BIG magazine issue 5

Connecting lives

Celebrating heritage

New models and priorities for housebuilding

pride in the past, reviving historic harrow

Bu i l d / I n n o v a t e / Gr o w Ha r r o w ISSUE 5

We’re looking for land in London and the South East • All sites considered, with or without planning • Access to the main board directors • Substantial funds immediately available • Purchasing decisions are made quickly • Generous agent’s introductory fees paid For further information please email Nicholas Dulcken at nick.dulcken@fairview.co.uk or Richard Paterson at richard.paterson@fairview.co.uk. Alternatively call 020 8366 1271.

50 Lancaster Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 0BY. DX: 90635 ENFIELD www.fairviewnewhomes.co.uk

Contents

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news Collaboration, design

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business Innovative ways

and development: the latest stories from Harrow's continuing programme of regeneration.

of supporting burgeoning businesses are paying dividends for the borough's entrepreneurs.

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culture From a manor

house dating back around 1,200 years, to Bollywood dancing, Harrow has a varied cultural offer, attracting a diverse crowd.

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regeneration Plans are

progressing on two major schemes: Byron Quarter and Poets' Corner, with a focus on design.

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map What is happening – and

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projects How much progress

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housing Could a new Build-

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markets Harrow in numbers:

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sitematch Harrow's head of

where? Mapping out Harrow's key development sites.

has been made on major schemes – planned and under way.

to-Rent model benefit both homebuyers and developers?

the facts and figures show why Harrow is an investment hotspot.

regeneration and design, Tobias Goevert, takes part in a Q&A about a major opportunity site.

Editor Debbie Ashford Editor-in-Chief James Renoux-Wood Design Kate Harkus Production manager Christopher Hazeldine Editorial assistants Tilly Shenstone, Mia Wicks News and web editor Natalie Vincent Business development director Paul Gussar Business development manager Harry Seal Project manager Sue Mapara Subscriptions manager Simon Maxwell Managing director Toby Fox Cover image Poets Corner by Stephen Taylor Architects, Allies and Morrison, and Sergison Bates Images Leo Williams / Greystar, Duncan Shields, Dermot Carlin, Sanjay D Gohil, Harrow Council, Stephen Taylor Architects, Allies and Morrison, Sergison Bates, Karakusevic Carson Architects, Duggan Morris, Printed by Park Communications Published by 3Fox International, Sunley House, Bedford Park, Croydon CR0 2AP T 020 7978 6840 W 3foxinternational.com Subscriptions & feedback bigharrow.com © 2017 3Fox International Limited. All material is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of 3Fox International Ltd is strictly forbidden. The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine at time of going to press, but we accept no responsibility for omissions or errors. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of 3Fox International Ltd.

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News

News

� youth group’s bench mark for new square A group of 17 and 18-year-olds are designing and making public furniture for Wealdstone Square, as part of plans for the town centre.

They have co-designed different pieces of furniture and taken it to the public for their feedback after developing concepts through workshops organised by regeneration agency Spacemakers and designer Silo.

Matt Weston, director of Spacemakers, says: “The young people will be paid a small stipend (£500) for taking part, and they will also receive a share of any intellectual property created.

“Our ambition is to create a final piece of sellable furniture, by Wealdstone, for Wealdstone. This will be used across the

town centre, to help change perceptions of young people and the area itself.”

The Wealdstone Youth Workshop is part of a wider project by Harrow Council to create a new public space at the centre of Wealdstone to bring the community together. The project is led by We Made That, which is consulting local people about their suggestions.

you’re hired The 500th apprentice has been recruited through Harrow Council’s Xcite employment scheme.

gym, I knew the fitness industry is where I wanted to be. I just needed a little help and guidance.

The Xcite scheme has been helping to support people trying to find work since 2009.

Stevie Barrow joined Harrow Leisure Centre as a fitness instructor apprentice and is set to study a business course to develop her career in personal training. She said: “After gaining some experience in my local

“The Xcite team were so helpful and after speaking to them I realised an apprenticeship was what I was looking for, as you get stuck in and can actually apply the new skills you’ve learned so it’s easier to understand.”

It received a newly established Place West London Award earlier this year, which recognises excellence and innovation in economic development and regeneration across the West London region.

harrow will be better by design Harrow Council has set up a panel of experts to help ensure buildings planned in the borough’s redevelopment programme are designed to the highest standards.

The Design Review Panel includes 50 experts from the fields of architecture, planning, engineering and development and will meet every month to examine significant schemes put forward in Harrow, both before and after they are submitted for planning permission.

The group held its first meeting at the Royal College of Art, hosted by the Architecture Foundation and chaired by its director Ellis Woodman. London architects Fiona Scott, Mark Tuff and Judith Loesing presented their visions

to an audience of developers and partners, councillors and local people engaged in the borough’s Residents’ Regeneration Panel.

Neil Deely, partner at Metropolitan Workshop and one of three monthly panel chairs, said: “Having grown up in Harrow, I am excited to be in a position to ensure new development is of the highest quality and delivers better-designed buildings with the right facilities to grow communities.”

The panel will support the council’s ambitions for the borough’s £1.75 billion Building a Better Harrow programme. Its remit includes design and skills training for council officers and members, along with a refresh of Harrow’s existing design guidance and policy.

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headstone tells harrow’s story For the first time, people will be able to visit all four of the historic buildings at Headstone Manor and Museum when it re-opens its doors on Saturday 2 December 2017.

Repairs to the Grade 1-listed medieval manor house, the small barn and granary, mean visitors can explore 1,200 years of history in Harrow.

Factory and a stained glass window created by students from Harrow College and volunteers who have been curating the worldrenowned collection.

This ancient site has been transformed, allowing visitors to explore the restored buildings and the museum treasures inside.

The Great Barn is now a popular venue for weddings and events. There is also a new display about the Whitefriars Glass

The launch and frost fair take place on 2 and 3 December and will include music, performances, stalls and festive food.

News

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stanmore marsh brought back to life Restored meadows, wildflowers and a pond greeted visitors to Stanmore Marsh when it officially opened after a two-year renovation.

Around 120 people thronged the Marsh Lane venue once known as Toad Pond, to take part in river dipping, a nature walk and to witness the cutting of the pink sash ribbon – hung between two garden forks – by Harrow’s Mayor, Councillor Margaret Davine.

The four-hectare site on Marsh Lane has been re-landscaped and the river brought out of its concrete channel so it can weave across the historic wetland site. The former pond had dried up and the site was no longer acting as a green sponge, increasing the chances of flooding.

The project has created 400m of new footpath and 400sq m of wetland, providing 3,150sq

m of additional flood storage, slightly larger than an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Small wetlands and ditches have also been restored.

Waterways charity Thames21, which worked with the council, Thames Water and the Greater London Authority on the project, is helping to establish a Friends of Stanmore Marsh group to champion and continue upkeep of the space.

residents’ love triangle London Business Partnership, working with Young Harrow Foundation, Harrow Council and a group of residents, shoppers and commuters have raised the required money through crowdfunding to renew the public space outside Rayners Lane station.

