“ Rob and Tim, obviously you have missed the point we are trying to make here.
We are NOT against the development. We are against the character, density and dangers that one entry/exit point will have. We are objecting to the fact that there is not enough parking therefore where will the extra 100 cars (potentially) park every day/night. On Barnet Road? I look forward to seeing the buses 20k cars ambulances and police trying to maneuver between the cars parked on Barnet road. How utterly short sighted.
We know there is a shortage of housing and we welcome the fact that someone is going to develop the site. But cramming 114 dwellings into an area the size of the development is like trying to cram 40 people into a mini. They will fit but someone will suffocate.
You talk about "affordable housing" - well LH told me their 2 beds will start at £750k and houses at £1.5mio. Is that affordable? To afford that dwelling you need a salary well in excess of £100k and we both know there are not too many people on that salary let alone the nurses and junior doctors. So your argument for affordable housing falls flat.
We have spoken to the council re speeding and they have said that's got nothing to do with them and that is something the police and highways agency need to deal with. Good luck with that.
And Rob, I keeled over at your comments about a relatively small development. Best you take a drive to The Ridgeway (Mill Hill) and see LH development there. Small is relative, once the development is finished it will look like a can of sardines. I've seen them and its not a pretty site.
And you make no mention of the fact that Arkley is made up of detached homes with front and rear gardens and driveways. The development will change the face of Arkley and a precedent will be set. Any developer can come knocking, buy a row of houses and stick up flats. Is that what you want? We moved to Arkley (from S.Hampstead) because of the suburban feeling.
Berkeley homes who in 2008 nearly bought the site (then pulled out because of the financial crisis) were planning to build ONLY detached high end houses. That's what we would like.
LH are cramming as many dwellings to maximise their profits. They don't care about the fallout post development. Do me a favour and go stand by the narrow entry exit on Barnet Road. Think about this, you in the car with your kids trying to get out and some shmeral comes speeding down Wood Street/Galley Lane at 50mph, they have 40yds to stop. Ain't going to happen. Will you be there to pick up the pieces?
I am all for housing and helping the not so well off. But this development will be out of reach of those people anyway.
LH owe it to the community to build a development that is of the same character and density of our properties in the area. They need to add another entry exit point and they need to reduce the number of dwellings so that the residents can park their cars (not to mention visitors) safely.
Have you thought about what Monday's are going to be like when the refuse trucks arrive and try emptying 228+ bins? The traffic will come to a standstill.
I also want to mention that last year Barnet Council rejected a plan by a resident to build a house in their back garden. The reason, out of character and density. The case was appealed to the Secretary of State (Planning Inspectorate) who agreed with the council that the proposal was out of character in Arkley, was too dense (stuffed into a small area) and further would have meant the destruction of TPO trees. There is of course alot of money involved and we all know money talks. But at some stage in our lives, we need to take a hard look at what the people (power) are saying because after all you and I and the objectors reside in Arkley for the beauty and tranquility. In fact I can mention a number of Spurs/Arsenal players and 1D band members who live in the area. They came because of the beauty of Arkley. Let's not destroy Arkley to make a quick buck.
So Rob and Tim if you really want to make a difference and keep Arkley, Arkley....join us. ”