Plans to build hundreds of new homes on three London underground station car parks need to be “seriously thought through”, according to several councillors.

Harrow Council’s major development panel expressed concerns about the loss of commuter parking spaces if the schemes are given the green light.

Transport for London (TfL) hopes to build more than 500 new affordable homes on Rayners Lane, Stanmore and Canons Park station car parks.

Working alongside housing association Catalyst, it gave a presentation last night (July 10) outlining the initial proposals for the programme.

All three developments are set to be car free – to promote sustainable transport and improve air quality – and provide affordable housing in well-located areas.

But councillors are worried that certain aspects, particularly the loss of parking spaces, will have a negative effect on Harrow.

Rayners Lane spaces will reduce from 241 to 100, Stanmore will drop from 450 to 300 and Canons Park will see its spaces cut from 162 to 60.

Cllr Marilyn Ashton, who represents Stanmore Park ward, said: “My residents are spooked by this and it really needs a lot of thought.

“We really need to appreciate how sensitive this is – there will be demonstrations and real problems if we do not sort this out.”

She added there could be further issues if visitors to the new residents take up parking spaces and suggested encouraging people to cycle to the station is “unrealistic”.

Cllr Paul Osborn, leader of Harrow Conservatives, agreed removing a significant number of spaces could lead to further problems around the borough.

He said: “People don’t just park here for the fun of it, because it isn’t cheap. But if you take it away, you just push the problem elsewhere, which doesn’t help anyone.”

Councillors also noted infrastructure around the new sites would need to be improved to support residents and encourage the use of public transport.

They added the impact on events at Wembley Stadium – with visitors often making use of Stanmore and Canons Park – would need to be addressed.

TfL pointed out there is time to review the schemes, with a 2021 start date currently pencilled in.

It will return to the panel in November and is holding consultations on the sites between 5pm and 8pm on three dates next week.

The Rayners Lane event will be held at the Beacon Community Centre, in Scott Crescent, on July 16.

Canons Park residents can visit Canons Hall, in Wemborough Road, on July 17 and the Stanmore event is at Aylward Primary School, in Pangbourne Drive, on July 18.