STOP THE STANMORE GARDENS DEVELOPMENT 

We, the undersigned, strongly object to the proposed Stanmore Gardens development at Anmer Lodge and the car parks behind Stanmore Broadway.

We are calling on Harrow Council to REFUSE this proposal in its current form.

This is not opposition to homes or sensible brownfield regeneration. It is opposition to a scheme that would force an excessive, high-rise and high-density development into a suburban town centre without proving that Stanmore’s roads, transport, health services, schools, drainage, green spaces and residential streets can cope.

The developer is proposing 293 conventional homes and 291 co-living apartments: 584 HOMES in TOTAL . Residents understand the emerging proposal to involve FIVE major blocks, including FOUR of around 9 STOREYS  and one reaching around 15 STOREYS. 

This would fundamentally change Stanmore’s skyline, character and quality of life.

Why we OBJECT: 

Stanmore’s character would be PERMANENTLY DAMAGED 

Stanmore is a suburban community, valued for its comparatively low-rise setting, green surroundings, village-like Broadway and neighbouring family homes. Five large blocks, including a 15-storey building would be visually intrusive, overbearing and completely out of keeping with the area.

LOSS OF PRIVACY, DAYLIGHT & OUTLOOK 

Large blocks close to existing homes would create overlooking into bedrooms, gardens and private living spaces. They could reduce daylight, sunlight and open-sky views, and create an oppressive sense of enclosure for surrounding residents.

No amount of landscaping can make an overbearing building acceptable where it damages neighbours’ privacy and everyday enjoyment of their homes.

TRAFFIC, PARKING & ROAD SAFETY WOULD WORSEN 

Vehicle access is proposed from Dennis Lane and Rainsford Close. The development would bring substantial additional movements from residents, visitors, taxis, deliveries, refuse vehicles, servicing, maintenance and construction traffic.

The developer proposes only around 20 resident parking spaces for 584 homes, while future residents would not qualify for on-street permits. This does not make the demand for vehicles disappear: it risks DISPLACING PARKING and CONGESTION into surrounding roads, affecting residents, shoppers, carers, deliveries and emergency access.

Public transport is not a limitless solution

Stanmore Underground station and local buses are already relied upon by existing residents. The site has a Public Transport Accessibility Level of only 2–3. Adding potentially hundreds of new households without guaranteed extra transport capacity would place further pressure on the Tube, buses and local roads.

LOCAL GP's, HOSPITALS, DENTISTS and SCHOOLS are already UNDER PRESSURE 

A development of this size would create significant additional demand for GP appointments, dental care, hospitals, schools, childcare, pharmacies and other essential services. No vague promise of “investment” is an acceptable substitute for a published, funded and legally binding infrastructure plan.

Stanmore should not be expected to absorb hundreds of additional homes while existing residents struggle to access basic services.

SAFETY, ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR and COMMUNITY COHESION 

High-density co-living, new public routes and increased day-and-evening activity require robust management, security, lighting, noise control, litter removal and enforcement. Without a fully funded, enforceable management plan, the scheme could increase pressure on local policing and create problems including noise, littering, vandalism and late-night disturbance.

This is not a judgement about future residents. It is a demand that the developer proves how a development of this intensity will be safely and responsibly managed.

FLOOD RISK, DRAINAGE, CONSTRUCTION POLLUTION and DISRUPTION 

Harrow’s adopted Local Plan identifies part of the Anmer Lodge site as being at high risk of surface-water flooding. The proposal must not increase flood risk for neighbouring streets or homes.

The developer anticipates phased construction from 2029 to 2033. Four years of heavy machinery, lorries, dust, vibration, noise, blocked access and disruption together with exhaust emissions from construction, delivery and servicing vehicles, would worsen local air quality. This may be particularly harmful for residents with asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions would seriously harm residents, local businesses and shoppers.

Unclear affordability and insufficient community benefit

The consultation refers to “affordable homes” but does not clearly state how many will be affordable, which tenures will be offered, who will qualify, or what the co-living rents and service charges will be.

Stanmore must not lose its character and liveability for a scheme whose public benefits remain vague and unguaranteed.

OUR DEMAND  & IMPORTANT PLANNING PROCESS CLARIFICATION 

At the time of this petition, no planning application has been submitted and the proposal is not yet before Harrow Council.
  
If an application is submitted, Harrow Council will initially act as the local planning authority. However, as this proposed scheme involves more than 50 homes, Harrow would be required to notify the Mayor of London if it were minded to refuse the application. 
 
The Mayor of London will then decide whether to call in and determine the application, it is subject to specific legal and planning tests. 

If the Mayor calls in the application, the Mayor and not Harrow Council would then become the planning authority and could either grant or refuse permission.  
This is why strong public awareness and documented local opposition are vital from the outset. Residents’ concerns must be heard at both Harrow Council and Mayoral level.

At this stage we call on Harrow Council to REFUSE the current Stanmore Gardens proposal whenever the application is raised. 

No future application should be approved unless it is radically reduced in height, massing and density; demonstrably protects privacy and daylight; and is supported by independently tested evidence on traffic, parking, transport, healthcare, schools, flood risk, drainage, safety and construction impacts.

We also demand independently verified, pedestrian-level “before and after” views from The Broadway, Dennis Lane, Coverdale Close, Rainsford Close, Stanmore Recreation Ground and other key local viewpoints.

Stanmore deserves regeneration that respects the community, not an overdevelopment that overwhelms it.

Sign this petition to protect Stanmore’s character, homes, roads, services and future.

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