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Category: Planning

Posted on 27 October 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 11 Comments

Underhill school to go ahead

Artist Impression
Artist Impression

After being refused permission in January, Barnet Council’s planning committee has now approved plans for the proposed Ark Academy school on the site of the vacant Underhill stadium, former home of Barnet Football Club.

Continue reading Underhill school to go ahead

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Council, Underhill
Posted on 16 September 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 1 Comment

Eyesore site for sale

The former Marie Foster Centre now to be developed

A derelict former nurses’ home that has been an eyesore for years will finally be demolished under plans to build flats and townhouses on the Marie Foster Care Home site in Wood Street, Barnet.

Continue reading Eyesore site for sale

Category: Planning
Tags: NHS buildings, Theresa Villiers
Posted on 17 August 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 8 Comments

New proposal for Ark

The proposed new Ark Pioneer Academy, facing south west

After failing its first public examination, Ark Pioneer Academy (APA) is back for a re-sit – this time a planning application for a new 1,200-place secondary school and 6th form.

Continue reading New proposal for Ark

Category: Planning
Posted on 10 August 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 22 Comments

Views sought on Whalebones redevelopment

Robin Bishop, chair of the Barnet Society (left) was briefed by Culainn Shanahan on his plans to undertake a research study into future options for safeguarding as much as possible of the Whalebones green space

A survey is to be undertaken to discover the extent of local interest and reaction to the prospect of housing development on the Whalebones green space, between Barnet Hospital and Wood Street.

Continue reading Views sought on Whalebones redevelopment

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Guild of Artists, Whalebones
Posted on 30 July 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 10 Comments

Blot on landscape lives on

The Union Street shop

To the dismay of its owner, Barnet Council has refused planning permission for a semi-derelict shop in Union Street, High Barnet, to be demolished and replaced with either a two-bedroom house or two one-bedroom flats.

Continue reading Blot on landscape lives on

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Council, high barnet
Posted on 28 April 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 13 Comments

Will jobs go for flats?

Paola Sachia opened his carpentry and joinery workshop at Meadow Works six years ago

Up to forty jobs might be lost if planning permission is approved for the construction of two blocks of flats on the site of car repair workshops and other light-industrial premises at Meadow Works, midway between High Barnet and Whetstone.

Continue reading Will jobs go for flats?

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Council, consultation, development, New Barnet, planning, regeneration
Posted on 7 March 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 20 Comments

Housing proposed for Whalebones

Whalebones in the sunlight

Building houses on the fields around Whalebones, between Wood Street and Barnet Hospital, has possibly moved a step closer following an agreement between the landowners and a leading housebuilder, Hill, of Waltham Abbey, Essex.

Continue reading Housing proposed for Whalebones

Category: Planning
Tags: green-belt, Whalebones
Posted on 26 January 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 9 Comments

Underhill super school rejected

The internal courtyard of the proposed school

Barnet Council’s planning committee has voted unanimously to reject plans to build a massive all-through academy school on the site of Barnet Football Club’s former stadium at Underhill.

Continue reading Underhill super school rejected

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Council, Barnet Football Club, Underhill
Posted on 22 January 20174 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 5 Comments

Library protests ignored

A last-minute attempt by the Barnet Society to challenge the loss of community space was unsuccessful

Downsizing of the Chipping Barnet Library – with much of the floor area being converted into commercial office space – is proceeding apace after planning permission was granted by Barnet Council.

Continue reading Library protests ignored

Category: Planning
Tags: Chipping Barnet Library, Theresa Villiers
Posted on 1 November 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones

Bats’ at risk in New Barnet

Victoria Recreation Ground, is to be transformed by a new leisure centre and floodlit tennis courts

Bats, owls, wrens and hedgehogs are among the species that nearby residents fear might be disturbed or even lost because of the construction of a new, two-storey leisure centre in the Victoria Recreation Ground off Lawton Road, New Barnet.

Continue reading Bats’ at risk in New Barnet

Category: Planning
Tag: Barnet Council
Posted on 27 October 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 1 Comment

Opposition to Ark Academy

The former Barnet Football Club stadium at Underhill

The Barnet Society has joined other local organisations and groups – together with many nearby residents – in lodging an objection to the plans to build a school for 1,680 pupils on the site of the former Barnet Football Club stadium at Underhill.

Continue reading Opposition to Ark Academy

Category: Planning
Tag: Barnet Council
Posted on 6 October 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 9 Comments

Bird watchers and nature lovers fight burial ground plan

Dog walker Lisa Young with birdwatcher David Martens both oppose the campaign for a natural burial ground

Local residents, bird watchers and nature lovers are joining forces to step up their campaign against plans to develop a natural burial ground on farmland at Arkley bounded by Barnet Road, Barnet Gate Lane and Mays Lane.

