Harrow Council is close to appointing a strategic partner to support its multi-million-pound regeneration programme, more than a year after the initial suggestion was approved by its cabinet.

Last night (September 1), a council overview and scrutiny committee discussed plans to approve ‘bidder B’ – the company name is currently withheld due to confidentiality agreements – out of the two remaining competitors.

Its report will subsequently be passed on to the council’s cabinet at a meeting on September 10, with ambitions to finalise the business plan by February 2021.

The strategic development partner will help with the delivery of major plans across three council-owned sites in Peel Road, Poet’s Corner and Byron Quarter.

It will cover 100,000 sq ft of mixed development, including a new civic centre in Wealdstone, 1,500 new homes and public realm improvements.

Cllr Keith Ferry, who is responsible for regeneration, planning, and employment at Harrow Council, has previously said he is looking forward to finally getting things moving on these flagship developments.

He said: “We have been talking about this for a long time now.

“This is the end of the process of securing a bidder, and the beginning of the process of getting people into these houses.”

Conservative councillor Kanti Rabadia expressed some concerns about the changing state of the world – and the impact this could have on the deal – following the outbreak of Covid-19.

However, consultant Julian Wain, who was hired to manage the strategic partner process, assured councillors there was “ongoing monitoring” of each bidder’s suitability and the team remained satisfied with its choice.

He added he would supply the committee with further details of how this has been managed following the meeting.