Transport for London grilled at public meeting on its proposals for High Barnet Station car park

Chipping Barnet constituents filled most of the pews in St John the Baptist’s Church on Thursday evening, 20 March 2025, to tell Transport for London (TfL) what they thought about their proposal to build 300 flats next to High Barnet Station. After a passionate and occasionally acrimonious meeting, the TfL team will have no illusions about local opposition to their development. But the audience were also left in no doubt that – barring unforeseen constructional challenges or political events – we have little chance of securing more than a few tweaks to the design of the buildings or their outdoor spaces.

The plans were exhibited for public consultation at the end of February and presented at a TfL webinar on 4 March. They can be viewed online here, as can the Barnet Society’s response to them.

Dan Tomlinson MP called this meeting on The future of High Barnet station car park to give residents another chance to ask questions and pass their comments on the scheme directly to the developers. These are TfL’s property company Places for London and their house-building partner Barratt London. Patrick Clark headed their panel, which included members of their design team.

Opening the meeting, Mr Tomlinson explained that he himself is neutral about the scheme. Barnet’s recently adopted Local Plan designates the site for 292 homes, and the Labour Government and Mayor of London are committed to delivering much-needed new housing. If the Council refuses the scheme it will go to the Planning Inspectorate, who are almost certain to approve it.

But Mr Tomlinson wanted to ensure that, if it is approved by Barnet’s planning committee, the developers will have listened directly to people who live in Chipping Barnet, and the designs made as good as they can be. As an example, he pointed to the public footpath ramp that he has insisted must be improved with better lighting and benches. He also said that TfL has agreed in principle to move the northbound bus stop closer to Station Approach.

During a brief overview of the scheme by Patrick Clark, the mood of the audience quickly became apparent. His remark, ‘This will be a car-free scheme’ was greeted by hollow laughter and his promise of ‘four drop-off points’ by ironic applause.

Mr Tomlinson then invited questions from the audience around three topics: transport and connectivity, the design (particularly its height) and other issues including car parking.

A question about the impact of building work on the neighbourhood was answered by reassurance that a Construction Management Plan would be agreed with the Council, and that ‘just-in-time’ management of construction vehicles would minimise disruption. The added difficulties if Barnet Football Club stadium is built nearby at the same time were not addressed, however.

Members of the audience commented that the six proposed Blue Badge bays are not enough for current, let alone future, needs.

The panel was asked where residents of new flats will park. The reply that they will not be allowed to apply for Resident Parking Permits did not go down well.

A questioner noted that the Northern Line links High Barnet to many hospitals, and many nurses and other staff members use the tube early or return late after night shifts. Women in particular need the security of using their own cars at those times of the day. 

Another questioner deplored TfL’s reluctance to embrace any of the wider opportunities offered by the project such as improving cycling experience and safety.

Gordon Massey asserted that the current proposals ‘will take us back to 1872’ when there was no car park. It was in 1934 that the Barnet Residents Association first called for the lack of a bus stop on the station forecourt to be remedied.

A member of the audience speculated that TfL’s ruling out of buses on the station forecourt was driven not so much by technical constraints but by their wish to protect the bus schedules. That prompted a burst of clapping.

An even bigger round of applause followed another speaker’s observation that ‘It’s clear to me that this is a done deal.’

Regarding design, Mr Tomlinson and others pointed out that the Local Plan states that seven storeys is the maximum height for this location in Barnet. The planning consultant on the panel replied that London Plan Policy D9 allows greater height if certain criteria are satisfied.

There was universal agreement that TfL’s team must supply visualisations to prove their contention that the buildings would not interrupt key views. Mr Tomlinson strongly supported this request.

Katy Staton, a landscape architect, said the drawings were not adequate for this stage; more detail is essential. She also asked if the designs take into account the new building safety requirements such as for two staircases. The panel’s architect assured everyone that the buildings would comply with the latest Building Regulations.

Under other matters, a questioner asked what would be done to relieve pressure on local services. Mr Tomlinson said that he had already asked the Council for, and had been given, data on pupil numbers and the ability of local schools to accommodate them. Due mainly to the decline in the local birth-rate, there would be spare capacity. He reminded the audience that the Government is already investing heavily in the NHS. He is in regular dialogue with local GPs and assured us that additional funding would be available. If health services don’t improve by the next election, he quipped, ‘I’m a goner’.

Another questioner was worried about the safety risks to the 200 or so children likely to be living in the flats, especially from vehicles, since the plans showed no provision for emergency access, deliveries or visitors.

Nick Saul, a retired civil engineer, drew the panel’s attention to the fact that most of Barnet hillside was an artificial construct, and that the best structural advice should be obtained before a final commitment was made to proceed with the project.

The biggest boo of the evening followed a comment from the floor that TfL had admitted that a proportion of the flats could be sold to overseas investors. But 90 minutes was up and no time was left for a satisfactory answer to this or many other questions, though Mr Tomlinson invited the audience to let him know about any other concerns.

Additional reporting by Frances Wilson