Agenda item

Due to the level of interest and other Members being present the Chairman agreed to take the Grange Development Outline Business Case, Agenda item 15, first.

The Chairman introduced the report which included an exempt section.  Officers reported that they had reduced the size of the development in response to concerns and had secured a Greater London Authority (GLA) grant to support the provision of affordable housing.

The Chairman read out a statement from a member of the public who was unable to attend.

Councillor C Farrier spoke as a ward councillor and noted that there had been a number of positive schemes already completed by Barnet Homes.  They accepted that the facilities in the Grange Estate needed to be updated and improved.  However, the proposal failed to do this and removed communal facilities and green spaces.  Previous surveys had highlighted a shortfall in greenspace and a promise had been made when the flats were built that this land would be retained.  The consultation was still ongoing and thus this felt premature.  They weren’t against development, but this was not felt to be appropriate.

Members debated the site and consultation.  There were concerns as to whether the consultation had been effective and the impact of the development.  There was support from local residents for development in the area as a whole.

Clarification was sought as to whether any of the Members were against the proposals?  In response some were unable to comment on the financial case but felt that it was too early in the process for a decision to be made.  They were not against the provision of affordable housing but wanted a rethink on the greenspace.

It was proposed by Councillor R Houston and seconded by Councillor P Edwards that the Committee only note that the planning application has been submitted and delete reference to full permission being given.  This was to allow further consultation and options to be considered.

The Chairman asked for confirmation of the potential impact of changing the timescales.  Officers stated that although the funding was secured this was on the basis that works started by March 2023.  It was not possible to make changes to the planning and procurement processes.   The Chairman called for the vote on the amendment:

For: 4 Votes

Against: 5 Votes

The amendment was LOST.

The issue having been debated and the amendment rejected the Chairman moved to the vote on the officer’s recommendations:

For: 5 Votes

Abstain: 4 Votes

RESOLVED that the Committee:

1.    Notes and approves the Outline Business Case for development of sites at Tarling Road, Brownswell Road, High Road and Central Avenue on The Grange Estate, as shown on the appended red line plan, enabling the planning application to be submitted.

2.    Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the Housing and Growth Committee:

I.             To approve the Full Business Case for Barnet Homes to appoint a contractor and deliver the scheme to completion

II.            To authorise the negotiation and settlement of any lawful claims or compensation payments consequential upon the implementation of the development scheme

III.          To approve the implementation of a Local Lettings Policy, if there is sufficient highly banded local demand in the period before the development completes.

3.    Note that the updated programme budget was presented to the Policy & Resources Committee in February 2022 for information.

Further, that the Officer Recommendations, 4 and 5, set out in the Exempt report, Agenda Item 23 also be approved.