Transport for London bans flats protest rally outside High Barnet station – but across the road residents launch their “New Battle of Barnet”
A mass protest against plans for five high-rise blocks of flats on the car park at High Barnet tube station attracted over 250 residents who were greeted with toots of support from the horns of passing motorists.
London Transport moved swiftly to warn of prosecutions if protestors gathered around the station entrance, so the rally was switched to the other side of Barnet Hill.
Fifteen posters warning of the consequences of any “unauthorised protests or gathering or loitering” had been fixed to walls and fences all around the lower entrance.
A posse of four members of London Underground staff stood at the station forecourt and were on hand in case of any breach of Transport for London byelaws.
Despite the ban on meeting in the area around the station’s lower entrance, the groups organising the protest – Barnet Society, Barnet Residents Association and Hands Off high Barnet – were determined to show the strength of opposition to a redevelopment they argue is the “wrong scheme, in the wrong place”.
As supporters were marshalled back up the slope of the station entrance to cross the road to the grassy bank on the opposite side of Barnet Hill, there were muttered protests at what was seen as TfL’s high-handed approach in banning a rally on their land.
In particular, the wording of the notices – suggesting their presence might lead to prosecutions – led some residents to complain that TfL seemed to be turning High Barnet into a police state where free speech and protest were being suppressed.
While remaining friendly and approachable, the four London Underground staff on duty outside the station entrance were a clear indication that TfL meant business – the rally had apparently been banned on grounds of health and safety.
As the crowd of protestors continued to grow in size – approaching 250 people or more on some estimates – the organisers said they were delighted by the turn out.
Four thousand leaflets had been distributed calling for support, reminding residents they had until Friday 19 September to register their objections with Barnet Council.
Gordon Massey, who analysed the scheme on behalf of Barnet Residents Association, told the crowd they had to recognise that TfL – through its subsidiary Places for London – was determined to build as many homes as possible on spare land at London Underground stations.
“283 flats on this site are far too many and the design of them is absolutely dreadful. Just listen to the noise from the road and think what it will be like living there.”
He praised the joint effort there had been with the Barnet Society whose planning and environment spokesman Robin Bishop said the society’s team approach would allow them to present Barnet Council with “a substantial submission” detailing the faults in the scheme.
As the rally continued, hand-made posters held up by the grandchildren of Jane Ouseley (far left) amused passing motorists who tooted their horns in support of the message: “No tower blocks in High Barnet”.
Summing up the defiance of the crowd was a slogan on one of the posters: “The new Battle of Barnet”.
Another poster on the roadside at the entrance to the station left passers-by in no doubt about what the protest was all about.
Ken Rowland, chair of the residents’ association, said the size of the crowd showed why residents felt so strongly about an “appalling and monstrous” development.
“We need to stop this…the children living in homes in these blocks will not be able to open the windows…they will be overlooking an electricity sub station and railway tracks, and it is not the appropriate place for a development of this size.”
Kim Ambridge, a founder member of Hands-Off High Barnet which fought successfully against a 2019 plan – later withdrawn – for high-rise flats, deplored the loss of the station car park.
Her concern was reinforced by Barnet Vale Councillor David Longstaff who thought that by building over a well-lit car park, TfL was failing to acknowledge the fears of women arriving at the High Barnet station late at night.
At the end of the rally the crowd showed their contempt for TfL’s ban on the protest outside the tube station by marching up the High Street to the parish church of St John the Baptist.
A final photo-opportunity underlined another message of from the rally – that the proposed 11-storey block of flats at the station would break the historic skyline of High Barnet and compete with the commanding presence of the church tower.
Tags: #Barnet Council #Development #High Barnet #Planning
20 thoughts on “Transport for London bans flats protest rally outside High Barnet station – but across the road residents launch their “New Battle of Barnet””
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I totally agree with all of the comments it will be a huge mistake for these ugly multi story flats to go ahead and lower the tone of the lovely area we have lived in for so long . It will add to the over crowding eg roads schools and particularly doctors surgeries and last but not least the tubes themselves.
