Are residents being listened to: Development in Barnet

Are residents being listened to 

In late  May, Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London) overturned Barnet Council's decision to reject a housing plan which amassed 264 objections from local residents concerned about the size of the plan. 

The plan for 1,485 homes on the Great North Leisure Park in Finchley was 

criticised by councillors and residents for  the size, height and density of the proposed scheme, which is set to house around 4,000 people without any meaningful infrastructure 

A planning lead for the Mayor of London argued that, while he had heard ‘numerous concerns regarding the density and massing of the scheme’ and that the plot was not specifically identified as an area appropriate for tall buildings, London needed to ‘optimise this and other brownfield locations’, otherwise development would be driven to alternative sites, including in the green belt.

London Liberal Democrat Assembly member Hina Bokari AM replied: “The Mayor must address London's housing crisis, but also listen to local resident concerns. Communities deserve a say in how their neighbourhoods grow, and that democratic accountability should not be dismissed simply because the Mayor is failing to deliver his housing targets."

Barnet Liberal Democrat Campaigner Julia Hines added “This now sets a precedent for 25 storeys in the area, which may be relevant to other sites in Barnet. We need housing in our borough, especially for young professionals and families, but this needs to be properly considered.” 

The Barnet Liberal Democrats are campaigning extensively to support resident voices across the borough and will work hard to ensure all voices are heard.