PLANS for a new community centre in North Harrow continue to divide residents despite significant changes made to the designs.

Muslim charity the Battlers Wells Foundation has applied for permission for a new centre on the site of the North Harrow Assembly Halls in Station Road.

This is the second time the charity has tried to get its plans passed, and after one failed attempt it went away and reduce the size of the proposed centre.

However, North Harrow residents continue to express concern over potential problems of increased traffic and parking problems, as well as doubts over the use of the centre.

Carl Furnell, of Kingsfield Avenue, said: “Parking is already totally inadequate for the current use of the premises. Parking on the main road and surrounding roads already causes congestion, and this would become unacceptable if this development were to go ahead.

“This development is not required as there is already a library in North Harrow, and gym facilities at the Leisure Centre, Kodak, Harrow and Pinner.”

Margaret Large, of Canterbury Road, described the scheme as “ostentatious” and said it “does not fit” in the area of North Harrow.

She added there are concerns that the increased traffic and parking problems do not seem to have been addressed.

A lingering concern for some residents is that the community centre would be Muslim in nature, despite fierce protestations from the charity that it would be open to all faiths and groups.

Not all commenters on the scheme have been negative, with some contacting Harrow Council saying it is much needed for the Muslim community and for North Harrow residents.

One resident of Verwood Road, said: “I am delighted to see that the community is going to open up their centre, which currently is very much restricted to the Muslim community.

“It seems as though they want to open their centre to the wider community, creating a centre for social interaction and, for the building of a community.

“The facilities proposed seem like an ideal way of doing this.”

The plans, including a prayer hall, gym, cafe, and community hall, are currently being assessed by council officers, and will be put before the planning committee this autumn.