Plans for a new sensory room at a day care centre were approved, despite concerns it could exacerbate issues faced by neighbouring properties.

Harrow Council’s planning committee approved proposals for the new outbuilding at Northwick House, in Northwick Park Road.

Northwick House is a care and accommodation facility supporting people with learning and physical disabilities, including sensory impairments.

Those living nearby said there have been repeated issues with security breaches, early morning noise and parking.

“There are families, young children and elderly people living on this road,” said objector Elsa Morrison.

“We know longer feel safe or at peace – we feel like our lives don’t matter.”

Developers explained the sensory room will support its residents with special needs and that a number of measures will be put in place to ensure those living nearby are “not adversely affected”.

These include limiting the number of users to five – including a carer – at any one time, operating between 8am and 8pm, and a ban on music.

Several councillors on the planning committee expressed sympathy with neighbouring properties.

They said there are “very serious issues that need to be addressed”- and suggested they get in touch with ward councillors – but they also recognised the merits of the application.

Cllr Kiran Ramchandani said the plans will “improve services for users” and that they would “outweigh any extra inconvenience”.

And Cllr Marilyn Ashton, deputy leader of Harrow Conservatives, said it was important “not to unpick permission that has already been granted”.

Cllr Ghazanfar Ali, who represents Greenhill ward, which includes this site, abstained from voting on the basis that there are, in his view, outstanding concerns attached to the facility.

However, the remaining six members of the committee approved the plans on the basis that they were acceptable in planning terms.