Continue reading Bird watchers and nature lovers fight burial ground plan

Category: Planning
Tags: Arkley, green-belt, high barnet
Posted on 27 June 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 2 Comments

Barnet Society criticisms of Ark Pioneer Academy

View of Ark courtyard - the only playground currently proposed for 600 primary pupils

While we welcome educational use of the site, particularly if coupled with community access to the Academy’s indoor and outdoor sports and other facilities, the current proposal for 1,890 pupils plus 150 or so staff would be an over development.

Continue reading Barnet Society criticisms of Ark Pioneer Academy

Category: Planning
Tag: planning
Posted on 16 June 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 1 Comment

Ark say extra school places needed

Proposed south facing car park of the Ark Pioneer Academy school

Planners and consultants representing the proposed Ark Pioneer Academy to be built on the site of the former Barnet Football Club stadium at Underhill, insist that a new school for almost 2,000 pupils is needed for the northern part of the Borough of Barnet.

Continue reading Ark say extra school places needed

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Football Club, planning, Underhill
Posted on 10 June 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 1 Comment

Elmbank development: a challenge

Shawn Moore, construction director, at the Elmbank housing development, says the steep gradient of the site, looking across Dollis Valley, presents quite a challenge

Building houses and apartment blocks along a narrow, sloping 3.9-acre site, where the land falls sharply by 15 metres, is not a “builder’s dream” says Linden Home’s construction director Shawn Moore.

Continue reading Elmbank development: a challenge

Category: Planning
Tags: Arkley, Elmbank
Posted on 8 June 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones

New plans for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice

Architect Barnaby Johnstone (left) with trustee Mary O’Toole and the charity’s chief executive Ru Watkins

A radical redesign has been unveiled of the proposed new Noah’s Ark children’s hospice to be built at the environment centre off Byng Road, Barnet.

Continue reading New plans for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice

Category: Planning
Tag: Noah's Ark Hospice
Posted on 19 May 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 11 Comments

Staggered start times at massive new school

A response to plans for the Ark Academy School will be prepared by Robin Bishop (left), who leads the Barnet Society’s planning and environment team, and Peter Bradburn, who advises on transport issues

The Ark Academy network says it intends to work with planners at Barnet Council to try to meet local anxieties over proposals for a super-size, £31 million new school to be built on the site of Underhill, the former stadium of Barnet Football Club.

Continue reading Staggered start times at massive new school

Category: Planning
Tag: planning
Posted on 9 May 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 3 Comments

Critical times for building in Barnet

Courtesy Morrow + Lorraine
Courtesy Morrow + Lorraine

The combination of planning relaxations, housing demand, property prices and uncertainty as to Council intentions makes this a critical time for building in Chipping Barnet.

Continue reading Critical times for building in Barnet

Category: Planning
Tags: Brake Shear House, Chipping, Elmbank, NHS buildings, planning
Posted on 8 May 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 18 Comments

New academy school plans on display

The dis-used stadium fenced off and awaiting approval to become the site of super-sized new academy school

After a year’s delay, and a dearth of information, public exhibitions are finally being arranged to allow public consultation over the proposals to build a new free school with over 1,800 places on the site of the Underhill Stadium, formerly the home of Barnet Football Club.

Continue reading New academy school plans on display

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Football Club, planning
Posted on 19 April 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 8 Comments

Threat to our green landscape

King George V Playing Field – the Council believe, a 'low quality, low value' link in the Dollis Brook green chain

A lot of new housing is coming to Barnet over the next few years. In the Council’s Housing Strategy 2015-25, it expected to be able to build 20,000 homes. But the latest forecast is that some 30,000 will be needed, so more sites must be found.

Continue reading Threat to our green landscape

Category: Planning
Tag: planning
Posted on 5 April 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones

Threat to Whalebones receding?

Blue-whale jaw bones dating from the 1930s stand at the Wood Street entrance to the Whalebones estate

Any planning application to build houses on the 14 acres of woods and farmland at Whalebones – between Wood Street and Barnet Hospital – is “highly unlikely” to be approved, says the Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers.

Continue reading Threat to Whalebones receding?

Category: Planning
Tags: Theresa Villiers, Whalebones
Posted on 5 April 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones

Bulldozers move in at Elmbank

Derelict nurses’ home at Elmbank now being demolished

Work has finally started at the Elmbank site, opposite the Arkley public house, to demolish derelict nurses’ homes that have been an eyesore for years. 

Continue reading Bulldozers move in at Elmbank

Category: Planning
Tags: Elmbank, NHS buildings
Posted on 21 March 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 9 Comments

Another historic building to be converted for housing

The Cruciform building at the NIMR

Barratt London have released the first details of their plans to build up to 450 homes in and around the site of one of Barnet’s most iconic landmarks, the former headquarters of the National Institute for Medical Research on the Ridgeway, Mill Hill.

Continue reading Another historic building to be converted for housing

Category: Planning
Tags: Mill Hill, planning
Posted on 10 March 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 2 Comments

Affordable workshops a priority for Brake Shear House site

With  planning permission, demolition of the Brake Shear House complex could start by the end of the year

A joint approach is being made by local groups to try to ensure that the new office block to be built as part of the Brake Shear House redevelopment, just off Barnet High Street, includes as much affordable workspace as possible.

