The Planning Committee of Barnet Council met on Wednesday 15 July 2026, approving three significant planning applications. These included the temporary expansion of Queenswell Infant and Nursery School to accommodate SEND pupils, the installation of an Eruv in Hadley Wood, and substantial amendments to the Silk Stream development in Hyde Estate Road.

Queenswell Infant and Nursery School Expansion Approved

The committee unanimously approved plans for the erection of a single-storey modular nursery building and a temporary five-year SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) classroom block at Queenswell Infant and Nursery School in Whetstone. The development will provide 35 urgently needed SEND school places for children with complex needs. While this involves the temporary loss of open space, officers deemed the public benefits of providing these crucial educational facilities to outweigh the harm. Mitigation measures for noise during extended construction hours were discussed and agreed upon.

Hadley Wood Eruv Approved

Plans for the establishment of an Eruv in Hadley Wood, involving the installation of poles, wires, and arches at three locations, were unanimously approved. The Eruv is a religious boundary that allows observant Jewish individuals to carry items on the Sabbath. While some residents raised concerns about visual intrusion, pedestrian safety on narrow pavements, and potential harm to heritage assets, the committee accepted that the proposed structures were designed to be discreet and mimic existing street furniture. The benefits to the Jewish community, particularly for those with mobility issues, were considered to outweigh the limited visual impact and potential harm to the Green Belt.

Silk Stream Development Amendments Approved

The committee unanimously approved significant amendments to the Silk Stream development at Unit 4 Hyde Estate Road. The application, made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act, sought variations to existing conditions to allow for an increase of 227 homes, bringing the total to 1,564. Crucially, the amendments will significantly increase the provision of Social Rent affordable housing, from 114 to 286 homes, while maintaining the overall affordable housing percentage at 34.5%. The approved changes also involve increases in building heights for Phase 2, with Blocks B10 and B11 rising to 29 storeys, alongside revisions to the architectural design, public realm, and landscaping. These amendments were deemed acceptable due to the optimisation of a brownfield site, the substantial increase in genuinely affordable housing, and the design-led approach taken to address the increased scale and density. The development will also incorporate enhanced fire safety measures and a revised play space strategy.