Local Authority

Residents have been battling for two years to evict two families living in a shed in a garden.

Harrow Council served an enforcement notice in July 2007 to stop the outbuilding at the house in Formby Avenue, Stanmore, being used as flats.

By Elaine Okyere

Stanmore residents have complained they are risking their lives crossing a busy road.

Church Road at the junction with Stanmore Hill, Church Road and The Broadway, is causing controversy after a series of near-misses.

Officials are set to strike a deal to nearly double the size of Stanmore Country Park in return for approving a housing development.

A huge expansion of the park from 88 acres to 157 acres - making it one of the biggest open country parks in London - will take place if Harrow Council approves the sale of three acres of presently derelict land for a 10-house development.

By Elaine Okyere

Neighbours are being encouraged to get to know each other at a street party planned for Edgware.

Harrow Council's community and cultural services department will be throwing a beach and street party over the next few months to improve community relations.

By Tara Brady

Two landmark buildings dating from the 18th Century have been successfully restored to their former glory.
The property previously known as the Kings Head Hotel in Harrow on the Hill and the walls of George V Memorial Garden in Canons Park were taken off English Heritage's At Risk Register this week.
English Heritage, the national body which preserves historical monuments, warned last year that 10 dilapidated properties in Harrow were in need of repair or complete restoration.
The Kings Head, which dates back to the 1720s, once served as an inn but by the 20th Century was falling into disrepair.
Harrow Council oversaw the project and made sure the building was restored using the same lime render and timber windows that had been used in its original construction.
Baj Mathur, retired architect, town planner and executive member of Harrow Heritage Trust, said: "Unfortunately, buildings do become dilapidated and their owners let them fall into disrepair. But with the help of English Heritage, the council and people who are interested in these buildings they can be saved.
"Harrow Heritage Trust commended both projects and so it is great news to hear that they have been carried out."
Using a grant of £917,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the council also worked with Friends of Canons Park and successfully restored the vast parkland which runs between Stanmore and Edgware, including its buildings.
As part of the restoration programme the walls of George V Memorial Garden were also removed from the register.
Sharon Graham, of Friends of Canons Park, said: "We are over the moon. The garden looks beautiful and the wall has been restored to its former glory. It has taken a couple of years but we are all so pleased. It is now up to the council to make sure it stays like this but we a park keeper so we know it will be looked after."
Eight buildings are still classified as being at risk. They include the Garden Temple in Canons Park, Canons Farm Barn in Pinner and East End Farm Barns, also Pinner.
Councillor Marilyn Ashton (Conservative), responsible for planning, development and enterprise, said: "The At Risk Register is an important asset in our understanding of the threat posed to protected sites in Harrow.
"There are more than 300 listed buildings in Harrow and the limited number of entries on the register reflects the council's commitment to protecting the borough's heritage.
"We are delighted the former King's Head Hotel and the walls of the George V Memorial Garden have come off the register and are confident in 2009 other buildings will follow."

People in Harrow can have their say about how they want the borough to look - and could win £100.
Residents can comment by logging on to Harrow Council's new interactive website harrow consult or contact ldfconsultation@harrow.gov.uk or 020 8736 6069 for information.

By Elaine Okyere

Plans to introduce parking restrictions to roads around Stanmore tube station are expected to be approved at a Harrow Council meeting this evening (Wednesday).

Councillors plan to add new controlled parking zones to 11 roads in the area and 10 other roads will also get yellow line markings to ease congestion.

More than 4,000 householders were consulted in February and an overwhelming majority agreed to the extension.

Residents are hoping the controls will stop motorists parking their cars along the roads and on kerbs and grass in order to take the Jubilee line from Stanmore Station to Wembley.

Two parking zones were originally introduced in the area in 1994, but have not been reviewed since 2004.

The new roads to be included in the restrictions are Berry Hill, Brockleyside, Chevalier Close, Rees Drive, Westbere Drive, Partridge Close, Gordon Avenue, Naresby Fold, Tudor Well Close and parts of London Road and Pangbourne Drive.

A meeting is due to be held regarding changes to a bar and restaurant in Stanmore.
A licensing panel will be held regarding the Spice Rack Lounge, in Church Road, whose owners are seeking to increase their powers to sell alcohol.
The meeting will take place at Harrow Civic Centre, in Station Road, at 7pm tomorrow (17).

Thousands of motorists were stuck in traffic jams that stretched as far back as Uxbridge Road in Stanmore and Kenton Lane.