Housing development at High Barnet tube station blocked by local council

"The plan, put forward by TfL's property arm, Places for London and Barratt Homes, would have seen approximately 300 new homes, including 40% affordable homes, built on the car park and on the light industrial land to the south of the station. The development had been recommended in the planning officer's report, but the councillors voted to reject it. The main reasons were strong local opposition to building over the car park and concerns about the buildings' height."

"They would have risen to 11 stories in an area where the local plan recommended a limit of 7 stories per development. During the consultations, people called for a maximum height of four stories, but the developer said they couldn't achieve the level of affordable housing needed to make the scheme work, as they need to build a certain number of full-price homes to fund the affordable homes. The councillors were also concerned about the lack of a Section 106 agreement, under which the developer pays the council for local improvements. At the end of the planning meeting, the councillors voted eight against and one abstention."

A proposal by TfL's Places for London and Barratt Homes for about 300 homes, including 40% affordable units, on the car park and adjacent light industrial land was rejected by Barnet councillors. The scheme had officer support but faced strong local opposition to building over the car park and concerns about building heights, with proposals up to 11 stories versus a local plan limit of seven and resident calls for four stories. The developer said lower heights would undermine affordable housing viability. Councillors also cited the absence of a Section 106 agreement. The decision was eight against, one abstention, and has been referred to the Mayor of London.

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