Furious locals say they are concerned about the effects on Pinner after outline planning permission was granted to build on Waxwell Lane Car Park last month.
The move by Harrow Council’s planning committee means that the car park will be built upon although permission for a planning application for 14 three-bedroom houses and six four-bedroom houses is still to be granted.
That could happen at the next meeting of the planning committee later this month.
Residents and councillors accused planning chiefs of ignoring two petitions with nearly 2,000 signatures and said they were worried about the impact on local business and the community.
Norman Stevenson has represented Pinner on Harrow Council since 2014. He said Pinner needs new homes but stressed it is crucial they are the right type of home for the village. He also criticised planners analysis of the development.
Cllr Stevenson said: “A lot of money has been spent on experts and I think their analysis has been particularly weak. The parking analysis does not include the effect on business and community use.”
Stephen Wright also represents Pinner and said he is struggling to understand why the petitions were not considered.
He said: “The people have not had a response – a big chunk of public opinion has been ignored.”
Ruth Boff from the Pinner Association said she hoped the decision would be called in by opposition councillors. She said she feared the loss of the car park would dissuade people from visiting Pinner.
She commented: “People have been told they could park on Bridge Street but disabled people cannot get in and out of their cars quickly.”
Local resident Barry Sage said if the car park and the neighbouring police station close, traffic would become unbearable on Waxwell Lane and neighbouring roads.
He said: “It’s a narrow lane and struggles under weight of traffic. You’d have people parking on both sides of the road and it would create a kind of grand slalom which could prove difficult in emergencies.”
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