Barnet Conservatives reject more affordable rents at Barnet House
Residents were left shocked as all six Conservative members of the Barnet Council Planning Committee voted to reject a Labour amendment which would have strengthened the unanimously agreed refusal of the new scheme for Barnet House. The amendment by Cllr Jim Tierney included an objection to the insufficient provision of affordable rent.
The scheme provided for only 20% of their properties, which are all for rent, as opposed to the Barnet target of 40% affordable units.
Andrew Dismore, London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, who attended the meeting and spoke in objection to the scheme, said:
‘The Barnet Conservative Party’s attitude to affordable renting was laid bare. Their housing spokesperson says they want “British homes for British people” one week, the next week they vote against more affordable rents that local Barnet residents can afford. Renting in Barnet is far too expensive, but the Conservatives on the council never push developers for more affordable provision.’
‘The Conservatives have admitted before that they only want the wealthy moving in to Barnet, because they would pay their taxes, not use services, and vote Conservative. The truth is that if you are a Barnet resident, the Council isn’t building housing for you. If you are a young renter, living on your own for the first time and in a low-paid job, the Barnet Conservatives don’t want more housing for you. The truth is, you just can’t afford the Barnet Conservatives running the Council again.’
