Challenge over decision to rent West Harrow tennis courts to private company

A DECISION to turn run-down West Harrow Recreation Ground into a private tennis academy has been challenged by councillors.
They claim that no consultation had been held with residents before councillor Tony Ferrari (Conservative), portfolio holder for major contracts and property, agreed in March to rent out the land in The Ridgeway in West Harrow, for 35 years.
The company interested in the development would - at its own expense - build changing rooms, a gymnasium and a base for a local boxing club, while in the winter, four of the tennis courts would be covered by a translucent bubble dome to ensure year-round use of the facility.
A council report into the existing seven tennis courts said: "They are currently in a poor state of repair and incapable of use without significant financial investment.
"They require resurfacing, new fencing and new nets and the council does not have the financial resources to undertake this
work.
"Additionally, the council needs to secure the site to prevent it being a health and safety hazard."
However, five Labour and Lib Dem members have 'called in' the decision, a process which allows backbench members of Harrow Council to collectively request a public review of a cabinet-level decision.
They said: "We would emphasise that we are not necessarily against the actual proposal itself or a modification of it but we are very much against the failure of the council to consult anyone and take their views into account."
A call-in sub-committee is being held tonight at Harrow Civic Centre to debate the decision.