A SHORTLIST of redundant and under-used garage blocks that could be demolished to make way for new affordable housing has been released.
Twelve sites have been identified by Harrow Council for potential ‘in-filling’ as properties and the dozen locations in the first phase of the scheme are anticipated to collectively deliver 50 new affordable homes.
PRP Architects has been appointed to carry out further feasibility studies on which locations should actually be developed, following which residents of the estates in question will be consulted on the options available.
One of the sites is three individual blocks at Augustine Road in Hatch End.
A report to the council's tenants’, leaseholders’ and residents’ consultative forum on Wednesday, February 19, said: “The blocks
have suffered severe anti-social behaviour in the past, leading to a number of garage doors being removed to prevent the garages being used as ‘dens’.
“In addition the site backs immediately onto a railway line and so poses a health and safety risk.
“The condition of many of the garages does not merit repair and this will not resolve the anti-social behaviour issue due to the location and characteristics of the site.
“It is likely that up to 88 of the 97 garages will require demolition as they are in the worst condition.”
The council is investigating whether, once levelled, the site could be converted into a pay-and-display car park to help motorists using Headstone Lane Station or could be made a permit-only car park.
A further 24 garage blocks across Harrow have been listed under phase two of the scheme ‘to be taken forward in future development phases’.
The council told the consultative forum it will seek to provide suitable alternative garages where possible to decant those tenants of garages to be redeveloped – allowing the Conservative-run authority to maintain existing levels of rental income.