Continue reading Affordable workshops a priority for Brake Shear House site

Category: Planning
Tag: Brake Shear House
Posted on 26 February 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 2 Comments

Go ahead for 114 homes on Elmbank

Embank development to go ahead

Planning approval has finally been given for the demolition of one of High Barnet’s worst eyesores, the derelict blocks of nurses’ homes opposite the Arkley public house.

Continue reading Go ahead for 114 homes on Elmbank

Category: Planning
Tags: Chipping Barnet, Elmbank
Posted on 9 February 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 17 Comments

Arkley residents against Elmbank project

Serena Rushton of Stop the Over Development of Arkley outside the Elmbank site on Barnet Road

SODA – Stop the Over Development of Arkley – is a new campaign group established by local residents to campaign against plans to build what they say are too many flats and houses on the Elmbank site, opposite the Arkley public house.

Continue reading Arkley residents against Elmbank project

Category: Planning
Tags: Arkley, Elmbank
Posted on 1 February 20164 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 3 Comments

MP steps up fight to save Whalebones

Peter Mason, who will be 80 in April, has run a small holding on farmland at Whalebones since 1962

Opposition is mounting to the possibility that 14 acres of woods and farmland at Whalebones, between Wood Street and Barnet Hospital, might be zoned for housing and community use.

Continue reading MP steps up fight to save Whalebones

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Council, high barnet, Theresa Villiers, Whalebones
Posted on 8 December 20154 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 1 Comment

MP willing to confront bulldozers

An aerial view of the woods and farmland around Whalebones Park

Responding to fears about the possible zoning for housing of the woods and fields around Whalebones Park, the Chipping Barnet MP Mrs Theresa Villiers says she is ready to “lie down in front of the bulldozers” in any fight to preserve a cherished open space.

Continue reading MP willing to confront bulldozers

Category: Planning
Tags: planning, Theresa Villiers, Whalebones
Posted on 4 December 20154 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 1 Comment

Barnet Museum plans rejected

The Barnet Museum, Wood Street

Volunteers at Barnet Museum say they are shocked and dismayed that after months of discussion Barnet Council’s planning committee has refused to approve proposals for a rear extension and disabled access.

Continue reading Barnet Museum plans rejected

Category: Planning
Tags: Barnet Museum, planning
Posted on 1 December 20154 February 2025 by Nick Jones — 9 Comments

Whalebones trustees reassurance

Peter Mason 79, with his poultry flock, has been farming at Whalebones for the last 50 years

Trustees for the Gwyneth Cowing estate have given an assurance to the Barnet Society that any development of Whalebones Park for residential and community use would be of “high quality” and would retain as “much natural habitat as possible”. 

Continue reading Whalebones trustees reassurance

Category: Planning
Tags: planning, Whalebones

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NEW: Objections to proposals for a new travellers’ site in Arkley

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NEW Sculpture exhibition by Barnet care home resident

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Justin Chin posted a comment on Small stretch of Barnet Playing Fields at Underhill set aside for new Dollis Valley community orchard   
"So any orchard gets commissioned instead of a football stadium which creates a community atmosphere and jobs. But don’t worry,..."
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"Who needs scores of jobs or value to the local community and economy when you can have an orchard. But..."
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Local resident posted a comment on Landmark moment for recently opened Barnet secondary school which is celebrating pupils’ success in gaining places at leading universities
"TTA didn't have the capacity to add so many students. Ark has been a tremendous success"
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Peter Lyons posted a comment on Small stretch of Barnet Playing Fields at Underhill set aside for new Dollis Valley community orchard   
"I am appalled by the use of this term Grey Belt. It has crept in to everyday usage when referring..."
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Bruce Mercer posted a comment on High Barnet to have two community-inspired public houses within 300 yards of each other and each run by local residents
"I would hardly call those closures recent , it must be nigh on 30 years that the most of those..."
7 hours ago

Justin Chin posted a comment on Small stretch of Barnet Playing Fields at Underhill set aside for new Dollis Valley community orchard   
"So any orchard gets commissioned instead of a football stadium which creates a community atmosphere and jobs. But don’t worry,..."
3 days ago

Jim posted a comment on Small stretch of Barnet Playing Fields at Underhill set aside for new Dollis Valley community orchard   
"Who needs scores of jobs or value to the local community and economy when you can have an orchard. But..."
3 days ago

Local resident posted a comment on Landmark moment for recently opened Barnet secondary school which is celebrating pupils’ success in gaining places at leading universities
"TTA didn't have the capacity to add so many students. Ark has been a tremendous success"
3 days ago

Peter Lyons posted a comment on Small stretch of Barnet Playing Fields at Underhill set aside for new Dollis Valley community orchard   
"I am appalled by the use of this term Grey Belt. It has crept in to everyday usage when referring..."
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