A proposed 34-room shared house in Harrow town centre was “reluctantly” given the green light by councillors following intervention from the Planning Inspectorate.

Harrow Council’s planning committee approved the scheme at Trinity House, in Station Road, on Wednesday (April 14).

Developers seek to create a house in multiple occupation (HMO) with 34 rooms split across two floors, which will also include a two-floor extension to the current building.

It will see offices converted into accommodation, alongside amenity space, including an open terrace, for residents.

A previous application at the site – proposing the same number of rooms in a slightly different layout – was rejected by the planning committee in May 2020.

Councillors described the plans as “unacceptable” and “over intensive”, arguing it would result in an “unsatisfactory standard” of living.

They added the structural additions would not be in keeping with the character of the area and would have a negative impact on nearby listed buildings.

However, this decision was overturned in January following an appeal to the Inspectorate.

While many of the council’s planning committee sitting last week remained opposed to the development, they acknowledged voting against it would be futile given this appeal decision.

It meant this most recent application was unanimously approved, though some members noted they had supported this “reluctantly” or “unfortunately”.