Financial support from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and around

50 residents and businesses in Rayners Lane pleged financial support for the project to go ahead.

The project will create a garden triangle, which will feature new paving, lighting and seating, as well as a permanent structure for hosting activities, including showcasing new business products and community events.

Local people hope it will transform the neglected space to bring back a sense of identity to the area and continue the momentum already underway to encourage entrepreneurship.

The enthusiasts have worked with architect DK-CM on the design of a masterplan with funding provided from Harrow Council and businesses based in the borough.

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS AT STANMORE PLACE

www.stanmoreplace.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

S

t Edward bought Stanmore Place in 2006. It was formerly a DVLA test and driving centre; cut-off, underutilised and offering little benefit to the local community.

Since then, it has been transformed into nearly 800 homes including 259 affordable homes, a crèche, community space and commercial buildings with space for up to 600 employees. All of this, alongside an investment in the community of over £1.4 million.

The homes are set in an award-winning landscape featuring a lake, cycle paths and children’s play area. Each phase of the development is royally themed to reflect the area’s local history with the Lords of Stanmore.

But Stanmore is renowned for more than just its physical fabric. Over the last eleven years, it has become a model for how to develop a strong community in a new development.

Photography depicts lifestyle and is indicative only.

The local neighbourhood has been brought together with street parties, photography competitions, Parents Club, running club, monthly Senior Citizen Bake & Bring club and cycle awareness days.

St Edward is dedicated to making sure this continues for many decades to come, leading with the idea that placemaking is about people, identity, amenity and atmosphere. It has worked with local neighbours to create a Community Plan which can help ensure the community is self-sustaining.

If you would like to find out more about why Stanmore place has been a success please contact: Tom.Pocock@BerkeleyGroup.co.uk.

Business

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Happy returns SUPPORT FOR THE LOCAL WORKFORCE IS STARTING TO PAY DIVIDENDS FOR HARROW’S ECONOMY

Words James Cracknell

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n its website Harrow Council boasts that it is ‘the best borough for business in London’. This is a bold claim to make, but is certainly not one that’s just been plucked from thin air.

In its annual review for the past financial year, the council’s Enterprise Unit – whose existence itself is an indicator of the value placed on the local economy – reels off an impressive list of facts and stats to back up the ‘best in London’ pronouncement.

Clockwise: Full Stop Beauty, A Slice of Nice and London Bin Cleaning have all benefited from Harrow’s business support services.

Highlights between 2016 and 2017 include 272 young people supported into jobs and apprenticeships; 333 unemployed residents helped back into work; 126 people gaining sustainable employment of at least a year; 106 businesses reporting improved performance; and the creation of 36 new selfemployed jobs.

The proactive approach taken by the team to supporting local business has helped trigger

a dramatic fall in the numbers of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) over the past six years. The number of JSA claimants dropped from 4,432 in 2010/11 to 1,845 in 2016/17, a fall of nearly 60%. The rate also compares well against the London average, with the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showing a 0.9% rate in Harrow against 1.2% across the city as a whole.

But how has this been achieved? Paul Dukes, the area business manager for Barclays in Harrow, has been working closely with the council and believes the new wave of local construction has had a big impact. He tells BIG: “There has been an increase in development across the borough. I have been working with the economic regeneration team at the council, which has been supporting the SME community. ”Business start-up figures are strong yearon-year and in my opinion, this is likely to continue with the increase in population in

the manufacturing sector has seen the largest increase in business turnover

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Business

Clockwise: Full Stop Beauty, made-up by help for entrepreneurs; London Bin Cleaning won 2017’s Harrow Business Den award; A Slice of Nice took the prize in 2015.

the area and with the continued development.

Lending to our clients continues to be strong.

Our “insights” report interestingly shows that the manufacturing sector has seen the largest increase in business turnover: a 16% increase when compared to last year.”

In fact, manufacturing and construction industries in Harrow are significantly larger than those in other London boroughs. As a proportion of the borough’s workforce, 3.2% are employed in manufacturing, compared to 2.3% in London as a whole, while 5.7% work in construction compared to 2.8% in London, according to the ONS.

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The Enterprise Unit, part of the council’s regeneration, enterprise and planning department, has for the past four years organised an annual competition for local small businesses and entrepreneurs called Harrow Business Den. Modelled on the popular BBC television show Dragon’s Den, Harrow Business Den has since 2014 offered a package of support including temporary office space, business mentoring, marketing and budget advice to winners chosen by a panel of industry experts.

The competition is one of the more obvious ways the council has promoted Harrow as a ‘business friendly borough’. This year’s winner is London Bin Cleaning, established in 2012 by Conan Sammon while he studied business economics at Reading University. The company began with investment of £250, but has now grown from a man-and-van set up to a business turning over six figures annually and employing several staff.

Its range of services now includes domestic and commercial bin cleaning, disinfection of

driveways and patios, roof and gutter cleaning, and chewing gum and graffiti removal.

Sammon says: “The Harrow economy is booming, and I’d say Harrow is definitely one of, if not the best place, for a business to locate. Personally, we have received so much support from Harrow Council and we are really grateful for their help. It really is a fantastic borough to be part of.”

This support included funding Sammon’s business management diploma, free mentoring, costs towards attending seminars and invitations to council networking events.

Former winner Donna Williams, owner of bespoke cake business A Slice of Nice, agrees that the support she received has been invaluable. As well as novelty baking, the firm works closely with children that have been excluded from school or are at risk of exclusion, tailoring cake decorating courses to the needs of individual pupils and where necessary the wider school.

Williams tells BIG: “We were the proud winners of Harrow Business Den in 2015

harrow is one of, if not the best place, for a business to relocate

with volunteer business mentors and currently being run by the London Business Partnership on behalf of the council. Now in its third year, Mentoring Harrow is open to local entrepreneurs whose business must have been trading less than five years.

So far the programme has helped mentor 140 business owners, of which 40 were startups, as well as directly advising 15 people on how to start up their own business and placing 20 entrepreneurs to work with volunteer business mentors.

and also received an award in the community investment category of the West London Business Awards in 2016.

“The business has gone from strength to strength and the support from Harrow Council has been of vital importance. My vision has always been to open our classes to the local community which would allow all ages and social groups to access a new skill and build positive relationships.

“This has now happened with the launch of Harrow Cookery School in May this year, offering cake decorating and baking classes to both adults and children.

“I believe the business resources, support and knowledge from the council are the driving force behind many small businesses in the area. My long-term goal is to offer apprenticeships and create jobs within my company that will in turn help to boost and support the local economy.”

Another scheme to promote the growth of small businesses is Mentoring Harrow, a programme matching local entrepreneurs

my long-term goal is to offer apprenticeships and create jobs

One firm to have benefited from Mentoring Harrow is Full Stop Beauty, set up by Huong Nyguen three years ago. Nyguen, a qualified massage therapist, operates a ‘one-stop-shop’ beauty business offering grooming and spa treatments. The advice she received helped her tackle issues such as managing growth, marketing, recruitment, and finding new premises.

