Harrow Council green light to new flats on Berridge Estate

Those living in Edgware’s Berridge Estate were “incensed” Harrow Council approved a development that will result in 48 new top-floor homes. 

They also criticised what they saw as a lack of consultation, accusing the council of “going ahead with it” regardless of what residents felt. 

Call centre worker Claire Sparks said the scheme, which is being run between the council and private developer Apex Airspace, will add to a growing list of issues on the estate. 

She said: “It’s just outrageous. I’m absolutely incensed, I can’t tell you how angry I am. 

“The council can’t manage things as it is, we’ve got issues with parking, issues with litter, issues with anti-social behaviour. 

“This used to be a nice area, these are low-rise buildings and now they want to build another big chunk on top of them.

“They couldn’t organise a p***-up in a brewery. I’m planning to start a petition and write an absolutely stinking letter to them.”

The 53-year-old, who has lived on the estate for 25 years, said she was particularly upset by what she sees as a lack of consultation with residents on the matter. 

She added: “No-one asked me what I wanted, no-one asked my neighbours what they wanted, nobody knew a thing. 

“It’s absolutely shocking that they’ve just whacked it through and have said ‘take it or leave it’. 

“I’m settled here, I’ve got the Tube five minutes away and bus routes into work, why should I feel like I might have to leave?”

Harrow Council has approved plans to build an extra 48 flats on top of existing buildings in Edgware's Berridge estate

Another resident, Susan White, agreed the plans will have a negative impact on the estate and that she was “not happy” to see it approved so easily.

She said: “They can’t be bothered to clean, we’ve got mice, the paths need sorting – they need to deal with all that first.

“I feel for those on the top floors – you don’t rent or buy a place with the thought you might have someone on top of you in a couple of years time.”

Gaurav Dhooharike, who lives on one of the top floor flats, said it would be something his landlord might want to address but for him, at this stage, it “isn’t really an issue” despite the estate being his home for the past four years.

Harrow Council approved the scheme at a cabinet meeting in July as part of its ambitions to provide more affordable housing in the borough. 

Cllr Phillip O’Dell, who is responsible for housing at Harrow Council, said: “It is a key council priority to deliver new homes in Harrow, making a difference across the borough by increasing the supply of affordable housing to meet the needs of vulnerable households and families. 

“We’re excited to be working with Apex Airspace on this new project, helping provide vital new affordable homes using modular construction.”

He confirmed the council submitted a bid to the Greater London Authority for funding to support similar developments in other parts of Harrow. 

The cabinet report on the issue noted a consultation event was held in October 2019, which was attended by people from 17 out of 144 flats on the estate.