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New hope for flat protesters
By Ian Proctor
Government minister Hazel Blears is to have the final say on whether to approve controversial plans to build tower-blocks in Gayton Road, Harrow.
The news will bring renewed hope to opponents of the scheme who were angered by the scale, bulk and height of the development on the site of the former Gayton Road Library and pay-and-display car park in the centre of town.
Harrow council's strategic planning committee approved the proposal - submitted by developers Fairview New Homes and Mount Anvil - in May.
Disappointed residents who had petitioned and lobbied councillors to reject the scheme then relied on Mayor of London Boris Johnson (Conservative) to use his veto - but he did not.
However, Labour councillor Navin Shah, who is also London Assembly member for Harrow and Brent, wrote to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears urging her to 'call in' the application - in other words, use her discretionary power to scrutinise the original committee decision.
The minister's departmental officials will pour over the facts of the case to see if it should be overturned because it does not adhere to planning policies.
Campaigner Peter Coppock, 67, of Ashburnham Avenue, Harrow, said: "The Secretary of State is going to think again about it. Everybody said it wasn't properly thought through in the first place."
If the developers retain permission, they will be able to build 383 flats in five blocks of between four and 10 storeys as well as 200 underground public car parking spaces, 81 residents' spaces, a cycle rack with room for 383 bikes and a play area.
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