The Planning Committee of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 21 April 2026, confirming a Tree Preservation Order for woodland at Land Opposite 15 Sunset View, and approving extensions at 19 Wellgarth Road and 31 Foscote Road. The committee also debated and ultimately refused an application to subdivide a property at 40 Midland Terrace.

Woodland at Land Opposite 15 Sunset View

The committee confirmed a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for the woodland at Land Opposite 15 Sunset View, Barnet, EN5 4LB. This decision was made to protect the woodland's character and biodiversity, following a previous planning application for a dwelling on the site that was refused due to the loss of trees and woodland habitat. The new TPO, number 26/TPO/001, replaces an older order and provides broader protection for the entire woodland area.

Paul Nunn, speaking on behalf of local residents, strongly supported the confirmation of the TPO, highlighting the woodland's significant contribution to public amenity, its value as a wildlife corridor, and its role in minimising flood risk. He noted that a community petition to save the woodland had gathered over 2,500 signatures.

The London Borough of Barnet Estates Department had initially objected to the blanket TPO, supporting a planning application for a house on the site and objecting to the TPO on the land by Christchurch Grove Limited. However, the committee ultimately voted to confirm the TPO.

19 Wellgarth Road

The committee approved an application for the excavation of a basement with associated light wells and skylights at 19 Wellgarth Road, NW11 7HP. The proposal also included re-landscaping of the rear terrace and alterations to doors. The property is locally listed and situated within the Hampstead Garden Suburb Conservation Area.

Objectors, including Karen Alberts and Ruth Pratt, raised concerns about overdevelopment, potential harm to heritage assets, flood risk, ground movement, and disruption during construction. They argued that the scale of the basement was excessive and that the application conflicted with the design guidance for the conservation area.

The council's Heritage Officer raised no objection, subject to minor revisions. The Tree Officer also raised no objection, subject to amendments, and the Lead Local Flood Authority had no objection, subject to a condition. Officers concluded that the development would not harm the character and appearance of the locally listed building or the conservation area, and that there would be no significant amenity impacts on neighbours.

Despite the objectors' concerns, the committee voted to approve the application, with Councillor Kamal Bahadur Gurung proposing refusal on the grounds of unnecessary scale and potential harm to the character of the conservation area. This was seconded by Councillor Josh Mastin-Lee. The application was ultimately refused.

40 Midland Terrace

The committee debated and refused an application to subdivide the property at 40 Midland Terrace, London, NW2 6QH, into two two-bedroom dwellings. The property is located within the Cricklewood Railway Cottages Conservation Area and is locally listed.

The sole ground for refusal cited by officers was that the subdivision would result in the loss of a family-sized home without providing a replacement, contravening Policy HOU-03 of the Barnet Local Plan, which prioritises the creation of family homes.

Councillor Anne Clarke spoke in support of the application, arguing that the property was originally two cottages and that reinstating them as two homes would not harm the conservation area and would be supported by local residents, as evidenced by zero objections on the planning portal. Paul Hoskins, the applicant, echoed these sentiments, stating that the proposal would restore the original architecture and increase the number of homes without negatively impacting the character of the street.

Despite the arguments for approval, the committee voted to refuse the application based on the policy regarding the provision of family-sized homes.

31 Foscote Road

The committee approved an application for a single-storey side and rear extension, a new front extension with a porch, and a roof extension with dormer windows at 31 Foscote Road, NW4 3SE. The property is a detached dwellinghouse in the West Hendon ward.

No objections were received from neighbours following public consultation. The application was referred to the Planning Committee because the applicant is related to a member of staff of the Local Planning Authority. Officers assessed the proposal against the Barnet Local Plan policies CDH01 and CDH05, and the Residential Design Guidance SPD, concluding that the extensions would complement the character of the existing building and would not cause significant harm to the living conditions of neighbouring residents. The proposed roof extension also benefited from a lawful development certificate. The application was recommended for approval and subsequently approved by the committee.