Andrew Dismore

London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore has dubbed the Barnet Council scheme to build 19 tall buildings in the west of the borough as ‘Barnhattan’. Speaking to his motion at the London Assembly, Mr Dismore on tall buildings in the suburbs said the views of London from Barnet would be ‘ruined and obscured by a mass of oversized buildings.

 

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Dismore said:

 

‘Tall buildings can augment and even enhance a city skyline, for example in parts of the City of London or Canary Wharf, but only if they are in the right places, meet the right needs, and respect the character and identity of the surrounding area.

 

‘Tall buildings are presently considered to be those of over 20 storeys, but in the suburbs less high ones can also dominate, as for example the proposal in Edgware Station Road for what will be the tallest building in the ward at 17 storeys. We need a new lower threshold for the definition of ‘tall building’, when in the suburbs.

 

In Camden, we have seen the Conservative Secretary of Sate overrule Camden Council and give permission for the 24 storey block scheme for 100 Avenue Road.

 

These developments will completely dominate the skyline. The West Hendon 31 storey tower that is almost complete sticks out like a sore thumb. I have received numerous complaints from nearby residents about the overlooking and boxed-in feeling many have now that one tower is in place. I think they will feel a lot worse when all three of them are built.

 

‘Residents of Cricklewood will feel completely surrounded when 19 high rises are erected around them, affecting not just the landscape but also the quality of life for future generations of Barnet residents.

 

‘The developers’ drive to develop tall residential buildings in the suburbs can also lead to severe problems across public services down the line through overdevelopment.

 

‘Given the long sad history of Barnet Council schemes, I doubt they have thought through all these issues fully. Their constant failure to plan ahead will have severe consequences for residents in the future.’

 

Mr Dismore showed the Assembly photographs of models of the West Hendon scheme to demonstrate how oversized the three towers there will be. He said photographs taken from the top of one medium sized development showed that these buildings could be seen from 5 kilometres away in East Finchley.

 

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Dismore added:

 

‘I was pleased the Assembly approved my motion, despite the Conservatives voting against it. The fact remains that the problem lies at their door, with a Mayor who approves these schemes, a Conservative council in Barnet which gives planning permission for them despite local opposition from residents , and a Conservative Secretary of State who overrules a Labour Council which refuses a very unpopular one.’

ENDS

 

Notes:

 

The full text of the Motion is:

This Assembly notes with concern the growing proliferation of tall buildings in outer London.

 

These buildings threaten the cherished suburban character of outer London boroughs. In Barnet for example, New London Architecture has identified 21 tall building projects in the development process. Many of these have no place in the suburbs, such as the 31-storey tower, one of three planned,  being built in otherwise low-rise West Hendon and threatening the Welsh Harp SSSA.

 

Tall buildings can make a positive contribution to city life and the skyline, but only if they are in the right places, meet the right needs, and respect the character and identity of the surrounding area. Most of those proposed for suburban London fail to meet these criteria.

 

This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to rethink his approach to tall buildings in outer London and to:

• establish a ‘Skyline Commission’ of experts from a range of fields;
• develop more detailed and rigorous master-planning processes, including engagement with local residents and stakeholders, especially within Opportunity Areas;
• implement a clusters policy; and

• require all developers with proposals for tall buildings in outer London to consider other building configurations.

 

The GLA should also support the development of a fully interactive 3D computer model of London’s emerging skyline in order to allow development proposals to be visualised within the context of their impact on the London skyline.

 

 

 

 

Proposed tall buildings over 20 storeys in Barnet :

 

Peel Centre COLINDALE

Brent Cross Market Quarter MQI (2) BRENT CROSS

Brent Cross West BXW1 (1) BRENT CROSS

Brent Cross West BXW1 (2) BRENT CROSS

Brent Cross West BXW1 (2) BRENT CROSS

Brent Cross West BXW2 (1) BRENT CROSS

Brent Terrace BT2 (1) BRENT CROSS

Brent Terrace BT2 (2) BRENT CROSS

Brent Terrace BT4 (1) BRENT CROSS

Eastern Lands EL1 (1) BRENT CROSS

Eastern Lands EL1 (2) BRENT CROSS

Eastern Lands EL3 (1) BRENT CROSS

Eastern Lands EL3 (2) BRENT CROSS

Eastern Lands EL4 (1) BRENT CROSS

Brent Cross Market Quarter MQI (1) BRENT CROSS

Station Quarter SQ1 (1) BRENT CROSS

Station Quarter SQ1 (2) BRENT CROSS

Station Quarter SQ1 (3) BRENT CROSS

Station Quarter SQ2 (1) BRENT CROSS

Station Quarter SQ2 (2) BRENT CROSS

West Hendon Estate (Block E2) WEST HENDON

West Hendon Estate (Block E3) WEST HENDON

West Hendon Estate (Block E4) WEST HENDON