Welcome to The Barnet Society

The Barnet Society is a non-political organisation that campaigns for the preservation and improvement of the environment of Chipping Barnet and surrounding areas and for protection of the Green Belt.

Founded in 1945 by Trevor Jukes and Gwyneth Cowing, the Society was established to give a voice to local people who believed that the Green Belt needed defending. We continue with that cause today but also campaign on many other local issues. Please refer to our News page for details of current campaigns and other items.

The Barnet Society works to ensure that we get the best for our town and its environs and that any change enhances and improves the area for all who live, work and study here.

High Barnet is a great place to live – open spaces, friendly village atmosphere, prestigious schools and historic public houses. The Barnet Society, the voice for High Barnet and surrounds, is committed to keeping Barnet a welcoming and thriving locality whilst encouraging positive developments.

Our website is a reliable source of news and information about life in our locality and the Society’s work in campaigning for a better Barnet, from Arkley and Hadley to New Barnet and Oakleigh Park.

The Barnet Society is proud to publish a detailed newsletter brimming with local news, community updates, and historical tidbits. Become a member of the Barnet Society now and enjoy early access to our insightful and engaging newsletters for active community participation.

Find Out More About the Barnet Society…

Latest News from The Barnet Society

27 Aug 2026 | Written by Nick Jones
After its re-opening as a community-led public house, High Barnet’s historic hostelry the Black Horse is now being fitted out with an up-to-date kitchen – the latest investment by the three regulars who set up a new company to take on the tenancy.


27 Aug 2026 | Written by Nick Jones
New housing developments around High Barnet and New Barnet are likely to lead to an increase of well over 2,000 in the local population but residents’ groups say there is no sign of health authorities delivering on promises to boost capacity at already over-stretched doctors’ surgeries.


25 Aug 2026 | Written by Nick Jones
Vandalised blocks of flats and maisonettes awaiting demolition are likely to remain an eyesore for months to come following the sudden and unexpected collapse of a deal previously approved by Barnet Council to complete the regeneration of the Dollis Valley Estate.


18 Aug 2026 | Written by Nick Jones
While many natural ponds around the town have dried out due to the prolonged drought and successive heatwaves, the water level at High Barnet’s historic Physic Well has remained constant.


17 Aug 2026 | Written by Nick Jones
A steady and significant improvement in air quality in Barnet High Street is continuing to be recorded by Barnet Council’s scientific services which indicates that levels of nitrogen dioxide should fall at even faster rates with the growth in the number of electric vehicles.


view of derelict Green Belt land near Stirling Corner
14 Aug 2026 | Written by Robin Bishop
Barely five years after Mayor Khan’s current London Plan came into force, he’s consulting on a new one. The good news is that it will be a lot slimmer than the present version. The bad news for Barnet is that he’s upping his target for new homes in our borough, and he’s identified places in the Green Belt where some of them could be built.


Our Work

Barnet Society

The Barnet Society is actively involved in shaping and monitoring development within Barnet. The society engages in pre-application discussions for major developments, providing updates via newsletters and formal responses to planning applications.

In Chipping Barnet Town Centre, we collaborate with local groups to enhance the area’s appearance and vitality. We also participate in various consultations, responding to proposals from local and regional bodies like the London Borough of Barnet and the Mayor of London, with a particular focus on Green Belt issues, reflecting our historical commitment to protecting green spaces since their founding in 1945.

Our involvement extends to submitting detailed reports in newsletters and at committee meetings, discussing environmental and planning matters. Additionally, the society conducts talks and presentations to educate the community about local issues.

Our Membership Newsletter

The Barnet Society

The Barnet Society stands as the voice for High Barnet and its environs, passionately committed to maintaining our community as a welcoming and flourishing place while championing positive developments.

Our website is your premier source for local news and a deep dive into the Society’s efforts to enhance Barnet. It’s an invaluable place for discussing and debating current, sometimes contentious, local issues where our input can be pivotal.

But the real highlight of membership is early access to our quarterly Newsletters. Issued four times a year, these newsletters are cherished for their extensive coverage and in-depth analysis of our work to protect the Green Belt, improve our town centres, and elevate design standards in new housing and commercial projects.

By becoming a member, you’ll not only support these initiatives but also receive these insightful newsletters directly, ensuring you’re always in the loop and part of the conversation shaping our community’s future.

Join the Barnet Society today to have access to informed and engaging community involvement through our newsletters.

If you have some local news, some interesting Barnet history or want to bring something else to our attention then please email us.