Resident says site is home to “numerous animals and mature trees” but developer wants to build large house with a swimming pool and cinema, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The plans for the woodland site by Alan Cox Architects

A resident is campaigning against plans to build a mansion complete with a cinema and swimming pool on a piece of woodland in High Barnet.

Michael Weiss first protested the site’s sale “without consulting the local residents” in June 2024.

Last summer, Barnet Council sold a parcel of woodland along Christchurch Lane to Christchurchgrove Limited, the developer. An adjoining plot of land, which also forms the site, was sold by a charity called The Barnet Recreation Trust to a special purpose company around the same time.

So far, only drawings of the proposed 3,300sqft mansion have been published, and no application has yet been submitted. The drawings from architect Alan Cox show a three-storey building including a pool on the ground floor, a cinema room on the second floor and six bedrooms.

But Michael said the site was home to “numerous animals and mature trees” such as “badgers, deer, hedgehogs, toads, foxes, bats and numerous birds” which had “thrived undisturbed for years”.

He said the building of a “single large house” did not adhere to the trust’s objectives which, on The Charity Commission’s website, states are to advance education and increase provision of recreational and leisure-time facilities “in the interest of social welfare”.

Michael also said the council was “at odds” with its “stated environmental policies and promises”.

Barnet’s Labour manifesto states the group “will protect the Green Belt” and “parks and green and open spaces” and “not build on them”.

It also promises to “grasp woodland and rewilding opportunities”.

The council’s sale to Christchurchgrove Limited is subject to planning approval so only once planning permission is secured will the purchase be complete. However if denied, Christchurchgrove Limited could withdraw.

Michael has urged the council to reject the plan, saying: “The loss of these amazing trees will be a tragedy. I walk by here every day and get such joy from looking at this woodland, and I think it’s really sad that the animals that live here will have nowhere else to go.”

When asked to address the concerns around the lack of consultation and worries about the plan’s suitability, a council spokesperson said: “We have not received any formal planning application for development on the site. Once an application has been submitted, then consultation will follow in accordance with the council statement of community involvement.”

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