People are asking why there has been so little publicity about the application to re-develop The Brethren Meeting Room at 265 The Ridgeway.  

This is because the Government has issued Regulation 2020 No 505 which largely removes the obligation to inform or consult with local residents in any meaningful way and this rule remains in place until the end of this year!

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/505/pdfs/uksiem_20200505_en.pdf

However the regulation states that WHERE THEY CAN planning Authorities will still be required to erect site notices and issue neighbour notification letters, unless it is "not reasonably practicable".

In view of this, what has prevented Harrow Council from placing a Plannng Notification on the gates of 265 The Ridgeway, other than a desire to keep their residents in the dark about this extremely unpopular planning application?

Interestingly on the Catalyst Housing Association website  (the organisation whose project is to build on Rayners Lane, Canons Park and Stanmore Station Car Parks), have delayed their application stating "we have agreed with the Council to pause consideration of this application".

Why has this consideration not been allowed for 265 The Ridgeway!

I would like to share (in part) with you a readers letter from a respected newspaper which sums up residents concerns.

``Boroughs within commuting distance of London have until now been subject to draconian requirements by the Government to build extra housing

The strain on local infrastructure under these plans will be huge.  Health facilities are already stretched, roads already congested.  Pressure on local councils to meet these requirements has become the dominant factor in assessing planning applications at the expense of concerns over infrastructure and the environment.

These official requirements should be removed with immediate effect.  In two years time a fresh assessment of housing demand in the South East could be undertaken"

Here, Here