Nyguen initially started with one room but has now expanded into renting four rooms and has increased turnover by more than 10%. She is also recruiting a manager and aims to double the size of the business.

She says: “I felt privileged being part of Mentoring Harrow. My mentor helped me set achievable goals, helping me identify as well as overcome barriers.

“It has not only helped me with expert advice but also got me involved in networking with other like-minded entrepreneurs. They also gave me the confidence to discuss and successfully negotiate a deal with a potential investor to fund our expansion by securing our own premises. I hope one day that I can return the favour and support other new businesses in the future.”

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Invest Bromley

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Issue 4 Autumn 2016

Ready for take-off

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Issue 6 2017

1 Plans are currently in place for residents’ gym. Travel times taken from TfL. Help to Buy is a Government-backed initiative in partnership with housebuilders. Available on selected plots, subject to status, terms and conditions. Help to Buy cannot be used in conjunction with any other scheme. It is highly advised, for a swift, smooth transaction that an IFA/Solicitor advised by Redrow Homes is used. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other Redrow offer.

CGI image is indicative only. Prices correct at time of going to press. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Check that this mortgage will meet your needs if you want to move or sell your home or you want your family to inherit it. If you are in any doubt, seek independent advice.

issue 7 2016

With a quarter of a million HELP TO BUY NOW AVAILABLE ON SELECTED PLOTS homes to build by 2035, London is moving east WWW.LYONSQUARE.CO.UK

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Come together Partners in the private and public sectors working to deliver benefits for communities

See Emily play Not just for kids – facilities in parks and open spaces keep adults fit and healthy too

Let’s dance Live music is thriving in Southwark’s established venues, with new kids arriving on the block

Skills to pay the bills Employment rates are rising, as residents take up opportunities to gain the skills for employment

This must be the place Canada Water, Nunhead, Elephant Park and St Mary’s Quarter – new places in development

hi-tech city ◆ rail in 175 years ◆ supply c

Issue 17 Summer 2017

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Culture

Then and now A SENSE OF THE PAST IS A NATURAL ANCHOR FOR HARROW’S FUTURE GROWTH

Words Debbie Ashford

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Culture

Below: The lake at Headstone Manor and Museum adds to the ambiance and tranquility of the grounds, which date back to AD825.

W

hen the doors open on the newly restored Headstone Manor Museum in December, visitors will for the first time see all four historic buildings brought back to life – giving a unique insight into how people lived up to 1,200 years ago.

The complete re-opening of the site, encompassing the manor house, two barns and the granary, as well as new landscaping in peaceful grounds, will bring the borough’s history right up-to-date. The manor house is itself Grade 1-listed and is surrounded by the only surviving filled moat in Middlesex.

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The preserved buildings also provide a modern home for Harrow’s local history museum.

Visitors can experience new galleries full of stories, objects, films and hands-on activities that tell the history of Harrow through the eyes of Headstone’s historic residents.

“Headstone Manor and Museum is a nationally significant heritage site that dates back to the Domesday Book and quite likely before,” says Jo Saunders, heritage and museum manager.

“The Manor House, originally constructed in 1310, has witnessed first-hand the effects of the Tudor Reformation, the foundation of Harrow School, the Civil War, the arrival of the railways and the building of Metroland, all of which have created the Harrow that we know today. The story of Headstone is the story of Harrow.”

Restoration of the complex became possible with an award of £3.6 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, in addition to £1 million from Harrow Council and £270,000 from the John Lyon’s Trust.

The timber-framed Great Barn, built to

many people don't realise what's here or how significant this site is

impress in 1506, was restored in 2015 and is already in demand as an event venue, hosting up to 50 events this year. A new visitor centre and cafe, designed to reflect the historic agricultural buildings on the site, opened in April 2017. In the future, the council hopes to succeed in applying for £1.38 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to improve Headstone Manor Recreation Ground, including the moat and historic ponds.

Saunders adds: “Many local people don’t realise what’s here or how significant this site is in English history. They will be able to connect with the story of this community.

Schools will use the dedicated learning centre in our 18th century granary and families can enjoy the activities at weekends.

“But the story doesn’t end there. We are keen to hear from the people of Harrow today so we have included opportunities at the museum to ‘add your story’ and help us capture a representation of 21st century Harrow.”

Below: The Moat Café at Headstone Manor is open from 8:30am until 4:30pm daily and serves coffee, cakes, paninis and other hot snacks.

Harrow resident, Gabi Ottos, has seen the restoration unfold as a dedicated volunteer on the board that has overseen the project. He is also a member of Harrow Heritage Trust, which helps protect and preserve historic buildings and open spaces.

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He is convinced that understanding the past enhances today’s quality of life: “Life would be poorer without history. New buildings and developments can be seen as soulless and with all the building taking place in Harrow, our rich history is worth saving more than ever. The old gives identity and character to the new.”

Already the past has turned into reality for over 100 local 14 to 24 year-olds who are involved in the Whitefriars Young Roots Project, supported by a £49,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Students from Harrow College and volunteers are recording the enormous importance the

i hope the final display in the museum will give a sense of identity and pride in the area

Culture

Whitefriars glass factory played in Harrow’s recent history. The factory was a worldrenowned leader in glass manufacture and design, and a major employer in the area after it moved from central London in the 1920s.

Whitefriars glass can be found in Liverpool Cathedral, New York, a palace in Nepal and is sought by collectors all over the world.

Working under the guidance of the factory’s last chief designer and manager of the Stained Glass Studios, Alf Fisher OBE, the students have created a stunning large stained glass window that will be on prominent display in the museum, depicting the story of Harrow.

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The students have also been working with the Museum of London and the Corning Museum in New York, learning how to curate and care for the range of artefacts, build up social historical records by interviewing previous employees and creating a website that will allow worldwide access to the collection.

Project coordinator, Hailey Baxter, expects people to be coming from the rest of the country, if not the world, to view the collection.

She says: “This project has given so much to those involved, but I hope the final display in the museum will inspire many more and give a sense of identity and pride in the area.”

Another venture is attracting visitors into the area. The Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner Memorial Park opened last year and was the first purpose-built museum built in Greater London for over 40 years. It houses an impressive collection, chronicling the life and work of the illustrator who lived in the area from 1908-1918.

Since opening in October 2016, the striking, modern building has been attracting a steady

we are successful because we are passionate about what we do and we keep moving

dream sequence As well as attracting people into an area, cultural activities can create a sense of identity and belonging. Sapnay School of Dance has been bringing the glitz and flair of Bollywood into the everyday lives of people for 13 years.

It is transferring the creative skills and craft from the Indian diaspora to new generations, as well as helping bring people together.

The school, which teaches Bollywood, Bhangra, hip-hop and street dance, is notching up an impressive list of firsts and successes.

