Plans for almost 500 new flats as part of a major housing development in Harrow were approved despite concerns the site has reached “a saturation point”.

Harrow Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (April 14) granted permission for 474 homes in blocks up to 14 storeys high at Harrow View East on the site of the former Kodak factory.

It is the latest section of a major project, which seeks to provide thousands of new homes alongside commercial and community facilities.

The three Conservative members of the committee – Cllr Marilyn Ashton (Stanmore Park), Cllr Anjana Patel (Belmont), and Cllr Christopher Baxter (Headstone North) – opposed this aspect of the scheme on the basis it could lead to overdevelopment.

Cllr Ashton suggested it is acceptable for local authorities to “say no” when they feel plans are going over the edge.

She criticised developers’ tactics of increasing the height and scale of the housing blocks with each application and presenting the idea that bigger towers are acceptable when lined up against other large structures.

And she said that, while she recognises the need for more homes in the borough, councillors must “appreciate how it will affect future occupiers and infrastructure”.

Her comments were supported by some of those living close to the site, who, commenting on the council’s planning portal, suggested it could soon resemble a “concrete jungle” and lead to “warehousing” due to the imbalance between housing blocks and green space.

Cllr Peymana Assad (Lab, Roxeth) expressed some concerns about the level of affordability in such schemes and the fact many Harrow residents are struggling to get on the housing ladder.

Planning officers noted that, in this case, with 40 per cent of properties deemed “affordable” when calculated by habitable room, it would be compliant with local policies.

They added this would be split 60:40 in favour of affordable rent levels over shared ownership.

Despite the objections put forward by some councillors and residents, the majority of the committee voted in favour of officers’ recommendation that the scheme be approved.