Barnet Local Plan alters fears from ‘Save Our Edgware’ campaign.

The campaign group is warning that Barnet Council will allow the area’s tallest buildings to double in height, local democracy reporter Grace Howarth reports.

Save Our Edgware campaigners have called on Barnet Council to amend its Local Plan – which could allow 4,700 new homes to be built in the town centre.

Edgware Community Association chairman Tony Allan said campaigners did not support the council’s proposals to build much more housing in the area over the next decade and beyond.

He said: “We believe they have changed the 2021 document so that it helps (developer) Ballymore or helps the development they are looking for.”

A landmark redevelopment proposal from Ballymore and Transport for London could see thousands of homes built on the current site of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre, near Edgware station, with plans suggesting up to 25 tower blocks of up to 29 storeys in height.

No development application has yet been submitted and plans could still be changed in response to local concerns.

Planning inspectors have recommended a number of changes to the Barnet Local Plan, recently out for public consultation, which Tony said would see the tallest buildings in the area, currently 17 storeys, double in height.

Tony said the original version of the document agreed by the council would not have allowed such tall buildings to be built in Edgware. He also said consultations on the development had “drawn a line” on Edgware Road, excluding many residents from participating.

“A lot of residents, like Stonegrove or Canons Park, have been cut off so they don’t have a say in the development.”

The development’s delivery time could be up to ten years, also prompting concerns from residents who fear they will be without a shopping center for much of that time.

The shopping center currently houses around 1,150 parking spaces, but these could be replaced by just 300 for the new development.

“They didn’t think it through,” Tony added.

Future plans for Edgware have been a hot topic of local debate for several years and during the Local Plan process the council responded to concerns by reducing the total proposed housing target for Edgware from 5,000 to 4,700.

Tony claims the council has continually “accused” campaigners of not wanting development or housing, but said that was “not true”.

A council spokesman said: “The Ballymore proposal has not yet been submitted. Once Ballymore submits its application we will consult fully as per the normal planning process.

“There were no specific height restrictions for Edgware in the supplementary planning document (DOCUP) nor in the draft local plan, which was already in the final stages of development before it was presented to the inspector in 2022.

“For the adoption of the Local Plan, the council was obliged to accept the changes proposed by the inspector. This includes changes to the policy on tall buildings.

“We have just completed the consultation on making the final changes to the Local Plan, which will replace the existing 2012 plan.

“Once the Local Plan is adopted, we will bring in new guidance on height and density.”

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