It won the first ever UK Bollywood Dance Champions contest, was the Guinness World Record Holder for holding the largest dance class in Trafalgar Square; it was semi finalist on Sky1’s largest dance show Got to Dance, and also made the semi finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. The troupe is in great demand for TV, festival and gala appearances.

Ash Oberoi, who set up the school, puts the success down to passion. She had nursed the dream of opening a school for 13 years before establishing it: sapnay means 'dream' in Hindi. She says: “We help people fulfil their dreams and bring people together. They discover talents they might not know about or a love for music and dance.”

The classes are open to everyone from the age of three-and-a-half years and are held during school-term times at two studios, at Harrow High School and

Below: Sapnay School of Dance in Harrow has appeared on national television and students at the facility can learn a variety of Bollywood dance techniques and skills.

“We are successful because we are passionate about what we do and we keep moving forward,” says Oberoi. “We are offering culture, the social side and activities that communities can get involved in, as well as helping people keep fit. Everyone is welcome - some people come from quite far away.”

On the business side, Sapnay provides music and dance performances for corporate events, weddings, Bollywood and hip-hop-themed parties and customised workshops.

Oberoi adds: “We are creating work through the shows we put on. We have an effective network with many businesses in the area or through parents just talking to each other.

We bring people together economically and culturally.”

Her daughter Prabhleen is also a talented professional dancer and is following in her mother’s footsteps as head choreographer staging shows and events, at the same time as studying at the London School of Economics. She says: “We offer authentic Indian dancing with a modern vibe. It keeps British-born people in touch with their culture but it fits in with their lifestyle and gives them a sense of identity.

Better Gym in St. George’s Centre, as well as in Northwood and Kenton.

The higher level and teaching classes attract students from areas far beyond the Harrow area.

The school puts on an ambitious production every other year at professional theatres, involving up to 300 students, relying heavily on support from previous students and parents volunteering to help run it.

we have an effective network with many businesses in the area

“The older generations love it to so we are connecting young and old. With these dance styles getting more mainstream – we see them in many shows and on TV now – artists can look to role models and see that there are possibilities for future careers. We are combining two worlds.

It really is east meets west.”

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Culture

stream of visitors from far and wide. They have numbered an average of 500 per month during its Thursday to Sunday opening hours, peaking at 100 on one day.

The museum has a rolling programme of themed exhibitions and a comprehensive programme of learning and activities for children and families. The shop sells a selection of items designed and handmade by acclaimed, locally based artisans.

The Museum Trust chairman, Cynthia Wells, says: “Visitor numbers have continued to exceed our expectations and we are greatly encouraged by the number of younger people coming, both from word-of-mouth recommendation and social media channels.”

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Similarly, Arc House and its surrounding landscaped park have turned a disused and neglected space into a popular attraction for residents visiting the performance space or cafe, or attending the busy programme of outdoor events from concerts to theatre.

Urban designers are increasingly aware of the importance of art and culture and are incorporating heritage features in many developments with the aim of avoiding that ‘you could be anywhere’ anonymity new streets and buildings can have. Architects and planners are even embracing street art, considered by some to be one step away from graffiti, to give buildings and areas a distinctive feel.

In

a time of rapid development in Harrow – last year only six other London boroughs built more homes – the council is keen

to root its future in the past and cement a sense of identity in neighbourhoods. One of the major considerations in the Wealdstone project, where the new civic centre site will be, is that the buildings are to be a focus for the community and create cultural opportunities.

The council has worked closely to develop ideas with Studio Tilt along with architects Gort Scott and Allies and Morrison to rethink how the new building can accommodate different demands from communities and businesses.

As part of the overall development, the council is planning to build a Hindu temple to relocate the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, which has outgrown its current home. The centre offers a range of activities and works with other faith organisations, charities and the council.

A new square will feature opposite the civic centre, doubling the amount of public space available for community events such as festivals and markets. Architect We Made That is working closely with local people and students in shaping its design and use.

Harrow Square, the multimillion pound development creating a new town centre on the site of the old post sorting office, will incorporate a central public square and a new 1,450sq m library. The purpose-built library will be on one level and feature a separate pavilion set in the garden area. It will act as a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions and cultural activities, with rooms offering flexible use for the community.

Later this year, Harrow Council is unveiling its arts and cultural strategy, setting out how these elements will be considered when

inspiring design should be embedded in the public realm and street culture

Below, left to right: The Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner celebrates the life and work of the illustrator who once lived in Harrow; A band performs at the Harrow Arts Centre.

designing and building new developments to help make Harrow an exciting destination.

The council is also looking at ways to secure and sustain the future of the valued Harrow Arts Centre, which hosts cultural activities.

“A quirky bridge, striking lamp posts, empty buildings: they can all give character and distinction to an area,” says Simon Baxter, the council’s lead on arts and culture. “It’s not just about the performing arts, inspiring design should be embedded in the public realm and street culture.”

He cites the cachet that initially controversial street bollards designed by Anthony Gormley brought to a little known area of Peckham in south London, which has now become a fashionable area where homes are in high demand.

“Interesting historical features can give a sense of where you are and tell us why Harrow

our strategy will help developers think of places as a destination at an early

is the place it is today,” says Baxter. “They can encourage more use of public spaces, which should be safe, exciting places that people want to be in. And these attract visitors who spend money in local shops and help support local businesses.

“Our strategy will help developers think of places as a destination at an early stage. We want them to think about Harrow’s rich history and diversity and build these into their concepts.”

Harrow may not plump for phallic-shaped bollards mooted in Peckham but it has vast potential to mine past treasures to give a unique identity to the future.

Gabi Ottos sums it up neatly: “If you appreciate the old, you are more likely to appreciate the new and the environment around you. A place without heritage is like a person without memory: it’s what makes us what we are.”

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H A RROW MEANS BUSINESS

Hatch End

Headstone Lane Waxwell Lane

“Great things are happening in Harrow, and you can be part of it. Building a Better Harrow is transforming our borough, creating new homes for our families and workplaces and spaces for the 21st century. We understand that new communities need new opportunities and jobs just as much as they need homes and schools.

We’re already the most business-friendly borough in London – and whether you’re an entrepreneur or a multi-national, there’s something for you here in Harrow. Come and join us!”

Councillor Sachin Shah Leader of Harrow Council

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Harrow

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Harrow Council Projects Private Sector Projects

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Harrow Arts Centre

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Canons Park

Artisan Place Haslam House

New Civic Centre Palmerstone Rd Harrow View

Queensbury

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Harrow & Wealdstone

20 minutes to Baker Street

Byron Quarter

Poets’ Corner t

Greenhill Way Lyon Rd College Rd Vaughan Rd

Harrowon-the-Hill

Cumberland Hotel

Kenton

Gayton Rd Northwick Park

20 minutes to Baker Street 14 minutes to London Euston

Grange Farm

Roxeth Library t

We’re Building Lives Less Ordinary At Willmott Dixon Construction we believe it is our responsibility to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. That’s why every project we take on has to deliver a positive and memorable impact.

