Harrow Council approves 104‑unit College Road scheme despite height concerns
Planning permission granted on 6 October 2026; developer must pay £161,000 under a Section 106 agreement
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Harrow Council Planning Committee granted planning permission for the College Road development on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, as reported by MyLondon. The approval allows a new 10‑storey rear block behind a listed building to be constructed, providing 104 co‑living units and ground‑floor public amenities.
Site and proposed amenities
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The development replaces the former Harrow Post Office and two rear buildings that sit behind a Grade II listed structure on College Road. The plan calls for a ground‑floor café and an event or co‑working space that will be open to the public. The first and second floors of the new block will contain the 104 co‑living units, while the remaining eight storeys will be residential apartments.
Objections from the Town Centre BID
The Harrow Town Centre Business Improvement District submitted a formal objection in February 2026, as reported by MyLondon. The BID argued that a ten‑storey tower would dominate the streetscape, block natural light and increase traffic congestion. A redacted objection described the proposal as a “massive eyesore” that would affect property values in Percival Square.
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Proposals include changes to historic pubs, residential conversions, and a community health hub.
The proposed part 5, part 10‑storey rear block represents a substantial and overbearing form of development that is out of keeping with the prevailing scale and character of College Road and its surrounding area.
Harrow Town Centre Business Improvement District
Council rationale and conditions
Planning officers assessed the objections and concluded that the scheme would aid regeneration of the Harrow Metropolitan Town Centre. Harrow Council said the project is a “substantial redevelopment and intensification of an underutilised site”. The Planning Committee accepted the officers’ recommendation and granted permission, attaching a Section 106 condition for a £161,000 contribution.
Broader regeneration context
The approval forms part of a wider set of regeneration initiatives announced by Harrow Council in 2025, which include upgrades to public transport links and improvements to public spaces around College Road. The council expects the new housing to increase the town‑centre population and support local businesses, including the new café.
Impact on local residents
Residents on College Road or in nearby Percival Square may notice increased footfall once the café and co‑working space open. The council indicated that traffic modelling will be reviewed during the Section 106 process to ensure road capacity remains adequate.
Planning Committee vote
The Planning Committee, which meets monthly and includes elected councillors and independent members, voted unanimously in favour of the proposal after hearing the officer report and a brief public comment period.
Monitoring and future consultation
The Section 106 agreement must be finalised before any building work can commence. Council officers noted that the £161,000 figure falls below the amount normally expected under the council’s policy, but it was accepted as part of the overall package. Residents will be invited to comment on the implementation of the agreement during any subsequent public consultations on transport, parking or public‑realm improvements. The developer has not announced a construction timetable, and council monitoring will include annual reviews of the contribution’s use for local improvements such as street lighting or pedestrian crossings.
Questions this report answers
+When was planning permission granted for the College Road scheme?
Planning permission was granted on Tuesday, 6 October 2026 by the Harrow Council Planning Committee, as reported by MyLondon. The decision allows the construction of a 10‑storey rear block behind a listed building on College Road.
+How many co‑living units will the new development contain?
The approved scheme includes 104 co‑living units. These will be located on the first and second floors of the new 10‑storey rear block, with additional residential apartments occupying the upper storeys.
+What is the Section 106 contribution and what does it mean for residents?
The Section 106 agreement requires the developer to pay £161,000 toward local infrastructure, as noted by Harrow Council. The sum is lower than the amount normally expected, but it will be used for improvements such as street lighting or pedestrian crossings, and residents can comment on its implementation during future consultations.
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