PROPOSALS for a printworks, a museum and new homes in the heart of Harrow on the Hill have been rejected by councillors.

Graham Harwood, of Harwood Press, had sought permission to demolish the industrial workshops and the rear of a row of locally-Listed but dilapidated terraced cottages that form part of the company's headquarters in West Street - while retaining their facade - to redevelop the land as houses, storage for a classic car collection, a Harwood Print Works Museum, an art gallery, a coffee shop, and offices.

However, Harrow Council's planning committee followed officers' recommendation and refused the scheme on December 18 on the grounds of the deficiencies of three proposed new houses known as A, B and C.

Neighbour Dr Jane Yardley, a scientist who had objected to the scheme, said: “We wish Mr Harwood luck but we couldn’t allow plot A to go ahead.

“I applaud the idea of renovating the houses next door. A number of us are very much in favour of the idea of partly demolishing the rest of the terrace - they are in a grim state - and we know it will cause havoc but we will grit our teeth and bear it.

“In order to finance it all, he had planned to build three houses and house A was a hopeless house.

“Not only was it far too small - it didn’t meet the Lifetimes Homes Standards - but the only access was off an alleyway.

“It was the wrong house in the wrong place.”