News from The Barnet Society

Two building projects under construction in Chipping Barnet’s Conservation Areas are flouting planning laws. They are tests of Barnet Council’s will to enforce its planning decisions. They’re merely the most flagrant of numerous planning abuses that are gradually degrading our Conservation Areas.

This article highlights the Barnet Society’s concerns related to the sweeping reforms announced last week by the Government, which are due to come into force from September.

The previous update of 29th June 2019 referred to the progress made by the Darlands Conservation Trust since their inception in September 2017.

The landscape of the Dollis Brook, from its sources near Moat Mount to Whetstone and beyond, is a green lung for residents and visitors to Chipping Barnet, and a vital wildlife corridor. But it’s constantly threatened by human intervention.

This is the Green Belt north of Barnet (top left). Protected from development for two-thirds of a century, it’s now threatened by the expansion of Potters Bar and Borehamwood, ‘garden villages’ at Redwell and Rabley Green and housing at Ganwick Corner. Head north from Barnet, and you’re immediately in countryside.

Just south-west of Arkley is a tract of unspoilt countryside – remarkable for its survival within London’s boundary, and the core of a new regional park being considered by Barnet Council to promote a greener, healthier and wilder Barnet.

Last month the Barnet Society launched an email consultation of its members about the current planning application to build 652 flats in the Victoria Quarter. 100% of our respondents so far are opposed to it. This would be the biggest development in the environs of Chipping Barnet for over half a century.

Barnet Gate Wood is one of Chipping Barnet’s extraordinary but under-visited green assets – and if you go now you’ll find an incredible froth of purple rhododendron bloom.  Barnet Gate Wood is an ancient wood in Arkley, just south of Barnet Road and west of Hendon Wood Lane.

May 2020 isn’t just the 75th anniversary of VE Day – it’s also exactly 75 years since the Barnet Society was founded. As if in celebration, the Hawthorn trees planted on Whitings Hill by Society volunteers 25 years ago have been decked in glorious blossom. But why was the Society founded then?

The Barnet Society has seen the latest proposals for the High Barnet Station site. Designs won’t be finalised for several weeks, but not a lot has changed since the public consultation last November. This is the biggest planning issue for High Barnet since The Spires 30 years ago.

The first of eight trees have been planted in the High Street. They are the bitter-sweet culmination of a very long campaign by the Barnet Society and other local organisations.