The campaign group warns that Barnet Council will allow the height of the tallest buildings in the area to double, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

‘Save Our Edgware’ campaigners have called on Barnet Council to amend its Local Plan – which could allow for 4,700 new homes to be built in the town centre.

Tony Allan, chair of Edgware Community Association, has said campaigners do not support the council’s proposals for much more housing to be built in the area over the next decade and beyond.

He said: “We feel they’ve amended the 2021 document, so that it helps [developer] Ballymore, or helps the development that they’re looking for.”

A specific redevelopment proposal from Ballymore and Transport for London could see thousands of dwellings built on the current site of Broadwalk Shopping Centre, next to Edgware Station, with plans suggesting up to 25 tower blocks, up to 29 storeys in height, being built.

No application for the development has yet been submitted and the plans could still be amended in response to local concerns.

Planning inspectors have recommended a number of changes to the Barnet Local Plan, recently subject to a public consultation, which Tony said would see the tallest buildings in the area, currently 17 storeys, double in height.

Tony said the original version of the document agreed by the council would not have allowed such tall buildings to be built in Edgware. He also said consultations on the development had “drawn a line” down Edgware Road, excluding many residents from taking part.

“A lot of residents, like Stonegrove or Canons Park estate, they’ve cut out, so they don’t have a say in the development.”

The time to deliver the development could be up to ten years, also causing concern from residents who fear they would be without a shopping centre for much of that time.

Currently the shopping centre accommodates around 1,150 car park spaces, but this may be replaced by only 300 for the new development.

“They haven’t thought it through,” added Tony.

The future plans for Edgware have been a hot local topic of debate for a couple of years and, during the Local Plan process, the council responded to concerns by reducing the total proposed housing target for Edgware from 5,000 to 4,700.

Tony claims the council has been continually “accusing” the campaigners of not wanting development or housing but said “that’s not true”.

A council spokesperson said: “The proposal from Ballymore has not yet been submitted. Once Ballymore submit their application, we will consult fully as per the normal planning process.

“There were no specific height restrictions for Edgware in the supplementary planning document (SPD), nor in the draft Local Plan, which was already in the final stages of development before submission to the inspector in 2022.

“In order to get the Local Plan adopted the council has been compelled to accept changes proposed by the inspector. This includes changes to the policy on tall buildings.

“We have just finished the consultation on making final changes to the Local Plan, which will replace the existing plan from 2012.

“Once the Local Plan is adopted, we will bring in new guidance on height and density.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.