AN EMPTY pub in Wealdstone could be demolished to make way for a hotel under plans to be considered by Harrow Council on Wednesday.

Nursing home chain McNeil submitted plans to demolish the existing building in High Street and develop a new part three, part four- and part five-storey budget hotel with 78 bedrooms, which will have a ground floor café and four parking spaces.

Brenda Harvey, chairwoman of residents group Wealdstone Active Community, said: “I certainly like to see that site redeveloped, it’s been empty for so long. I do not have a problem with it being a hotel because that obviously brings people into Wealdstone, which will be beneficial for the local shops around.

“The only thing that does bother me is the 78 bedrooms and only four parking spaces. Do they expect all their guest to come by train and bus?” 

DWA Architects, which worked on the project with McNeil, expects most of the guests will be tourists visiting London who would be mainly travelling by public transport since the location is close to Harrow and Wealdstone Station.

The hotel has been increased from an original 57 bedrooms and the architect firm said it expects a high quantity of part- and full-time jobs to be created.

Not everyone is in favour of the enhanced scheme since occupants of nearby Bannister House in Headstone Lane, Harrow, objected.

One, Stephen Cook, said: “One of the reasons I bought my flat is because of the view that is enjoyed, which ranges from Harrow on the Hill to Canary Wharf. The new building will block much of this fantastic scenery. I feel with the nature of the clientèle frequenting the hotel that this would be a severe breach of the privacy of those that live at Bannister House facing this development.”

Members of Harrow Council's planning committee which meets on June 15 at Harrow Civic Centre in Station Road, Harrow, will be recommended to grant permission for the project as planning officers advised “the provision of further accommodation with this scheme, would compliment existing conventional hotels in Harrow and Wealdstone and would bring a dilapidated and vacant site back into active use” and “the proposal is acceptable with regards to its visual impact, impact on amenity on adjacent occupiers and other associated impacts”.

A previous application by McNeil to demolish the pub and build a care home was withdrawn in 2008.