Barnet Council has thrown out two major housing schemes in the space of a week — blocking nearly 1,800 new homes on the grounds that the proposed buildings are too tall.
Both schemes, designed by architects JTP for developers Regal and Barratt, would have delivered blocks up to 25 storeys high. Councillors voted to refuse both, against the recommendation of their own planning officers.
1,485 homes rejected in Finchley
The first refusal came last Thursday, when the Strategic Planning Committee rejected Regal’s mixed-use redevelopment of the Great North Leisure Park in Finchley.
The proposals consisted of 1,485 homes across 20 buildings — including a 25-storey tower — along with a two-storey replacement public leisure centre, a sports pavilion, flexible commercial space and around 400 car parking spaces.
Committee chair Nigel Young said the scheme was refused because the “high density proposal would result in overdevelopment of the site, which has a poor public transport accessibility level.” He added that the “height mass and bulking would be inappropriate in this suburban setting and would cause harm to that setting”.
283 homes refused at High Barnet
The same committee met again on Monday evening and issued a second refusal — this time for a mixed-use redevelopment of the High Barnet station car park by Barratt London and Places for London, Transport for London’s development business.
That scheme, which had also been recommended for approval by officers, contained 283 homes and 567 square metres of commercial space in five buildings between five and 11 storeys in height.
Once again, Young gave the reasons for refusal as the height of the scheme and “the harm that that would cause to the surrounding context”.
Referred to the Mayor
Both decisions will now be referred to the Mayor of London for a final decision — a standard step for major refusals in the capital, and one that could yet overturn the council’s verdict.
The twin refusals highlight the ongoing tension in outer London boroughs between the desperate need for new housing and residents’ concerns about the changing character of suburban neighbourhoods.
With London’s housing targets under intense pressure, the Mayor’s decision on these two schemes will be watched closely by developers and councils alike.
London Streets will follow the Mayor’s ruling on both schemes.
