Cohesive plan is called for

Aug 18 2010 Harrow Observer

THE borough's planners face a difficult time balancing the needs of those behind plans to redevelop the site of the North Harrow Community Centre and the wider population.

But perhaps they should look to events a few years back, the last time Labour was in power.

Then, parishioners of St Gabriel's RC Church in South Harrow wanted to rebuild their place of worship and community centre.

The plans were seen as being out of scale for the proposed site with a detrimental impact on the church's neighbours.

Very similar arguments are now raised by opponents of the North Harrow plans.

Perhaps the solution in this case is to take a similar view to the one taken then - that such restricted sites can provide a place of worship or community facilities, but not both on any significant scale.

Following this precedent might have an added benefit.

It would allow the new council to spike the guns of those outsiders who have sought to introduce disquiet on to our streets, through protests like those outside Harrow Central Mosque.

Such a decision would show us to be a truly cohesive borough where people of all faiths and backgrounds are treated without fear or favour.

JOE CAMPBELL Woodlands North Harrow

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