A HOUSING scheme for the former Safeway site in North Harrow was finally agreed by the council's development control committee on Wednesday last week.

Housing association Genesis wants to build a three- six storey building on the site to provide 112 flats, community facility a supermarket and parking.

Its plans include affordable housing, rented flats, homes for keyworker flats and 10 shared owenership flats, with 56 parking spaces for residents and a separate car park with 20 spaces for shoppers.

Their first application was refused on the grounds of overdevelopment, lack of parking, and because the planned community hall was not a good enough alternative to the bowling alley.

The new revised application includes one of the blocks reduced to four instead of six. The community facility has also been increased in size. There is also £30,000 available for CPZ if desired by residents for up to three years after the site is completed.The developer will also fund all costs of improvements to the Pinner Road public car park of up to £13,000. More money has also been put aside if a lay-by in Pinner Road is required. Another £20,000 has also been put aside for an alternative facility to the bowling alley.

Residents in the public gallery had a mixed response when the plan was passed. However they all agreed that something needed to be done to the site and a supermarket was needed in the area.

Councillor Marilyn Ashton (Conservative) said: "We are very committed to the redevelopment of the area. We need a top notch supermarket that will make a difference.

"However with this development there are still flaws but I am not prepared to get in the way of this scheme."

Councillor Howard Bluston ( Labour):"The developers have listened and responded to the residents. This is an excellent scheme that will be there for all the people of Harrow to use. "

John Mitchell, chairman of the Headstone Residents' Association said:" The people of North Harrow are very pleased with this new development.

"Trading in North Harrow has been in serious decline and a new supermakert will help to boost trade."

Gareth Thomas MP for Harrow West said: "I took a petition of 2,500 signatures to get this site improved.

"I am delighted that finally we are going to have a supermarket."

It is not yet known which company will occupy the new store.