The “Local Plan” - A Vision For Barnet, 2021-2036…

In conjunction with the Mayor of London’s “London Plan”, the Borough of Barnet produce a more localised development plan and vision for the Borough, imaginatively called the “local plan”. Over 380 pages the document outlines how the Council intend to shape the area, with housing, leisure, retail and infrastructure investment and development in the coming years.

We’ve harnessed the power of AI (or blatantly cheated, you decide) to bring a condensed version of the plan to you, asking the AI to pay attention to Woodside Park and immediately surrounding areas. We make no commitment to the accuracy of the AI and won’t be reading all 380 pages to confirm the accuracy - however, as a guide to what we can expect, it makes for interesting reading. If you do want some bedtime reading, the full report can be found here. The summary, is as follows….

Summary of the Local Plan:

• Vision and Objectives: The plan aims to enhance Barnet's digital presence, improve customer engagement, and support sustainable growth. It includes policies for affordable housing, high-quality design, vibrant commercial centers, environmental quality, sustainable transport infrastructure, and social and community infrastructure

• Growth Areas: Identified areas for housing and employment growth include Brent Cross, Cricklewood, Colindale, Edgware, Mill Hill East, and Barnet's District Town Centre

• Housing Strategy: Targets 50% affordable housing, prioritizes two, three, and four-bedroom properties, and includes specialist housing for older persons, people with social care needs, and students

• Design and Heritage: Promotes high-quality design, sustainable density, and energy-efficient buildings. It includes policies on extensions, basements, amenity space, landscaping, and heritage conservation

• Transport and Communications: Emphasizes sustainable travel, improvements to public transport infrastructure, parking management, and support for digital communication and connectivity

Specific Impacts and Plans:

• Woodside Park:

  • East: Residential development with limited re-provision of car parking, minimum 95 dwellings. Design must avoid privacy issues, mitigate noise from the railway, and maintain parking restrictions for safety

  • West: Residential development on undeveloped land adjacent to the railway, minimum 86 flats approved. Design must consider surrounding housing context (this is the Pocket House development, now completed)

• Millbrook:

  • Mill Hill East Station: Residential-led mixed-use development with transport infrastructure, minimum 127 dwellings. Design must mitigate noise, preserve mature trees, and ensure effective connectivity to the Strategic Walking Network

  • IBSA House: Residential development, 197 dwellings approved. Design must deliver high-quality residential development, assess traffic impact, and explore footpath connectivity

• Finchley Central:

  • Finchley Central Station: Residential-led mixed-use development with transport infrastructure, minimum 556 dwellings. Potential for tall buildings, must improve station access and public realm, create active frontages, and ensure effective connectivity to the Strategic Walking Network

• North Finchley:

  • 309-319 Ballards Lane: Residential-led mixed-use development with commercial and community uses, minimum 83 dwellings. Design must maintain active frontage and integrate with the town center

  • 811 High Rd & Lodge Lane car park: Residential-led mixed-use development with commercial and public car parking, minimum 132 dwellings. Design must maintain active frontage and integrate with the town center

  • Finchley House: Residential-led mixed-use development with commercial and community uses, minimum 128 dwellings. Design must maintain active frontage and integrate with the town center

  • Tally Ho Triangle: Residential-led mixed-use development with commercial, town center uses, leisure, transport infrastructure, car parking, and community facilities, minimum 205 dwellings. Design must maintain active frontage and integrate with the town center

  • 744-776 High Rd: Residential-led mixed-use development with commercial uses, minimum 112 dwellings. Design must maintain active frontage and integrate with the town center

  • East Wing: Residential-led mixed-use development with commercial and cultural uses, minimum 80 dwellings. Design must maintain active frontage and integrate with the town center

• Whetstone:

  • Allum Way: Residential-led mixed-use development with transport infrastructure, commercial, community, and limited commuter car parking, minimum 599 dwellings. Design must safeguard TfL operational purposes, manage access, and ensure effective connectivity to the Strategic Walking Network