The controversial 'Tesco Towers' redevelopment in North London has been thrown into uncertainty after the lead developer officially withdrew from the ambitious scheme.
Project in Peril
Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), the housing association that submitted the formal application alongside landowner Tesco, has confirmed it is stepping away from the Station Road project. The decision forms part of NHG's wider strategy to reduce its development pipeline and focus on improving its existing housing stock.
The original proposal, formally known as Greenmead Place, involved demolishing the current Tesco superstore in Harrow to make way for ten new tower blocks, ranging from four to thirteen storeys high. The plan promised 504 new homes and a brand-new Tesco store to replace the old one.
Local Opposition and Concerns
The developer's withdrawal is likely to be welcomed by the many local residents who fiercely opposed the project. A petition organised by the campaign group 'No To Tesco Towers' gathered approximately 2,500 signatures during the initial consultation phase.
Opponents raised significant concerns about the sheer scale of the development, the perceived lack of genuinely affordable housing, and the potential strain on local infrastructure. This included worries about pressure on roads, public transport, schools, and health services.
Residents from a nearby retirement home expressed particularly strong fears, with some stating they were "literally scared for [their] lives" due to potential air quality deterioration and construction debris, which they feared would severely impact those with existing breathing difficulties.
What Was Proposed?
The development was planned to be completed in two distinct phases. The first phase outlined the construction of 233 homes, which included all of the proposed affordable housing, within five towers of seven to thirteen storeys. This phase also included building the replacement Tesco store.
The second phase involved building a further 271 homes for private sale across five more blocks, followed by the demolition of the original superstore. Planning documents from NHG had argued that building on this brownfield site presented an opportunity to provide homes without encroaching on the surrounding green belt land.
While the application could theoretically be revived, its immediate future is now unclear. The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that Tesco will continue to liaise with Harrow Council, leaving the local authority to determine the application's fate.
