Morse Consultants is delighted to announce that its project with Harrow and Uxbridge College (HRUC) to provide an NHS Community Hub using one of its disused buildings has been granted consent from the London Borough of Harrow.

Morse was employed to oversee the project on The White House, an 1820’s Georgian Grade II listed building which was part of the college’s estate. Having previously been used the for teaching and later for administrative purposes, the building had fallen into disrepair and was no longer required by the college.

A GP health centre was one of several options considered as an alternative use for the building, which would enable the NHS to expand the number of appointments by more than double and also offer additional health support services offered in the area. Morse’s role included bringing the team together to deliver the scheme, overseeing the planning process, producing feasibility studies and designs, and project managing the works to preserve the historic integrity of the building.

Morse had been working with the college, contractors, planning consultants and the local heritage and planning departments to ensure that the scheme could be realised. Planning permission has now been granted by the local authority, and having completed the external works, the fit out works for the NHS will be able to commence with a view to open in March 2027.

The change of use will include works to reinstate an Orangery, fit out of the building for health care services and community spaces and extensive landscaping works to provide a dedicated entrance for patients and staff. Speaking at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday (September 2), Chair Marilyn Ashton said: “I think this is a really good use of this building. I think that it’ll improve the offer of healthcare, and that’s critical, actually.

“We have been working with HRUC for almost a year to deliver a scheme that will bring a redundant building back into use, for the benefit of the local community. We are delighted to have helped HRUC to secure planning permission, so that they can move on with the next phase of this project. By bringing us in as property advisors at an early stage, we were able to guide HRUC through the very complex processes of historic building preservation, planning and funding. Our services have helped protect the college’s budget; and brought together a team which has been able to collaborate effectively for the benefit of the wider community.” Steve Hogevold, managing director Morse Consultants.