Aldi Marsh Lane Planning Application: What You Need to Know 

1. Site and Location: Aldi proposes to redevelop the former Marsh Lane Gas Works in Stanmore (0.9 ha) into a new discount food store. The site borders residential homes and Stanmore Marsh — a protected nature area. It is classed as a brownfield site but also identified in Harrow’s emerging Local Plan for housing (Site O19, capacity for 70+ homes).

2. Development Overview: The plan is for a single-storey Aldi food store (1,901 sqm) with 94 parking spaces (including EV bays), new landscaping, and access from Marsh Lane. The store will feature a red-brick and metal-clad design with a large glass frontage. Servicing would take place via a ramped bay on the northern edge.

3. Jobs and Economic Claims: Aldi states the store will create around 40 local jobs, mainly part-time roles, and offer affordable shopping. However, local traders and shopkeepers fear the impact on existing businesses. The store will draw footfall away from Stanmore, Canons Park, Edgware  and Belmont  town centres, threatening independent shops and undermining efforts to revitalise the high street.

4. Character and Design Impact: The development replaces open and green-edged land with a car-focused layout and industrial-style building, which some residents say is out of character with the quiet, residential surroundings. The design does not reflect local architecture and risks dominating the streetscape, especially near homes and schools.

5. Biodiversity and Trees: The proposal would cause a 29.4% net loss in habitat units, and several mature trees will be lost or affected, with limited space for new planting due to underground infrastructure. This harms local ecology and fails to meet the Environment Act's 10% Biodiversity Net Gain target without off-site compensation, which has not been secured.

6. Transport and Parking Concerns: Although the site is near bus stops and two Jubilee Line stations, its Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) is low (1b–2). The development proposes 94 car parking spaces, well above local targets, which could lead to increased car use, congestion, and reduced pedestrian safety, especially on Marsh Lane and near schools.

7. Fear of Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour: Large retail developments can attract loitering, noise, and anti-social activity, especially during late hours or around rear car parks. With adjacent parkland and schools, local residents fear this could reduce feelings of safety, particularly at night or for vulnerable users.

8. Environmental and Remediation Issues: The site is contaminated from former gasworks use. While Aldi submitted risk assessments, there is no fully approved remediation strategy, raising concerns about groundwater pollution and surface water runoff into nearby Stanmore Marsh, a sensitive ecological zone and Edgware Brook downstream.

9. Sustainability and Energy Shortfalls: Although Aldi includes solar panels and LED lighting, the scheme lacks a Circular Economy Statement and post-occupancy energy monitoring, falling short of London Plan requirements for long-term environmental accountability.

10. Public Consultation: Aldi states that 61% (i.e. 529 surveyed individuals) are in favour of its proposal; however, opposition appears more widespread, with over 1,000 people signing a petition against it and the majority of formal comments on Harrow’s planning portal firmly opposing the plans.  Critics argue Aldi's consultation process felt superficial, with no major changes made in response to objections.

You can access all the submitted planning documents related to the Aldi Store development below - which have been copied from the Harrow Planning portal: https://planningsearch.harrow.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=230277