The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is set to make a pivotal decision regarding a contentious housing development in North London. This move comes after the local planning authority, Harrow Council, previously rejected plans to demolish a Beefeater restaurant and a Premier Inn hotel to construct new residential buildings.
In September 2023, Harrow Council’s Planning Committee deemed the proposal for the site on Carlton Avenue as “overbearing and out of character” with the existing suburban environment of Kenton. The rejected application sought to replace the current structures, which include The Travellers Rest pub and the hotel, with residential buildings ranging from four to seven stories high. The committee expressed concerns that the scale of the development would not fit well within the local character.
Despite the council’s refusal, Sir Sadiq Khan intervened on December 1, 2023, by “calling in” the application. This action transfers the authority to decide the project’s future from Harrow Council to the Mayor’s office. Khan highlighted the potential benefits of the development, stating it could make “a significant and positive contribution” towards meeting housing needs in London.
The proposal includes plans for 109 flats and 103 co-living units, with an emphasis on providing 35 percent affordable housing. This aspect of the plan was viewed favorably by city officials, as it aligns with broader housing targets. While the council’s officers recommended the application for approval, the Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, opposed it, arguing that the development would disrupt the character of the area.
Ashton expressed her frustration, stating, “I’m sorry but, although I accept that the site is developable, […] in my view it wouldn’t be subjective for anyone to look at this and wonder why something that is so urban in character should be imposed on an area that is so suburban.” She emphasized that the towering structures proposed would be more appropriate for an urban setting rather than a residential suburb.
Following the Mayor’s intervention, a public hearing is expected to take place at City Hall before a final decision is reached. During this hearing, Sir Sadiq Khan will gather input from Harrow Council, the development applicant Whitbread PLC, which owns both the hotel and restaurant, as well as local residents who support or oppose the project.
Typically, a decision on such applications is made relatively quickly, often within an hour. However, the Mayor has the discretion to defer the decision for up to five working days if further consideration is needed.
As the situation unfolds, the outcome of this decision could have lasting implications for housing development in Harrow and the surrounding areas, reflecting the ongoing challenges of balancing urban growth with community character.