20 year old Harrow Resident Tristan Wells met Willmott Dixon’s Community Engagement Manager, Stephanie Hensman, in his interview for an apprenticeship role with one of our landscape subcontractors.

Tristan showed himself to be an outstanding candidate for the landscaping apprenticeship and was referred for a second interview.

While completing three years of training at college in general construction and plumbing, Tristan was gaining experience as a selfemployed plumbers mate as well as pursuing a hobby as a light and sound technician at weekends.

Wilmott Dixon is, truly, a company that is genuinely interested in its position as an integral part of the community.

Norma Green, Chair of the Yes Partnership

Pictured above l-r: Construction Manager Andy Beck with Tristan Wells

Due to this self-starter approach to life, ability to make himself part of the team and ambition, he was offered the role of Landscaping Apprentice in September. He has now been signed up with local Apprentice Training Agency KEITS to complete his Level 2 Horticulture qualification.

Our relationship with Harrow began in autumn 2015 with one of four primary schools we are building in the area. We are committed to being a part of more stories, just like Tristan’s, as we continue to work in the community and for years to come.

£2.1m

£2.1 million community investment last year.

55,000

55,000 hours of staff time invested in the community.

4,586

Made a difference to the life chances of 4,586 young people last year.

In Harrow... training 540 Short courses workshop 436 School places school 1090 New places created 98%

Waste diverted from landfill

Willmott Dixon @WillmottDixon

www.willmottdixon.co.uk

Pictured right: Longfield School

Regeneration

Points of view COMMUNICATION GETS TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER IN THE PROGRESS OF TWO MAJOR RENEWAL SCHEMES

Words Pamela Buxton

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esidents have been giving their views on two of Harrow’s flagship regeneration projects: the Poets’ Corner redevelopment of the civic centre site and Byron Quarter, a major new community at Byron Park.

Architects have been sharing plans with the community and interested parties to give people a chance to find out what is planned and can make their views known while designs are still being formulated.

Consultation is a crucial stage in any major project. The best chance of getting a scheme accepted and approved is working with the community, who can give valuable insight into what could work in the area.

It’s a process that takes time. Engagement consultant The Means has organised an extensive programme of community consultation on behalf of Harrow Council on both Poets’ Corner and Byron Quarter. With both of these key projects departing from the traditional lowscale ‘Metroland’ housing

that people are used to in the borough, it’s perhaps no surprise that they have attracted considerable local interest.

“Our role is providing the bridge between the different groups, not just the businesses and residents, but others such as religious and special interest groups,” says The Means project coordinator Hajir Kheder.

“We look to see where people can contribute meaningful input.

“Getting the community involved is really important. You do get a lot of insight that you wouldn’t get without a certain level of consultation. And building a picture of the kind of neighbourhood people want to see is one of the most valuable things coming out of the consultations.”

And while communicating the projects to the community can be a very complex business, creating a dialogue between the council and residents has benefits that can extend far beyond the initial planning process.

Regeneration

Top to bottom: The Stephen Taylor Architects-led design team will prioritise open spaces and buildings will feature exposed beams at the Poets’ Corner scheme in Wealdstone.

poets’ corner A completely new quarter for Harrow is set to rise from the 4.6-ha site of the current civic centre when the council relocates to a new, purpose-built facility in Wealdstone in 2020. The development will provide 900 new homes along with a school, workspace, retail and public realm.

A design team – with members from Stephen Taylor Architects, Allies and Morrison and Sergison Bates Architects – is formulating a masterplan for the whole site and a detailed design for phase one of the development.

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The five-building initial phase will provide 400 homes, office space, new shops and a new civic space. “We like the idea of creating a place that feels distinct when you enter it,” says architect Aaron English of Stephen Taylor Architects. “It’s about getting the right balance of consistency and variation.”

The design approach for Poets’ Corner is for intimate streets with development of around six storeys in height, dipping as low as three on the southern and western boundaries and rising up at key points to 14 storeys, along gateway sites such as the north-west corner, close to the railway station.

Extensive use of brick on the new buildings matches others in the local area.

As the design team fine-tunes the proposals for the planning applications, it will draw on the outcome of extensive consultations delivered with the assistance of engagement specialist The Means. The consultants interviewed 100 residents and 50 businesses and staged four exhibitions, as well as many other events and workshops. Responses to the

initial designs have been broadly supportive says English, who feels the consultation has been a valuable part of the design process, providing an opportunity to understand what people wanted to see.

“Certainly I’ve worked on projects where the client hasn’t fully engaged and the consultation hasn’t been wholehearted. But Harrow has tried very hard to make it fun and engaging,” he says.

Attendance at the meetings dwindled from around 100 to 20 during the course of the consultation process – a positive sign according to English, as it suggests acceptance, rather than opposition to the project. One factor may have been the relatively small number of people who live close to the site.

“As architects, we’re reassured by the acceptance of the ideas so far. The masterplan is based on the creation of intimate, walkable streets and although it is markedly different in scale and density, it seems to have been accepted,” he says.

“It has been a successful process,” agrees Harrow Council project manager Anna Guelzow, adding that consultation gave the opportunity to not only get closer to what people might like to have, but also helped communicate the rationale and limitations behind the scheme.

Consultation revealed little attachment to the 1970s civic centre building itself, which the design team had at one point considered retaining and converting to new uses.

The strongest concerns were over parking

the masterplan is based on the creation of intimate, walkable streets

Pictured: Homes will benefit from balconies and open spaces (below left) and smart brick-clad exteriors (below) will match other buildings in the area.

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provision, given that the current site includes extensive car parking.

The consultation responses to the design are being taken on board as the team finalises the scheme for the planning applications. “We have responded to criticism and it has shaped our plans,” says English.

This is particularly the case on the western

boundary of the site, where the height of development has been reduced in response to concerns over the scale of the new buildings.

Stephen Taylor Architects hopes to submit the planning applications by the end of the year, with a view to starting on-site, pending approval, the following year. There will be a separate application for the outline masterplan design of phase two.

as architects, we’re reassured by the acceptance of the ideas so far

Regeneration

byron quarter The major redevelopment of Harrow Leisure Centre and its environs is at an earlier stage than Poets’ Corner, but attracting a level of interest to be expected at this time. The scheme will create a leisure and residential quarter on the edge of Byron Recreation Ground; sports facilities will be re-built and exapnded and the park will be improved.

Initial designs by Karakusevic Carson Architects, in collaboration with Gort Scott Architects, Duggan Morris Architects, Periscope and Mark Projects, propose buildings mainly three to six storeys in height, with two taller elements towards the park at eight and 10 storeys. It will provide 820 homes, including homes for sale, rent and affordable housing targeted at local need.

