The Strategic Planning Committee of Barnet Council is scheduled to meet on 8 December 2025, at Hendon Town Hall. The primary focus of the meeting will be a planning application for the redevelopment of the High Barnet Station Car Park, with a report pack of 142 pages dedicated to the discussion. The meeting will also cover standard items such as declarations of interest and any urgent matters raised by Councillor Nigel Young, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics:

High Barnet Station Car Park Redevelopment

The committee will consider planning application 25/2671/FUL, concerning the High Barnet Station Car Park, Station Approach, Barnet, EN5 5RP. The proposal involves the demolition of existing buildings and structures to make way for a residential led development to provide 283 residential units (Use Class C3) and 567 sqm of flexible commercial space (Use Class E) at ground level . The development would be spread across five buildings, ranging from 5 to 11 storeys.

The plans also include:

• Residents' cycle parking and accessible car parking spaces.
• Landscaping and external amenity spaces.
• Public realm and access improvements to Barnet Hill, the station forecourt, Station Approach, and the sloped pedestrian woodland approach to the north.

The applicant is listed as Barratt London (BDW Trading Ltd) in partnership with Places for London (Transport for London), with Avison Young acting as the agent. The case officer is named as Sam Gerstein, and the manager as Andrew Dillon.

The recommendation to the committee is to Grant planning permission subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 Agreement and subject to referral to the Mayor of London . The reason for referral to the committee is that the application falls within categories that must be referred to the Mayor of London under the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008.

The report pack includes an executive summary, which notes that the site is allocated in the Barnet Local Plan (adopted March 2025) for a housing-led mixed-use scheme. Key issues for consideration include the proposed building heights and the loss of the station car park. The report notes that while the site allocation does not identify the site as suitable for tall buildings, officers consider that the proposed building heights form part of a coherent design-led masterplan. The report also notes that the impact of removing the station car park is acceptable, subject to mitigation measures.

The report pack also includes a list of appendices, including a draft of the planning conditions and informatives that would be attached to any planning permission.

The report pack also includes a proposed Section 106 agreement, which would include:

• Financial contributions towards Active Travel Zone improvements, CCTV, and play space.
• Affordable housing provision.
• Carbon offsetting.
• Employment and enterprise initiatives.
• Travel plans for residents and commercial tenants.
• Biodiversity net gain measures.

The report pack also lists a number of planning conditions that would be attached to any planning permission, covering a range of issues including:

• Time limit for commencement of development.
• Approved drawings.
• External materials and architectural details.
• Landscaping and tree protection.
• Sustainable construction and climate change mitigation.
• Fire safety.
• Accessibility.
• Waste and recycling.

The report pack notes that the application has been subject to extensive pre-application engagement and public consultation, and that while objections focus on height, character, and parking loss, statutory consultees and technical specialists confirm that all material planning considerations are satisfactorily addressed.

The report pack also notes that the application must be referred to the Mayor of London, and that any resolution by the committee will be subject to no direction to call in or refuse the application being received from the Mayor of London.

The report pack also includes a site description and background, which notes that the site is located within the ward of High Barnet in north London, and that the existing site comprises of existing TfL buildings including train crew accommodation, a substation and station buildings, and the High Barnet Station car park. The report pack also includes a description of the proposed development, including details of the housing mix and tenure, the commercial units, and the sustainability and energy measures. The report pack also includes a list of material considerations, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the London Plan (2021), and the Barnet Local Plan (adopted March 2025). The report pack also includes a summary of the consultation responses received, including those from statutory consultees, local residents, and other interested parties. The report pack also includes a planning appraisal, which assesses the proposed development against the relevant development plan policies. The report pack also includes an environmental impact assessment, which assesses the likely environmental effects of the proposed development. The report pack also includes an equality and diversity assessment, which assesses the likely equality and diversity impacts of the proposed development. The report pack also includes a conclusion, which summarises the key findings of the report and sets out the recommendation to the committee.

The agenda also notes that members of the public have the right to film, record or photograph public meetings, and that the meeting may be broadcast live or recorded for later transmission by the Council.