London can be one of the trickiest places to get planning permission in the UK. The recent refusal of some major schemes shows how difficult it can be. Things like height, density, and massing can all lead to opposition, especially in suburban areas. We want to have a closer look here to explore the problem. Then, if you want to enjoy the security of guaranteed rent in Barnet, we are here for you.

Great North Leisure Park, Finchley

There was a meeting of Barnet Council’s planning committee earlier this month to discuss proposals to redevelop the leisure park. With plans from JTP, the proposals by Regal would have seen the creation of 20 new buildings. The tallest of them is 25 storeys.

The major thing is the proposals include a mix of housing, amenities, and commercial space. Key here is it would create 1,485 new homes. Additionally, there would be a new sports pavilion and leisure centre.

While the Regal project got a recommendation for approval from Barnet planning officers, the committee had other ideas. Ultimately, they chose to deny planning permission. There was criticism of the designs, saying the density, height, and bulk would not be appropriate for such a suburban setting. Crucially, committee chair Nigel Young said it would be “overdevelopment”. There were concerns about transport and accessibility too.

High Barnet Station Car Park

The second project was for Barratt London and Places for London. Surprisingly, the designs were by JTP again. This time the plans were to create 283 new homes as well as commercial space in five new buildings. The tallest would be 11 storeys. Get in touch with us if you need guaranteed rent in Barnet.

The local planning officers had given a recommendation to approve this scheme too. However, once again the committee had other ideas. They were critical of the height here, claiming it would be detrimental to the area.

What now?

There was a lot of opposition to both schemes because of fears of the negative impact they could have on the areas. The plans for Finchley got 333 objections. The backlash to the High Barnet plans was even worse, generating over 800 calls to object.

While the failure to get planning permission puts a roadblock in the way of both projects, there is still a chance they could proceed. It will now be in the hands of the Mayor of London. Ultimately, the Mayor’s office may decide to agree with Barnet Council’s decision or could overrule them and give approval.

Ask us about guaranteed rent in Barnet

The chance of nearly 1,800 new homes in Barnet is great news for locals and investors. However, the difficulty with the two projects above shows how important it is to think carefully about designs. Crucially, it is vital to look at the settings and what will be suitable for the local contexts.

If you’re an investor with assets anywhere in London, you can speak to us about a variety of key topics. Most importantly, you can discuss voids and tenancies with us. We can offer guidance as well as solutions like guaranteed rent in Barnet and other locations. It can protect your finances, making it easier to plan your cash flow.

So, if you want some help, speak to us.