The Planning Committee of Barnet Council met on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

Langley House, Park Road, London N2 8EY

The committee considered the application for the change of use of part of the existing car park at Langley House to an outdoor play area for a day nursery. This application had previously been before the committee, at which time officers recommended refusal due to concerns over noise and disturbance to neighbouring residents and highway safety. The committee had indicated they were minded to approve the application, subject to conditions, and it was therefore deferred for determination.

During the meeting, residents expressed concerns about the proximity of the play area to their homes, the potential for increased noise, and the impact on on-street parking. They requested clear, measurable, and enforceable safeguards, including fixed hours of use, a maximum number of children, meaningful quiet periods, professional acoustic assessments, and a noise management plan.

The nursery management stated their commitment to working collaboratively with residents and outlined plans for managing noise, including proposed breaks and a maximum of 16 children at any one time. They also highlighted the importance of outdoor play for children's development and safeguarding.

The committee voted to approve the application, with Councillor Omis proposing that the benefits of the amenity for children outweighed the potential harm to local residents, seconded by Councillor Cohen. The approved application is subject to several conditions, including restrictions on the hours of use (9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday), the submission and approval of a noise management plan, and the installation of acoustic fencing.

Abbey Ravenscroft Park Nursing Home, 1-6 Ravenscroft Park, Barnet EN5 4ND

The committee considered the application for part single-storey, part two-storey side and rear extensions to Abbey Ravenscroft Park Nursing Home, which will provide 18 additional bedrooms. This application builds upon a previously approved scheme that added 11 bedrooms, bringing the total potential capacity to 92 rooms.

Objectors raised concerns about overdevelopment, the impact on the Wood Street Conservation Area, residential amenity, traffic, parking, trees, and ecology. Specific concerns included the cumulative effect of previous extensions, potential loss of privacy and daylight, and increased noise and disturbance.

The applicant's representative, Mr. Patel, stated that the application complied with all required standards and that the additional beds would help address a shortage of specialist nursing and dementia care provision in the borough. A supporter of the application, Marian Yesuda, shared her positive experience of her husband living at the home.

The council's officers assessed the proposal and concluded that the extensions were appropriately designed and scaled, preserving the character of the conservation area. They were satisfied that the development would not cause unacceptable harm to residential amenity, with obscure glazing proposed for specific windows. The Highways Officer raised no objections. The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application. Conditions attached to the approval include requirements for a Construction Management and Logistics Plan, a tree protection plan, obscure glazing for specific windows, provision of cycle parking, and a Biodiversity Net Gain Plan.