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Consultation is considered vital to try to accommodate as many views and needs of people affected by the scheme. The Means interviewed 100 local residents in a doorto-door survey as well as holding two public consultation events. As the leisure centre has more than 6,000 members, sessions with user groups have helped define the mix of facilities and workshops with the leisure operator have been vital in developing the design and arrangements.

The engagement has allowed the design team to build relationships from the earliest stages and develop proposals that incorporate the aspirations of those who will use the site, according to Maurizio Biadene, an associate at Karakusevic Carson Architects.

“We believe that the level of trust and interaction that forms the basis of a successful consultation can best be achieved through

the direct involvement of the team which is producing the work.

“This direct link is reciprocal. Users and stakeholders benefit from the in-depth knowledge and commitment of those developing the project, and the design team from direct experience and listening,” he says.

The architects have listened to concerns about safety and security in and around the park. As a result, the arrangement of buildings will make the most of their park-front location.

Feedback on plans for the leisure centre has been particularly valuable, informing the decision to provide a new, larger 12-court sports hall and a publicly accessible park-front cafe, as well as a 1,800-person capacity Byron Hall and a new enlarged Harrow School of Gymnastics, catering to long waiting lists.

Users of the locally listed skate park, which is being retained, have also contributed views

users and stakeholders benefit from the in-depth knowledge

Clockwise: A swimming pool will be retained in the new leisure centre at Byron Quarter; the scheme will make use of open spaces; a 3D model of the planned project.

about renovation plans for the facility, which is one of only a few of its kind in the UK.

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As a key regeneration site within Harrow, Byron Quarter is earmarked for much-needed housing and there is an opportunity to build a ‘leisure-led’ neighbourhood on the edge of Byron Recreation Ground, close to the station and Wealdstone High Street. This will fund the development of a new flagship leisure centre and significant park improvements.

As the scheme will deliver a denser level of development, this change of scale has prompted some strong reactions.

“Responses from two public consultations have been largely positive,” says Biadene.

“However, the change in density from the historically lower-rise suburban grain will take time to become accepted.

“The design team has been working hard to knit the new development into the

surrounding context, with a gradual increase in scale from the neighbouring properties.”

With consultation ongoing, the plans are yet to be finalised. A detailed planning application for the first phase of housing and an outline application for the masterplan to the planning authorities are scheduled later this year.

responses from two public consultations have been largely positive

Map watford heath

Locations WHAT'S HAPPENING AND WHERE? THE LOCATIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT SITES FEATURED IN BIG

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featured projects

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Lyon Square Wealdstone project Lexicon (Gayton Road) Grange Farm Harrow Square Vaughan Road Harrow View Whitefriars Studios

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Artisan Place Byron Quarter Northolt Road Cumberland Hotel Palmerston Road Kings House and Queens House Anmer Lodge Caulfield Gardens Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Harrow School Poets' Corner (Civic Centre) Greenhill Way Haslam House Stanmore Place Harrow Arts Centre Waxwell Lane

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additional opportunity sites

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Projects

Projects ��

PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON THE BOROUGH’S MAJOR SCHEMES

Words Debbie Ashford

the wealdstone project The development that will give Harrow Council a new home, provide local people with new community facilities and bring investment to Wealdstone is going through extensive consultations and preliminary designs.

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The ambitious brief for the site around Peel House car park is to deliver a leaner, more efficient town hall, housing, commercial and affordable work space and car parking, and new facilities for the existing NHS and community uses.

This regeneration project delivers a wide package of initiatives designed to transform the economic performance and quality of life in the area. It also aims to deliver new public space and improved environment, better crossings and links to Byron Park and the leisure centre.

Architects Gort Scott and Allies and Morrison have presented their plans at well-attended public events and are planning a third session in the autumn.

lyon square Housebuilder Redrow is marketing a third block, Baldwin Court, in its collection of one, two and three-bedroom homes on the Lyon Square development in Harrow town centre.

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The development will feature a peaceful landscaped square at its

heart, including two children’s play areas, concierge service, underground parking and cycle store, with plans to develop a gym.

It will also incorporate office and commercial space alongside the new homes and incorporate easy pedestrian access to the town centre.

In addition to this project, the council is to transform the space opposite the site of the new civic centre into a new public square. With funding from the Greater London Authority, it will double the amount of public space that will be available to host events such as film screenings, cook-outs and markets. The designs are being developed by We Made That, with the community engaged in the design process (see news, page six).

the regeneration project delivers a wide package of initiatives

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Projects

lexicon, gayton road Fairview New Homes has sold the first homes in its Lexicon development on a former library site in Harrow on the Hill.

two and three-bedroom apartments.

Lexicon is a five-minute walk from Harrow on the Hill station and four minutes from Harrow town centre.

The developer is building 230 homes for sale at Lexicon on the 1.3-ha site off Gayton Road, previously occupied by Harrow Library, flats and a car park.

Jeremy Gee, main board director for Fairview, said: “As a company, we have extensive experience of redeveloping brownfield sites, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to redevelop this site. Lexicon will bring much-needed housing to the area, and we will be

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Homes are set in five buildings and buyers can choose from studio, one,

building homes in a range of sizes to cater to the needs of various buyers.”

Fairview will pledge £5.35 million under the Community Infrastructure Levy to be spent on delivering infrastructure locally. The company will contribute a further £355,475 under the Section 106 planning agreement for Lexicon, which will include payments towards employment and training, as well as public art.

grange farm The council is consulting with the community on modified plans for the redevelopment of Grange Farm estate in South Harrow after the Ministry of Defence objected to the height of some of the proposed buildings in the flight path of Northolt Airport.

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The scheme on the 4.1-ha site will replace the ageing buildings with 549 homes and a new community hub at its heart, including a community centre with a nursery. The first phase will go ahead at the three blocks at the entrance to the estate.

the scheme will replace the ageing buildings with 549 homes and a community hub

The council has opened a dedicated office in the refurbished community centre for residents to discuss the plans. Officers expect to update the planning application for re-submission at the end of 2017 after extensive consultation with the resident steering group and wider community.

harrow square Barratt London is progressing with building the first phase of its Harrow Square development and has launched its next phase, Bryant Apartments, on the market. The landmark scheme on College Road in Harrow on the Hill is part of a £1.75 billion rejuvenation of the area.

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The development will build apartments in four blocks of varying heights from six to 20 storeys, delivering 318 studios, one, two and three-bedroom homes. The majority of apartments have private balconies which, in addition to communal rooftop terraces, offer views of London.

Homes to offer 267 homes as private units, 30 rented units and 31 shared ownership units, with 16% of properties aimed at being affordable. Designed

by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the development was carefully considered to create a new focal point for the town centre, further boosting the regeneration masterplan for the wider area.

Solar panels on the tallest buildings will generate cleaner energy for the communal areas, while a centralised combined heat and power facility will provide residents with an efficient supply of electricity and heat.

A central public square will be used to host events and weekend markets. A 1,450sq m library will sit in the heart of the development, while a number of retailers will be located around the square, creating a new destination for new and existing residents of Harrow.

