Campaigners hoping to block proposed building works next to a hospice handed in a petition with more than 6,000 signatures and almost 30,000 emails to the council handling the case.

The team from St Luke’s Hospice, in Kenton Road, Harrow, delivered several boxes worth of documents to Brent Council yesterday (March 26).

It wants to convince the council’s planning committee to deny planning permission for Clock House – a two-storey development near the hospice, which would house “vulnerable” residents.

The campaign has been well-supported by members of the public and politicians in the region.

Harrow East MP Bob Blackman, Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas and Brent North MP Barry Gardiner have all backed St Luke’s while thousands of people have written to the council urging it to protect the hospice.

Mr Thomas described it as a “precious service” for the people of north-west London, while Mr Blackman implored the council to “reflect the strength of feeling locally”.

The hospice pointed out that the proposed building would be built just five metres from its boundary and its residents would be able to see into some patients’ gardens.

Alpana Malde, chief executive of St Luke’s, said: “We support people in the last few weeks or days of their lives – an extremely emotional and vulnerable time for them and their loved ones.

“Ensuring the privacy and dignity of patients and families is of the highest importance.

“We strongly oppose any proposal which encroaches on our patient’s privacy and wellbeing.”

As well as the emails and separate petitions handed in at Brent Civic Centre, the hospice continues to run an online petition, which has been signed by thousands of people, against the development.

Cllr Eleanor Southwood, responsible for housing and welfare reform at Brent Council, said she understands the hospice’s position but stressed the borough is faced with demanding housing targets.

She said: “St Luke’s is a much-valued local organisation, and we’ll continue to work with them as plans are developed.

“We’re committed to doing our bit to tackling the chronic shortage of housing in Brent and do understand that any development impacts on the local community. We look forward to working with St Luke’s to address their concerns.”