Councillors postpone decision over scheme to build final replacement homes on Rayners Lane Estate

PLANS have been deferred to build the properties needed to rehouse the remaining tenants on the Rayners Lane Estate yet to get a new home.
The next stage of housing association Home's multi-million redevelopment of the borough's largest social housing estate, in South Harrow, comprises 135 homes and flats in Eliot Drive, Drinkwater Road and Coles Crescent lying in 2.4 of the 15.4 hectare estate.
They will replace 11 "poor quality" four-storey blocks of flats and two-storey terrace houses currently being demolished and will add to the 657 properties already built since 2001.
Harrow Council's planning committee was told in a report "the proposal would deliver a mix of large family houses and a smaller number of one and two bedroom flats to address the specific housing needs of the Rayners Lane Estate" but decided to postpone its decision until December at its meeting on
Families will be able to enjoy a new open space of approximately 1000 sq m that will
incorporate playgrounds specifically for 2 to 5 year olds and for 4 to 8 year olds, while 157 car parking spaces, new roads and courtyards are planned.
The replacement affordable housing is being part-funded by the private sale of some properties: in this case, 105 of the homes would be rented out by Home to existing tenants and 30 sold to generate revenue.
Due to the recession, Home has had to modify its initial masterplan and roll its fifth, sixth and eight proposed development phases into one in order to make a bid for funding from the Homes and Communities Agency that has been accepted in principle.
A Harrow Council spokeswoman said: "The items was deferred for a site visit. The committee have also asked to see some clearer drawings for what is a large and complex proposals in order to assist them in their consideration of the proposals."