The developer is working with Hyde New

�� vaughan road Plans to turn a former car park at Vaughan Road in West Harrow into housing and commercial space have been granted planning permission by the local authority.

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Adam Khan Architects and landscape architect Adam and Sutherland have designed a scheme to turn the underused car park at Vaughan Road, West Harrow into housing under the council’s Build-to-Rent scheme, as well as some commercial space. It will be the first block of flats designed and delivered through the council’s regeneration programme.

The development will feature 33 homes with community use and commercial workspace on the ground floor. The scheme includes new landscaped courtyards and improvements to the surrounding public realm and transport network.

The design process has involved extensive consultation with the local community, including workshops on topics such as transport and ground floor uses. Planning permission was granted in September 2017 and the aim is to start on-site in early 2018.

Completion is set for 2019.

If permission is granted, the aim is to start on-site in early 2018

Projects

harrow view Persimmon Homes is marketing the first phase of its collection of homes at Harrow View West on the eight-hectare former Zoom leisure site in Wealdstone. Construction is currently underway on the scheme of two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses.

Help to buy, part exchange and home change schemes are available.

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On Harrow View East, which has outline planning permission for a large

scale mixed-use development, London and Quadrant is submitting a reserved matters application for the first phase of the masterplan shortly. This applies to the southern and eastern section of the Kodak factory site, which has outline permission for up to 650 new homes, a food store, health centre, care home and a new primary school.

Barratt London has formed a joint venture with the Hyde Group to develop the remaining phases of the

Harrow View East masterplan. The application is scheduled towards the end of the year.

The overall scheme is a significant opportunity to regenerate Wealdstone and is roughly the size of the town centre. As well as a boost to housing, plans include 32,516sq m of employment space, a community centre, a linear park running the length of the development and landscaping improvements.

whitefriars studios A collection of works by artists, photographers and designers are installed in the newly converted Whitefriars Studios in Wealdstone, which were created from the former offices of arts materials company Winsor and Newton, which set up its factory in 1937.

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from good natural light and kitchen facilities. They are being managed by the Association for Cultural Advancement through Visual Art, an educational charity

The ground floor conversion hosts a gallery and 14 artist studios, which range in size from 27-48sq m and benefit

The ground floor conversion hosts a gallery and 14 artist studios

that supports the development and practice of visual arts.

Harrow Council managed the overall project in partnership with the freeholder Altomart, while Pricegore Architects led the design. The studios are offered at a subsidised rent as fit-out costs were supported by funding from the Greater London Authority under the London Regeneration Fund.

BIG Partners

St Edward Sales & Marketing Suite Stanmore Place sales.stanmore@stedward.co.uk

Joining together to support Harrow

Chamberlain Commercial Tony Chamberlain Managing director tony@chamberlaincommercial.com The Collective General enquiries hello@thecollective.co.uk Origin Housing Gareth Jones Director of development gareth.jones@originhousing.org.uk For partner opportunities contact 3Fox International Harry Seal Project manager harry@3foxinternational.com

For more information about these companies visit bigharrow.com

Housing

Game changer COULD A NEW MODEL FOR BUILDING HOMES TO RENT BE THE ANSWER TO THE AREA’S HOUSING PRESSURES?

Words Jane Thynne

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f you live or work in the south-east, you are well aware that house prices can be quadruple what people pay in other parts of the UK. Renting anything decent in the capital or surrounding boroughs is becoming increasingly difficult, due to a lack of affordable tenancies.

But Build to Rent (BTR), a new style of private rental scheme, could change that. Promoted in 2012 as part of a series of government housing initiatives, BTR aims to create quality homes built solely for the private rented sector with market value rents as well as submarket rents.

There are three key aspects to the scheme: for developers, the attraction is a planningapproved site and the opportunity to bid for financial help towards construction costs from a government fund; for investors the incentive is a multi-property build, with a guaranteed return; and, perhaps most importantly, renters get a new home with inflation-linked rent rises and the possibility of a three-year lease.

“Finding a home has become much more of a challenge in Harrow and London as a whole,” says Danny Kaye, director of Sheridan Development Management, an independent property and regeneration adviser to Harrow Council. “The private rental market has effectively become segregated: at one end of the spectrum private landlords are acting responsibly; yes, they want to earn money but they also care about tenants. Then at the other end, there are those that offer poor quality accommodation and ever-increasing rents, showing a distinct lack of care for the tenant.”

BTR certainly seems to put tenants’ needs on an equal footing with those of the developers

and investors. Not only do they have the option of a longer-term lease, they also have the benefit of property management teams who are on-hand to carry out repairs or deal with problems, and rents often include all service charges.

While the number of BTR operators is still relatively low, the idea is gaining momentum. “Local authorities obviously know this [housing] is a major issue,” Kaye explains. “The choice now is to do nothing or to use land assets to develop market-rent and discounted market rent homes that will provide a decent target return to contribute to council funds, as well as provide good quality and well-managed rented housing.”

And that is exactly what Harrow Council has opted to do. According to Kaye, five or six key sites (including the civic centre car park) have already been identified for delivering 600 high quality BTR homes. The new-builds will be built and managed by a council-owned company. There will be a mix of predominantly one and two-bedroom apartments, plus some studios and three beds, with market rents for two beds, for example, ranging between around £1,450 to £1,650 per calendar month.

These developments are part of Harrow’s plan to work alongside the private sector and housing associations to create 5,500 new homes over the coming decade, alongside improved transport, shopping, employment, education and recreational facilities.

“It has to be a holistic strategy,” insists Kaye.

“Harrow has put a great deal of thought into its masterplan and the aim is to deliver good quality homes alongside well-designed civic facilities.”

harrow has put a great deal of thought into its masterplan

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Housing

Below: Bradstowe House features a communal lounge, just one of the facilities at the development, which also includes a cinema and gym, as well as 177 homes.

With such sound principles at the core of BTR, it comes as no surprise to learn that several private companies are already establishing a presence in the borough.

Greystar is one such company. Founded in the US in 1993 with the aim of putting people not assets back at the heart of property, it entered the European market in 2013, and has gained a significant portfolio of student and BTR accommodation. It is now one of the prime movers in the UK’s emerging BTR market and is managing a scheme in Bradstowe House on Harrow’s Headstone Road.

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“To be honest, when Greystar came to the UK four years ago, it was a surprise that this type of property didn’t exist,” says James Pargeter, projects director at Greystar Europe. “The idea of long-term management and development makes a lot of sense.”

Bradstowe House is made up of 177 ‘premium’ one or two-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Residents are offered exclusive access to a gym, cinema, 24-hour concierge service and communal lounge.

Pargeter is sure that the Greystar model is ideal for a range of the capital’s inhabitants.

“It’s all designed to make renting a better experience,” he explains. “Gyms, workspaces, someone to take in parcels, security and so on. Build-to-Rent is an excellent alternative to traditional renting, whether you’re a young professional looking to share, young family or in later life and looking to downsize.

