The London Borough of Harrow in partnership with Wates is proposing to redevelop the land to the east of Harrow Leisure Centre car park (former driving school). We welcome your views to help shape the latest design proposals at this public engagement event. Join us to discuss and share ideas about the open spaces and character of the masterplan.

Have your say on our proposals

Byron Quarter 2024

Thank you for visiting this website.

Jordan Fahy

Development Manager

Get involved by completing these two quick activities.

Activities

Introduction

We have two activities we would like to have your help with. They consider the design of the architecture and landscape and how they might develop in the coming months.Activity 1&nbsp;Character Areas and Feel is a mood board of local buildings and details that could inspire us. What are your favourites?&nbsp;Activity 2&nbsp;Landscape and Open Space Features&nbsp;shows all the ways we are considering of enhancing the landscape proposed for Byron Quarter. What do you like to see in open spaces?

Activity 1: Character areas and feel

Activity 2: Landscape and open spaces features 

Thank you for your input!

Help build on the vision for Byron Quarter - find out more about the landscape and open spaces, and the masterplan layout, scale and character.

Exhibition boards - March 2024

How the design has evolved

Engagement began back in December 2021. We have considered your previous feedback and this has informed the design proposal, here&rsquo;s how...<ul><li>Only 1 flat block is proposed. Previous proposals included up to 5.</li><li>The tallest building height has been lowered from 10 storeys to 6.</li><li>More family homes. An increase from 10 to 70+</li><li>Placing houses along site edges promotes privacy and high quality outlook for the existing homes.</li><li>The density has reduced (from over 300 to 149 dwellings) to reflect the character of the local area and provide good amounts of play and open spaces</li></ul><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1710180642/projects/65e8b3ddde065f5d9026cb60/g4kd4dve7qzvaopxneiq.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="" style="width: 50%;" alt="Axo view of the original proposal">Above: The previous scheme with 5 flat blocks and 10 houses<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1710180730/projects/65e8b3ddde065f5d9026cb60/moevcoshuxkizp8z3qfx.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="" alt="Axo view of the current proposal" style="width: 50%;">Above: Current proposal - Illustrative view of current proposal showing 1 flat block and 70+ houses

<h4>Sustainability first</h4>Promoting healthy living and comfortable homes is at the centre of our design, with environmental officers and specialists working with us to protect and positively contribute to biodiversity on the site and in the surrounding area.<h4>An integrated landscape</h4>The public spaces and landscaping will combine play equipment, sensory planting and wildlife friendly habitats. Our design will manage drainage responsibly and minimise flood risks. We are exploring enhancements to the trail and park edge in terms of their environmentally responsible management.<h4>Delivery at the right pace</h4>We are committed to delivering much needed housing through a collaborative design process, working with the local authority, stakeholders and the local community. We aim to submit the planning application in summer of 2024. You will have further opportunity to comment on plans as part of this process.

Design vision

<h4 id="isPasted">Living together &amp; coming together - Making places focused on community</h4>We have created a mood board to show the type of place we think Byron Quarter could be, and we would love to hear what you think. We feel the proposed types of homes and open spaces should be developed specifically for Harrow&rsquo;s needs to promote healthy lifestyles and support the character of the local area. The home is where different generations in one family can live together and support each other, as well as a space to entertain friends or neighbours. Beyond the home, different households can come together in active, attractive and inclusive landscape areas and play spaces on their doorstep.<h4>Our objectives</h4>1. Create a balanced communityCreate a balanced and inclusive neighbourhood by offering diverse and flexible homes that meet Harrow&rsquo;s needs.2. Create a distinctive identityCreate a sense of place by enhancing connections to Byron Park, Belmont Trail, and the local community through open spaces.3. Build a safe neighbourhoodA positive environment addressing community safety concerns while integrating and connecting with Byron Park.4. Deliver homes at the right paceEnable fast and positive regeneration with high quality homes.5. Safeguard future phasesDesign to enable future developments to come forward with good flexibility.6. Establish a lasting legacyCreate a lasting community and a high quality environment through well considered buildings and estate management.

