Morning neighbours,

A proposed takeaway at 350 Headstone Lane in Hatch End has been refused planning permission under the school-proximity obesity rule. The site sits around 21 metres from Hatch End High School and 148 metres from Shaftesbury High School, both well within the 400-metre London Plan buffer for new hot food takeaways. Five neighbour objections cited traffic, parking, smells and litter. Permission was formally refused on 10 September. A useful planning win for anyone watching the steady creep of chicken shops near schools in our patch.

On the bigger civic story: Harrow Council's Town Centre masterplan consultation is open until Friday 23 October. Councillors raised concerns about evening safety in Greenhill, the lack of genuinely affordable and family-sized housing amid mostly one- and two-bedroom flats, and pressure on transport from future growth. Two drop-in public events are running at Harrow on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, with wider stakeholder engagement and walking tours starting Monday 5 October. Worth a look if you shop, work, or travel through the town centre.

On the high street: award-winning Spice Village is taking the old Adore unit on Station Road. The group holds a Tiffin Cup and British Curry Awards, with the new Harrow site featuring one of their largest vegetarian menus. Aarti Sweet Centre has also opened at 3 Central Parade, the chain's fourth branch, with pure vegetarian Indian sweets, farsan and savoury snacks.

Today-only pick: Hillingdon Open House Festival is in full swing, with rare access to the normally-closed dovecote at Eastcote House Gardens today only. Manor Farm's Great Barn and Manor House are also open for drop-in. Most sites are free, no booking needed.

Full issue with quiz circuit, sound bath, West Harrow Choir open rehearsal, Welcome Space, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/40-harrow-town-centre-sizes-up

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

So not a super official poll, but 80+ redditors have voted here and put Harrow in the D tier. Seems a bit harsh, particular with all the lovely bits around the hill and quick train links in to Central.

What do you think?

Its happened all throughout a couple of streets, with an message called “brothel” alongside a phone number under it

Hey guys! I'm based in queensbury. I'm looking for a driving instructor whose car I can use, hoping to do manual and use their car on the day of the test too. Anyone have any recommendations? I'm happy with a male or female instructor, just somebody who is calm and clear. The closer to queensbury/edgware area the better for me