What’s been happening with the North Harrow regeneration project?
Since the council began the project in December 2010:
* surveys of local traders and shoppers to work out their views and needs
* an investment guide for the commercial property market, helping agents to market empty properties
* a ‘fake shop’ set up near North Harrow tube station, covered in regional television and the national press
* a range of GLA-funded business support programmes promoted to local businesses
* businesses provided with access to finance and helped to reduce their energy costs
* revival of the North Harrow Traders Association
* a wider partnership with representatives from the Police, local schools, traders association, Headstone Residents’ Association and ward councillors to discuss and create the regeneration plans
* a new Town Centre Manager (Rachel Jenman)
* a successful bid for funding from Round One of the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund (OLF)
* the Traders Association’s successful late night shopping event on 31 October, supported by local schools, churches and businesses
* festive lights and planters to brighten the shopping area
* at the request of traders, a plan for new car parking bays near North Harrow tube station
In progress:
* a Christmas shopping event for Saturday 10 December
* new community notice boards
* a North Harrow town centre website
* a North Harrow business directory
* another promotional shopping event for the spring
The bid for funding from Round Two of the OLF was submitted in mid-November; we should know the results before Christmas. As part of this bid, the council is preparing a Local Development Order: under the Planning and Compulsory Order Act 2004, this allows councils to extend permitted development rights (i.e. not needing planning permission) in specified ways to suit local circumstances. For North Harrow, the council would like to relax the rules for Change of Use of business premises. They are looking for daytime activities – not hot food outlets but more retail, professional services, cafes, restaurants and certain types of office space. The draft report is to go to the Planning Committee in December. It can be a lengthy process; the plan may have to be submitted to the Secretary of State for ratification.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 November 2011 13:19
