Radar heads operated by NATS already provide significant cover for the London area
With respect to you, that statement is not true. Simple as that.
Whilst I haven't been a big fan of NATS in terms of GA service provision, surely the fault stems from the Government providing a profit driven PPP company - and the CAA for not paying for LARS. (Aren't they they ones that take most many from GA - not NATS??)
During the "Privatisation" many of us in NATS were predicting the subsequent dropping of LARS by units as having a big hit in the GA world. I don't remember too much support for us in stopping the PPP from any of the organisations that perhaps should have helped block the PPP. How vocal were the BHAB/HCGB/AOPA etc?