Wendy Humphrey
Plenty of people live in flats all over London, they’re not slums. I take the train to High Barnet for a day out in the country from Islington, so the flat dwellers will have direct access to what I have to travel for, nice for them and better than a high rise in the centre of London.
Protestors are simply trying to stop, others from having what they already have. Selfish and thoughtless
TFL banning a demonstration is quite disturbing… it’s clear that they plan to go ahead with this with a bulldoze mindset.
I have no objections with building in the site but the height problem is too big to ignore.
We also have to acknowledge that without the proper protocols in place they aren’t going to help anyone who’s struggling to buy housing, they aren’t going to be affordable and will be bought by people to rent out. Putting money in the pockets of the wrong people.
The first fix is simple. Remove some floors.
The second should be simple. Sell to only First Time Buyers & Families.
The “Stop the Slum” leaflet reveals the real objection once the mask slips. It isn’t about eyesores, children’s play parks, or obscure planning regulations. It’s about keeping out the kinds of people you imagine live in flats. That’s ugly, classist, and those behind it should be ashamed.
London is in the grip of a housing crisis. We need millions of new homes, and a shipping container yard plus a car park next to a Tube station is one of the most obvious places to build the dense housing we desperately need.
Er OK Rob. But what if I don’t want dense housing such as tower blocks in my town? What if I think tower blocks would look unsightly and ruin the appearance of the town, what if I would rather they limit the sprawl of London and encourage growth in other, less over-populated towns and cities? All you’re doing is bulling people by accusing them of prejudice just because they have a different opinion to you. I think the shame is on you here.
The problem is the community has tried to engage with both the council and the developer but they have completed ignored what were constructive comments about how a better scheme could be developed on this site. Sadly it will become a slum and in particular unfit for children. For example one children’s play area have been constructed in steep sloped passage way under the blocks, they call the undercroft play area but it breaches just about every requirement of the London Plan policy on children’s play areas. It also breaches distance between habitable room window and there is a proliferation of single aspect flats again counter top London Plan policy. Tfl and their developer could have made changes but they are entirely focused on cramming in as many flats as possible irrespective of the living standards. Banning protectors signals their hubris and desperation.
@John D
This WILL NOT be a slum.
It is a planning application that needs revision based on it not complying with Planning Policy guidelines.
For reference this is what a slum is and there is no chance of this:
UN-Habitat Criteria for Slum Households
A household is considered part of a slum if it lacks one or more of the following:
– Durable housing that withstands extreme climate
– Sufficient living space (no more than 3 people per room)
– Access to safe, affordable water
– Adequate sanitation
– Security of tenure (protection from eviction)
These protests are typical nimby points. Barnet, and London as a whole is in dire need of more homes. This development will bring homes, jobs and investment. They should be affordable, and that area is an eye sore already but nobody had a fuss. Almost everyone at this protest was older people who most likely have likely already bought a home and no longer have to worry about the rapidly increasing cost of buying a home. This development should go ahead provided the homes will be affordable and safe. Not to mention this article is ludicrous, with phrases like “turning barnet into a police state” is laughable, because TFL gate staff stood outside of the building they work at. The building should go ahead and whoever wrote this article should change occupation.
Agree 100%. I’m entirely disgusted by this horrid NIMBY campaign and the people involved should be ashamed of themselves
2.5 years of weekend parking chaos at Arnos Grove and nothing has been done. It’s ridiculous, Enfield Councils solutions is longer hours and larger CPZ with us residents picking up the bill!
It is a cynical profit over community scheme. Yes, London needs more housing and yes, the HB station site is in need of improvement. But surely a better, more considerate, scheme can be proposed?!
This must not be allowed to go ahead. It is totally in the wrong place. The car park is always at capacity and this will cause a lot more cars on surrounding roads. Our road in particular is not covered by the CPZ and is only a short walk. It’s already used by commuters and this will cause more cars parking on side roads.
I really think the way forward on this is too actively engage with the council and developers around what residents do want for this site. Barnet badly needs new homes and specifically affordable homes as the population ages and the proportion of working age people resident in Chipping Barnet falls. From experience, resident groups that just protest rather than to advocate alternatives, will be dismissed.