People’s lives aren’t predictable. Housing needs to be adaptable.”

The building is close to Harrow on the Hill station with its easy connections to London, as well as many shops, restaurants and cafes.

rent figures 98% of UK PRS stock is in the hands of individual landlords or small companies* (Barclays document) 47,238 BTR units in London: 10,313 completed, 9,445 under construction, and 27,480 with planning** (BPF) 73% of tenants live within five minutes of their nearest public transport ** 51% of tenants are aged under 35** *Unlocking the Benefits of Build to Rent (BPF report commissioned from Savills, academically reviewed by LSE, and sponsored by Barclays) ** British Property Federation

Greystar is delighted with its Harrow scheme and would like to branch out further in the area. “Harrow is a great spot. We currently manage Bradstowe House but we are looking for development opportunities. We want to make our buildings are attractive places to

harrow is a very sound option. The local authority is very pragmatic

Below, left to right: Kirkfield House is located on Station Road and features 99 modern, bright and spacious homes, with top-of-the-range facilities.

be, with schools, health centres and public infrastructure, where people actually want to live to make new communities.”

Another company that has been quick to see Harrow’s potential is The SAV Group. Its conversion of Kirkfield House on Station Road from office to residential accommodation has resulted in 99 high-spec, contemporary apartments and studios.

“When Kirkfield House came up we looked at its levels of accessibility – great transport links to Euston and into central London. So we thought it would be best suited to young professionals working in the local area because there is a real lack of quality stock.

So we decided to convert that building into mostly studios.”

The furnished units are priced around £280 per week, which includes all utilities, high-speed broadband and a concierge service. And the company was certainly correct in its choice of offer with all units in

both phase one and two of the build let. Work on phase three is about to begin on site.

The success of the scheme has led the company to look for other projects in the borough.

Next up is Kenton House, in Kenton Lane HA3, a former hostel that will be transformed into 33 units over a two-year period.

“Harrow is a very sound option. The local authority is very pragmatic and forward looking. It actually understands the problems that developers face,” he explains. “Unlike some local authorities, it is willing to sit down and listen to you. This is definitely something that will attract us more and more to Harrow.”

And as Kaye says: “At the end of the day property investment should be about taking a long-term view and providing high-quality and well-managed homes to meet local housing demand homes for local people at affordable rents.”

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Markets

Harrow

15.3 percentage of employees in professional, scientific and technical services

Market fact-f ile

80.6 percentage of residents who are in employment

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96

7th

percentage of adult community learners completing their courses

highest housebuilding rate in london in 2016/17

2,000sq m of public realm improvements in 2016/17

248,000 population (2016)

5.7 percentage of harrow’s workforce in construction, compared with 2.8% in london overall

13,300 recorded businesses in harrow

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1,900 local companies receive the council’s monthly business newsletter

833 residents employed by council suppliers

983 businesses helped through council support and events in 2016

Sitematch

and Greater London Authority, there is a lot of interest from the private sector.

Sitematch opportunity

Greenhill Way DEBBIE ASHFORD TALKS TO TOBIAS GOEVERT, HARROW COUNCIL’S HEAD OF REGENERATION AND DESIGN, ABOUT A KEY OPPORTUNITY SITE

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What are your ambitions for Greenhill Way? We want to see a great development, providing commercial, residential, retail and leisure uses. As with all our schemes, we will be balancing a broad and holistic placeshaping agenda with commercial objectives.

The 0.76ha site is designated for mixed use in the Harrow and Wealdstone Area Action Plan and we have already completed a comprehensive feasibility study, delivered by leading architect Karakusevic Carson.

What is the potential of this site?

Visitors to the town centre are increasing, in contrast to other parts of London. There are excellent transport connections – being close to Harrow on the Hill Underground station – that offer easy access to central London. The site could be ideal for a hotel.

Harrow’s town centre is rapidly improving: in addition to investment from the council

The site will play a key part in this ongoing regeneration. The right scheme can reenergise the area, create vibrancy and drive economic growth. There is great potential here for the right partner.

Town centres are complex and cater to multiple user groups so it is important a future partner understands this and is willing to work with the council to balance objectives.

We are also committed to retaining the right proportion of parking provision.

How does this tie-in with the council’s overall plans for regeneration?

Greenhill Way is one of four key sites in our regeneration programme. The final strategy for the site will need to be consistent with the council’s commitment to delivering excellent urban design, architecture and public realm, high quality housing options, economic growth and inward investment.

What is the next stage?

The council is seeking a development partner to be appointed imminently.

The study considered a range of options around high quality commercial and residential development, including homes, offices, retail, hotel and leisure.

If you are interested in this or any other opportunities, please contact: Paul Nichols: divisional director, regeneration, enterprise and planning: paul.nichols@harrow.gov.uk

Sitematch London is an event enabling public sector landowners to engage with private sector developers, investors and occupiers.

For more information, visit sitematchlondon.com

“I think opportunities like Sitematch help to really raise up the conversation between public sector and private sector.

It’s actually about matching the opportunities that exist in terms of land to the ambition and desire for developers to build what London needs.”

– Eleanor Kelly, chief executive, Southwark Council

Sitematch London 2017 brokered 324 meetings with 55 public sector land owners in attendance, stimulating development and economic growth.

In 2018 we’re back with a new look and the biggest event yet.

For private sector attendees contact Josie Brewer josie@3foxinternational.com For public organisations and councils contact Paul Gussar paul@3foxinternational.com

8 February 2018 155 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3YD

sitematchlondon.com

ENJOY LIFE IN STYLE

WELCOME TO LYON SQUARE A DISTINCTIVE NEW COLLECTION OF LUXURY HOMES IN HARROW

25 minutes to King’s Cross St. Pancras Fully integrated kitchens All apartments have private outdoor space Residents’ only gym1 and concierge service

Lyon Square is a distinctive collection of high specification homes located within walking distance from the sought after area of Harrow On The Hill, North London.

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Prices from £360,000 Show apartment open 7 days a week Call 020 3538 4982 or email lyonsquare@redrow.co.uk

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2:16

Marylebone Station

Oxford Circus

Paddington Station

The Regent’s Park

King’s Cross / St Pancras International Station

Canary Wharf via Crossrail

Paris via Eurostar

HELP TO BUY NOW AVAILABLE ON SELECTED PLOTS WWW.LYONSQUARE.CO.UK 1 Plans are currently in place for residents’ gym. Travel times taken from TfL. Help to Buy is a Government-backed initiative in partnership with housebuilders. Available on selected plots, subject to status, terms and conditions. Help to Buy cannot be used in conjunction with any other scheme. It is highly advised, for a swift, smooth transaction that an IFA/Solicitor advised by Redrow Homes is used. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other Redrow offer.

CGI image is indicative only. Prices correct at time of going to press. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Check that this mortgage will meet your needs if you want to move or sell your home or you want your family to inherit it. If you are in any doubt, seek independent advice.

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