Agenda item

Mr Eric Holroyd made a presentation to the Committee updating them on the West Hendon Regeneration plans.

Mr Holroyd told the Committee that Phase 3a of the scheme was completed and work was progressing on Phase 3b and 3c and updated the Committee on the parameters of the buildings and surrounding landscape.

Mr Holroyd said that the planning application for Phase 4had been submitted to Barnet Council and consultations were carried out earlier in the year. He said he expected the decision to be made in March or April 2017. Mr Holroyd said that work would then take place on the site until 2019.   Currently Barnet Council was administering 2 Compulsory Purchase Orders (and which will only be used as a last resort) for the land required to deliver Phase 4.  A Public Enquiry was due to take place towards the end of March 2017.

Mr Holroyd updated the Committee on the Cool Oak Bridge and said that a planning application for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge had been submitted to Barnet Council in January 2017.   He said that the bridge would provide improved access from the development to Woodfield park and West Hendon playing field.

Mr Holroyd updated the Committee on the removal of trees on the estate, he said he was not able to get details on the total number of trees removed, however he informed the Committee that during Phase 3 the intention was to retain as many of the trees as possible. He said that out of the 50 trees, half of them are planned to be removed and replaced with 145 trees, which would significantly increase the number of trees within the estate. Mr Holroyd said plans for the trees in later phases were still to be agreed, but consultation with Barnet Council would happen before any plans were put in place.

Mr Hider enquired about proposals for the land on the opposite side of the road to the estate. Mr Holroyd said that the Canals and River Trust had leased this land to Barnet Council and who then leased this to Barratts. He said in the longer term Barnet Council would look at improvements via s106 and there were plans to provide a type of games area in the location after consultation had been completed. Mr Hider asked if they were open to proposals on what the land could be used for. Mr Holroyd said that this would be a decision for Barnet Council once lease of the land had terminated. Mr Gunyon said that alternative ideas could be considered at the point of consultation.

Ms Murphy asked about changes to buildings on the Broadway and whether older buildings would be demolished to open up the junction during this phase of building. Mr Holroyd said the Broadway had relatively few buildings being demolished as part of the scheme and smaller properties will be removed where the junctions require widening. He said that there was a piece of work being conducted with Barnet Council to look at the retail strategy for the West Hendon Broadway. Ms Murphy also asked about the buildings on Station Road on the north side as there was a nest of House Martins  colony present. Mr Holroyd confirmed that they were keen to maintain and protect all life and appropriate investigations would be performed if the building was directly affected. Mr Beddard said the colony situated here was the largest in London. Mr Holroyd told the Committee no work was planned on these buildings for at least a couple of years which would give them time to look into plans. Mr Holroyd said he would discuss the issue with colleagues and all wildlife would be taken into consideration before any work commenced.  Mr Beddard said that alternative nests would need to be sought in a suitable site nearby, close to the reservoir with feeding opportunities for them. Mr Cohen said it was critical that new nests were placed facing the same direction as the existing nests.

Mr Cohen said that any felling of tress should be conducted outside of the breeding season. Mr Holroyd said he would consult with an ecologist and that in terms of the 25 trees being taken down over the 4 or 5 year period, these would be removed as late as possible. Mr Holroyd said a survey is conducted prior to every tree being taken down and could be delayed if needed, he stressed that everything possible will be done to mitigate the effects on wildlife.

Mr Chung said that the trees being removed were 50 or 60 years old and the new trees planted would therefore not be a good replacement. Mr Holroyd said that only trees on the site were being replaced and none on the Welsh Harp itself were affected. Mr Chung also enquired about where the new play area would be situated. Mr Holroyd said the ball court was due to be removed from the estate, with two new bridges built across to playing fields. He said they were currently working with Barnet Council for provision of the ball court and once a suitable location had been identified they would fund the development, residents would be consulted first on the best location.

Mr Johnson asked whether Herbert Road would remain open. Mr Holroyd said as he understood it the direction of the one way traffic would be reversed down this road, however the road would remain open and stil be one-way. He said there were individual section agreements for the junctions and these would be publicised to ensure people understand the changes and how they will affect the community. Mr Holroyd also said that work on the bridge would commence in autumn 2017 and was due to be completed by spring 2018, avoiding the breeding season. The pre-fabrication of the bridge would be conducted off site to minimise the effect on the Welsh Harp and then craned into place within 1 or 2 weeks minimising the impact on the Welsh Harp.

Councillor Langleben reiterated to the Committee that he and his colleagues opposed the principle of the scheme due to the loss of hundreds of homes. He asked that the Council commit to re-house within the borough  all the residents made homeless as a result.