It was shocking to see ‘Stop the Slum’ on a flyer which is wholly misleading. Similarly, subjective comments about the new homes/residents attracting anti-social behaviour or reducing house prices devalue the debate.
There are clear benefits, but there need to be tweaks that add social value.
* The station site is a brownfield site and development saves the green belt.
* The number of apartments is suitable however there need to be design changes.
* The public realm could be reduced to enable lower building heights.
* Abrams House could be demolished and TfL accommodation incorporated into the residential blocks- this frees up space on the site.
* The tallest building should be no more than 7-8 storeys (with underground levels) and should be sited at the lowest part of the site not the highest.
* The loss of car parking needs to be addressed through a mix of solutions such as alternative park and ride sites, CPZs, short-stay and drop-off zones.
* Create a safer walkway upto the Meadway exit
* Some underground car parking can be integrated into the ground/basement levels of buildings.
* Some buses should have a turning circle within the station square
Let’s not turn this into a battle that will fuel bitterness.
The problem is the community has tried to engage with both the council and the developer but they have completed ignored what were constructive comments about how a better scheme could be developed on this site. Sadly it will become a slum and in particular unfit for children. For example one children’s play area have been constructed in steep sloped passage way under the blocks, they call the undercroft play area but it breaches just about every requirement of the London Plan policy on children’s play areas. It also breaches distance between habitable room window and there is a proliferation of single aspect flats again counter top London Plan policy. Tfl and their developer could have made changes but they are entirely focused on cramming in as many flats as possible irrespective of the living standards. Banning protectors signals their hubris and desperation.
“The community” definitely has not tried to engage. All I have seen from “the community” (in reality the loudest parts of the community, who are primarily retired and therefore have the time on their hands to “protest”) are hysterical comments and an uncompromising attitude You yourself have described the proposed development as a slum which is absolutely ridiculous.
If you read the details of the Barnet Society objection (setting aside the unfortunate ‘Slum’ messaging, which I disagree with too), and reading the planning application – there are numerous valid concerns local residents could have with the proposal both for existing, and for future residents on the site.
My personal view is that the site is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redevelop the station gateway to Barnet – but opportunities around improving the station environment more broadly are being missed. Especially better interchange with buses. But also, pedestrian access from the other side of the tracks, and improving the accessible access to the station which is pretty inadequate.
Going back to community engagement: we know that at the public meetings held, the community raised concerns about height and that the height exceeds that determined in the local plan. Even our pro-building local MP raised the concerns about the height being proposed. Yet: the developers came back with an even taller proposal at the planning stage. This strikes me as developers ignoring community sentiment.
Perhaps if the developers had taken a more pragmatic approach and come forward with a proposal that showed any hint of listening to the concerns – the community response wouldn’t be quite so strong.
I imagine a far muted response if the proposal came in closer to the local plan guidelines on height, perhaps with a tradeoff of slightly higher buildings in return for the retention of some of the station parking underneath? Indeed – something like this might even get local comments of support!
I completely agree with the residents, protestors, the other commenters on this and the other articles on Barnet Society about this plan, as well as the 293 (and counting) unanimous objections logged on the Planning Application site.
Is there not also a bigger story here where this is yet another example of democracy being taken away from us by banning the public from protesting on public land? Because the last time I checked, I thought the TfL is a public body so surely the car park isn’t strictly private land that they have the authority to usher the protesters away from? Those geniuses at TfL probably shot themselves in the foot though by forcing the protestors to relocate to the other side of the hill, because they were probably far more visible over there!
If they were ALL affordable properties then maybe locals wouldn’t be so objected to it. Not many local young people could afford a new property at most of the prices that they will be listed for.
However, to build on another station car park is ridiculous and the amount of extra traffic that will be around because of it is mad to think of when it is already awful driving in Barnet as it is. We can’t keep building properties everywhere and anywhere, especially if they aren’t going to be bought by the typical local person.
These developers don’t care because they won’t be living there.
I completely agree with every resident that has concerns. Too large and too ugly, it will completely change the skyline and the surrounding area
Do not let these flats be built – it’s completely the wrong place for such a development!