Councillors are this week expected to decide on plans for dozens of new homes in a high street and proposals to replace a nursing home with a nursery.

Harrow Council’s planning committee will assess proposals for 39 flats at Premier House, in High Street, Wealdstone, this Wednesday.

If they are approved, three more floors will be added to the building – taking it to seven storeys in total.

Homes would also replace the existing banqueting suite at the site, as well as the vacant offices at the top of the current building.

No changes are proposed to the ground floor café and library.

Developers also intend to provide “new, flexible workspace” at the building, while improvements including new windows, cladding and shopfronts have been suggested.

The council received three objections from neighbouring properties in response to its consultation, which highlighted issues such as the height increase and the size of some of the flats.

There were also some concerns around the impact on the surrounding area, particularly on local infrastructure and traffic.

However, Harrow Council officers deemed the design of the proposed building to be acceptable and noted it will be a car-free development, save for four disabled bays, while new residents will be banned from applying for permits in nearby controlled parking zones.

The committee will also review plans for a new nursery in Oakleigh House, Oakleigh Road, Hatch End.

Ealing Times:

Oakleigh House (Photo: Harrow Council)

Here, the applicant seeks to replace a 22-place nursing home with a facility catering for up to 127 children.

Upon publication of the council report on the application, 64 objections had been received, as well as a petition with 744 signatures and a letter from The Oakleigh Road Funders Group.

Those opposed to the plans outlined concerns around the increased noise that would come from a nursery, suggesting the installation of an acoustic fence to mitigate this would be “insufficient”.

They also highlighted issues relating to the potential increase in traffic and pollution and argued the “best case” scenario had been put forward in the report which, they said, overestimated the amount of people who would walk to the site.

However, following their assessment of these and other planning considerations, council officers have recommended the committee approve the scheme.

The meeting will be available to view through the council’s website at 6.30pm.