Masterplan Layout

The masterplan focal points are as follows: &nbsp;<ol><li>Key Connections &amp; Local Assets: We are proposing pedestrian and cycle routes to Byron Park and Belmont Trail</li><li>Social Interaction &amp; Community: The homes will hug round a green central public space that connects all of the proposed streets</li><li>Safety &amp; High-Quality Views: Homes will make the most of the views to the park, cemetery, central green and trail. Spaces are overlooked and safe by design</li><li>Proposed Heights: 2-3 storey houses sit closer to the surrounding houses. The flat block increases in height next to the potential future phases and the leisure centre</li></ol>

Masterplan Character 

<ol><li style="text-align: left;">Homes by the Green: A mix of townhouses and apartments facing onto the central green. Houses are in keeping with local character featuring higher pitches to create a strong presence</li><li style="text-align: left;">Belmont Trail: Houses close to the Belmont Trail. Greened streets are almost extensions of the trail and we can explore discrete porch entrances facing the trail for a sensitive level of activity</li><li style="text-align: left;">A Parkside View: Open views onto the park, and houses that sit comfortably alongside the mature trees and the potential future phases</li><li style="text-align: left;">Corner Cottages: The approach to the site is an inviting stepped street of 3 and 2 storey houses, with wide and traditional frontages leading to the central green</li></ol>

New Open Spaces

The landscape design for Byron Quarter envisions a community with tree lined streets, planted rain gardens, a central communal garden, direct links to Byron Park, and ecological enhancements to support a biodiverse, inviting, and integrated environment.<ol><li>Connectivity: New connections link with the wider community and enhance relationships with Byron Park and the Belmont Trail</li><li>Healthy Living: A place to live with healthy living opportunities; from engaging with nature and green open space to active play</li><li>Biodiversity: The site aims to promote biodiversity through tree planting, plants for pollinators, rain gardens and green roofs</li><li>Play:&nbsp;The landscape will create opportunities for residents to engage, relax and play together</li></ol>

Artist&#39;s impressions can be seen below:

Sustainability

<ol><li>Considering Local Wildlife: Byron Quarter will strengthen and nourish the local ecosystem with urban greening, considered planting for pollinators and habitats for wildlife</li><li>Building Healthy Homes: Homes designed to maximise natural lighting, fresh air ventilation and thermal efficiency</li><li>Future Proofing for the Environment: Reducing our carbon footprint with sustainable construction practices, energy &nbsp;sources and integrated drainage and flooding solutions</li><li>Ongoing Management for Sustainable Lifestyles: Care taking of pedestrian and cycle routes which serve to safeguard and interconnect green spaces. Providing for play and exercise &nbsp;outdoors</li></ol>

Next Steps

<h4 id="isPasted">What happens next?</h4>After the exhibition event held on March 12th, the portal will stay accessible for an additional three weeks (until April 2nd, 2024) for receiving comments or feedback on the outlined proposals.Afterwards, we will proceed with refining the masterplan and will keep you informed about the upcoming public engagement event.We welcome your involvement in shaping the future of Byron Quarter alongside our design team.YOU CAN STAY UPDATED THROUGH THE COMMONPLACE ENGAGEMENT PORTAL AND BY ATTENDING OUR NEXT ENGAGEMENT EVENT.&nbsp;

Timeline

View or download exhibition board PDFs

Now that you&#39;ve viewed the exhibition boards, share your thoughts: <a href="https://byronquarter2024.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/have-your-say/step1" style="text-decoration: none; font-size: 20px; background-color: #653294; color: #fff; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px 30px;">Have your say</a>

How the design has evolved.pdf

Design vision.pdf

Masterplan layout.pdf

Masterplan character.pdf

New open spaces.pdf

Sustainability.pdf

Next steps.pdf

Concept render showing houses and people walking and cycling

Have your say- Take our Survey

A bit about you

The masterplan

Your neighbourhood

High quality homes

Thank you for completing the survey!

In-person engagement event - March 2024

In-person engagement event March 24

Share with us your views and questions.We are planning to build new homes in the borough, by redeveloping the land to the east of Harrow Leisure Centre car park.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1710157957/projects/65e8b3ddde065f5d9026cb60/plnizbslnjhhqwhqx49a.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib">This is our thinking so far:<ul><li>Up to 150 high quality homes, including affordable housing</li><li>Landscaped surroundings</li></ul>We need your views and ideas to help make sure the design proposals are the very best they can be. Please join us at our engagement event where you can find out more about the proposals and meet the team.Tuesday 12 March 20242.00pm to 8.00pmHarrow Leisure Centre, (Masefield Suite)Christchurch Avenue,Harrow, HA3 5BDWe will publish more detailed plans as the project progresses, so please ensure you opt in to receive the <a href="https://byronquarter2024.commonplace.is/news">latest news and updates</a> .