Objection to planning application for Barnet House

September 15, 2017 office

Andrew Dismore AM

London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden

City Hall

The Queen’s Walk

London

SE1 2AA

15/09/2017

Objection to planning application for Barnet House 1255 High Road London N20 0EJ, Ref: 17/5373/FUL

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to object to the above application in my capacity as London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden.

This application, whilst an improvement on the scandalous permitted development application earlier, is still unacceptable on the grounds of design, height, density, lack of amenity, and lack of parking provision.

The height of the building is unacceptable. The original building gained permission due to a 1960s loophole, and creating an even taller building of 14 storeys goes against the desire of the local community, and the Council’s own policies on design, sustainability and density.

The proposed units are only slightly larger than those of the earlier application. They are hare hutches rather than rabbit hutches. They are not at an acceptable level of space, and will therefore create a sense of claustrophobia for those living within them. I am concerned that so many people in such close proximity would also mean there is likely to be noise problems, and residents would not be able to enjoy either privacy or a sense of peace and calm in their own homes.

The exterior design of the development is also unacceptable, being out of keeping and out of character with the surrounding area of Whetstone and Totteridge.

The density of the development is still too high, and such a large development will likely to add to further pressure on local public services.

This is also not a child-friendly development, with no amenities for children of differing ages. This will only exacerbate the sound problems described earlier. In fact there is very little amenity space connected to this development, barring a balcony on the 12th floor.

I would have preferred to see some mixed use of the development, with some retail or office space retained on the ground floor, and some proper community space provided.

I do not believe the parking arrangements are in any way adequate. Again, the concept that being on bus routes and near a station means residents will not use cars is, as usual in a suburban context, erroneous. there are likely to be both families and retired people living in this development, both groups are car dependent in suburban contexts.

Therefore, I oppose this development, and urge Barnet Council officers to reject this application.