Cllr Graham Henson, Leader of Harrow Council, said: “This decision opens up Harrow to a new and exciting future. Our work with Wates will benefit countless local people and improve the lives of generations to come. As we begin to emerge from the devastating pandemic, I want this to signal the start of our renewal.

“Wates Residential has a wealth of experience delivering high-quality development projects. With their expertise we will unlock the potential of these sites, creating new communities and new opportunities for local people. I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to Wates and look forward to the amazing things I know our partnership can achieve.

“Harrow is crying out for high-quality affordable housing. Too many people are trapped in unsuitable, overcrowded accommodation. They deserve places to live that will support their success and allow their families to flourish.

“We are committed to doing all that we can to meet Harrow’s future needs within our existing developed environment. That means using sites like these much more efficiently. By making this commitment, we can protect our precious greenbelt and ensure that the development proposals we bring forward are appropriate, sustainable and backed by investment in infrastructure.”

Helen Bunch, Executive Managing Director, Wates Residential, said: “We at Wates Residential are really excited to be a part of this amazing regeneration scheme that is going to transform the face of Harrow.

“This £690 million regeneration programme will deliver 1500 quality affordable homes, a new civic centre, commercial space as well as green public spaces for the people of Harrow to enjoy.”

The three core sites on which the new Harrow Strategic Development Partnership will focus are Poets Corner, currently the site of the Council’s Civic Centre; Peel Road, off Wealdstone High Street and Byron Quarter, next to Byron Park and including the site of an old driving test centre.

The Cabinet’s approval to form a partnership with Wates will now see the creation of a new legal entity called ‘Harrow Strategic Development Partnership’ – the council and Wates will each own a 50 per cent share.