The latest Victoria Quarter scheme for 539 units on the former gasworks site in East Barnet was refused at this week’s Planning Committee (22 February), following strong opposition from the Save New Barnet Campaign and Labour councillors and activists.
Labour councillors on the Planning Committee voted unanimously against the development. The Conservatives votes were split, with one Conservative voting in favour of the scheme.
Labour’s Cllr Anne Clarke and John Dix of the local campaign addressed the meeting, setting out that the scheme was badly designed, would subject residents to noise and overheating, and did nothing to increase provision of family size homes which is a priority for Barnet.
This latest scheme is very similar to a previous one rejected by the Planning Committee and the Mayor of London, with just five fewer units and one less storey off the height of some blocks.
Labour has listened to local residents on this issue, as it has done over their concern for poor lighting, better green spaces and more visible neighbourhood policing.
East Barnet Labour candidate, Simon Radford said:
“Congratulations to the local community for seeing off the latest version of this over-development at the gasworks site – their hard work has paid off.
“The developer, who has donated to the Conservative Party in the past, clearly thought reducing the scheme by 5 homes would somehow mean it was acceptable, but they have been rebuffed by people power.
“Overdevelopment on this site is still a threat due to the Conservative Government’s excessive housing targets. Combine these targets with the complete failure by the local Conservatives to secure sufficient infrastructure to support new housing, and you can see why people are against developments taking place at this and other local sites.”
East Barnet candidate, Philip Cohen added:
“This is a victory for the people of East Barnet. The rejected scheme was a huge increase on the original plan of 371 flats and houses which was welcomed locally. We need to insist that the council and the developer take sensible, alternative plans seriously. The decision also shows the complete failure by the local Conservatives to secure sufficient infrastructure to support new housing.”
East Barnet candidate Edith David said:
“We will continue to be on the side of the local community on this issue, and campaign against unsuitable schemes that come forward here. Standing up to developers is a key pledge for us in the local elections this May.”
Ends.
Notes:
For a copy of the planning committee report on Victoria Quarter see: https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=703&MId=10833