victorian Gothic-style building on former common land.
• 34 and 36 Rickmansworth Road, Pinner: Houses believed to have been designed by Elspeth McClelland, a Pinner suffragette and early female architect.
• Belmont Community Hall, Harrow Weald: A rare surviving purpose-built British Restaurant from 1940, reflecting wartime origins.
• Glebe Primary School (now Kenton Learning Centre), Queensbury: A striking 1930s Modernist school with Art Deco detailing, noted for its intactness.
• Kenmore Park Junior School, Harrow: A 1930s Modernist school with Art Deco influences, also noted for its intactness and wartime/aviation associations.
• Park High School, Stanmore: A 1930s Metro-land school with a modernist design and Art Deco influences, featuring a distinctive tower.
• BT Telephone Exchange, Hatch End: A circa 1927 building designed by Sir Richard Allison, notable for its neo-classical design and its role in the development of early telephone services.
• Bentley Priory Obelisk, Stanmore: A red brick obelisk shown on historic maps, relating to the garden design of Bentley Priory.
• 7 Holland Close, Stanmore: A 1930s modernist house comparable to others in the Kerry Avenue Conservation Area.
• 41 Elm Park, Stanmore: Built in 1917 by the Borough Surveyor, incorporating salvaged materials from a demolished Victorian villa.
• BT Telephone Exchange, Kenton Park Parade: An early 20th-century neo-classical design by T.F. Nash, contributing to the character of Kenton Park Parade.
• Lane End, Hillside Road, Pinner: A 1920s Arts and Crafts cottage-style house with historic associations with film critic Caroline Lejeune and her notable visitors.
• Grave of Baptist Willoughby, Stanmore: A 17th-century grave associated with the former medieval parish church of St Mary.

The panel resolved to recommend these buildings to Cabinet for consultation and inclusion in the Supplementary Planning Document, with delegated authority to the Chief Planning Officer to make final decisions following consultation.

Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

The panel received a verbal update on the Government's draft revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and proposed National Decision-Making Policies (NDMPs). The Head of Planning Policy explained that the draft NPPF represents a significant rewrite, introducing a clearer hierarchy where NDMPs would apply directly to decision-making, potentially giving local plan policies limited weight in cases of inconsistency. The draft aims to accelerate plan-making and provide greater certainty through more rules-based policies, with a strengthened presumption in favour of sustainable development and higher density expectations around railway stations. The consultation period for the draft NPPF was noted as running until 10 March 2026. The panel noted the verbal update.