Andrew Dismore

The Mayor of London has allowed Barnet Council to refuse a planning application to build 307 flats on the former Homebase site in North Finchley. The move was hailed by Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore and Anne Clarke, who is the Labour candidate for the seat in the forthcoming London Assembly Elections.

At Barnet Council’s planning Committee meeting, Woodhouse Councillor Geof Cooke and West Finchley Councillor Ross Houston, both Labour, spoke against the scheme alongside local residents.

Mr Dismore said:

‘I am pleased that Sadiq Khan has stood with the people of North Finchley against this dreadful scheme. Sadiq has shown that he is prepared to listen to Barnet residents about these controversial schemes, such as on the Albert Road Gassworks site in East Barnet and the Whalebones in High Barnet. I would like to congratulate Cllrs Geof Cooke and Ross Houston on their successful work to persuade both Barnet Council and the Mayor of the insurmountable problems with the scheme.’

Cllr Clarke said:

‘This scheme was simply too tall, and too dense. It would have had too many problems with it. It would have contained no green space and would have been completely out of keeping with the architecture of the area. I have spoken to many residents near the scheme who say the impact of this plan would be catastrophic. Despite the Conservative Government bending the planning rules to favour developers, It has been really good to see Sadiq stand up and be counted.’

ENDS

Notes:

• Andrew Dismore is the Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, Cllr Anne Clarke is Labour Candidate for Barnet and Camden.
• A Copy of the Mayor’s decision letter is here: 6640 Stage II Case Report and here: GLA 6640 Stage 2 letter