Planning applications for major developments on London Underground station car parks could be put on hold due to coronavirus.

Transport for London (TfL), which plans to build hundreds of homes across several sites, said it is working with local authorities to possibly delay proceedings.

It comes after Harrow councillor and leader of the Greater London Authority Conservatives Susan Hall called on London mayor Sadiq Khan to halt applications during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This situation obviously presents significant challenges to the capacity of councils to process planning applications at this time, especially major applications of this nature, so it is sensible to reduce this load wherever possible,” she said.

“At a time when people are gravely concerned about the health of themselves and others, as well as the various additional issues that have arisen out of this crisis, residents are unlikely to be in a position to respond to such applications as they normally would, and it would be unreasonable to expect them to do so.”

TfL hopes to carry out projects across tube station car parks – including in Stanmore, Canons Park and Rayners Lane in Harrow, High Barnet and Finchley Central in Barnet and Cockfosters and Arnos Grove in Enfield – to help ease pressure on the capital’s housing crisis.

But the plans have been met with some opposition from those living close to the car parks, as well as local politicians.

There are concerns that the developments will impact on infrastructure and traffic in the surrounding area, in addition to issues around their scale and design.

Graeme Craig, TfL’s director of commercial development, said any decisions would be taken following full engagement with the public.

He said: “We understand that in the current crisis people will have the health of themselves, their family and friends at the forefront of their minds, rather than development proposals and we will work with Harrow Council to agree a suitable, extended timetable for consideration of the applications.

“As we have done to date, we want to ensure there is transparent and robust public consultation on these planning applications.

“Any statutory consultation of course should be held at the appropriate time, and the public must have a full opportunity to scrutinise plans and make representations. We are in close discussions with councils about our plans and will look to make further announcements when we can.”