Save Hendon

11/12/2024

HENDON HUB SCHEME: CANCELLED!

https://www.barnet.gov.uk/news/barnet-council-granted-planning-permission-hendon-hub-scheme-put-hold-indefinitely

Barnet Council granted planning permission for Hendon Hub but scheme put on hold ‘indefinitely'

Barnet Council has received planning approval for Hendon Hub – the proposed multi-million-pound redevelopment of The Burroughs, the historical area of Hendon.

However, this is simply a statutory notice that concludes the formal legal process, and the council has put the scheme on hold indefinitely.

This week (beginning December 9) residents and other contributors to last year’s public consultation on the Hendon Hub proposals have been notified that planning approval has been granted for the original plans.

In line with the decision previously taken by the council none of the plans will be acted upon and this is simply a statutory notice, that legally must be sent out.

Barnet Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, Cllr Ross Houston, said:

“We engaged with Middlesex University, the local community and residents in Hendon. A decision has now been made to halt the scheme indefinitely.

“As the original proposals were made at a Planning Committee meeting prior to the change in administration, a set of statutory actions were set in motion with the Local Planning Authority, and this notice is one part of that.

“However, I can assure all residents that none of the current proposals will be acted upon. Any plans in the future would only happen following prior engagement with residents and the local community.”

Barnet Council has received planning approval for Hendon Hub – the proposed multi-million-pound redevelopment of The Burroughs, the historical area of Hendon. However, this is simply a statutory notice that concludes the formal legal process, and the council has put the scheme on hold indefinitely...

01/06/2024

IF YOU HAVE FIVE MINS THIS WEEKEND...

BARNET COUNCIL HAVE SENT THE RAVENSFIELD & FENELLA SITE PLANNING APPLICATIONS (THOSE HUGE NEW BUILDINGS ON THE BURROUGHS) TO THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S OFFICE FOR APPROVAL.

There is now a small window to submit objections to the Mayor.

We're in touch with several of our faith communities who are up in arms over the proposed developments and will be writing in but it is imperative, yet again, for anyone who has five mins to spare to submit an objection via the link below.

OBJECT HERE: https://planapps.london.gov.uk/planningapps/23-2868-FUL?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0LKF3iw3wkbWJjgOLlvTlYp65FqCtkaRl9Tgi3VJDdXeqnujkq6xUdV-I_aem_ATBh59hBeCq9nwsJydefutenAXCxh9CHmDDgKFbmpB2FdGWm6hsggl5TPxX992TN9KDwRBo8J5_Qv_WYc2Ndqgig

COMMENTS ARE SAME AS FOR THE COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION.

For inspiration - here's a link to residents comments:
https://publicaccess.barnet.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=RX9RFXJI09100&neighbourCommentsPager.page=2&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0jXZOaOMFUMg-7wJK4JXlX1thQJqPaMwKi642-wIw5K9qnXZTbeHkZekE_aem_ATCjDETjiJCZ3ROeHPR5lFLsb389oPfGky7O_YPkMnh1aurcTCluVxfY9tRoJhFxI3KGb-afhj47WSuXGie0D5AL

BIG THANKS TO THE 265 PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY COMMENTED SINCE YESTERDAY.

Share your views online and help shape the future of Greater London Authority. Check the details of Ravensfield House, see what your neighbours are saying and join the conversation. Engagement platform powered by Commonplace.

29/05/2024

SAVE HENDON NEWS:

Today we learned that Labour-run Barnet Council is actively continuing to move forward with the Hendon Hub plans and has sent the Ravensfield and Fenella site Planning Applications (the huge new buildings on The Burroughs) to the Mayor of London's Office for approval.

There is now a small window to submit objections to the Mayor. We're in touch with several of our faith communities who are up in arms over the proposed developments and will be writing in but it is imperative, yet again, for everyone who has five mins to spare to submit an objection via the link below.

https://planapps.london.gov.uk/planningapps/23-2868-FUL

In the meantime, we wanted to let you know that the fight to get this development scaled down continues.

Legal advice was sought once again in the spring, which is now informing a programme of action including:

1) A "call-in request" for the Hendon Hub Planning Applications has now been submitted to the Secretary of State , supported by our current MP, ward councillors and local Conservative Hendon candidate Ameet Jogia.

2) The Upper Tribunal case regarding the disclosure of the Business Case was heard before the Upper Tribunal in October and following an error of law in that decision (last week) is set to be appealed, including before the High Court.

3) A new application to the United Nations Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee will be heard further to the judge's decision in the Upper Tribunal case.

4) A Freedom of Information request regarding the finances of the Hendon Hub produced a public response from Barnet Council. We now know that:

- Barnet Council has not used a Special Purpose Vehicle to fund the Hendon Hub development, as recommended in the business case.

- Barnet Council has had soft market conversations regarding the financing of the Hendon Hub.

- Barnet Council has not agreed to pursue the Middlesex University covenant or the LBB guarantee. So no-one is underwriting the scheme.

- It is still to be formally agreed how the Hendon Hub development will be funded.

We will keep you posted ...

Share your views online and help shape the future of Greater London Authority. Check the details of Ravensfield House, see what your neighbours are saying and join the conversation. Engagement platform powered by Commonplace.

17/02/2024

Dear Neighbours and Friends,

We really really need your help NOW. Please can you spare less than 5 minutes of your time?

The most recent Hendon Hub Planning Applications are to be voted on at the Strategic Planning Committee on Tuesday 20th February at 7 pm at Hendon Town Hall. The public may attend. Residents who are speaking against the Planning Applications would hugely appreciate your support.

IT WOULD BE BRILLIANT IF AS MANY OF YOU AS POSSIBLE COULD EMAIL THE COUNCIL AND RELEVANT COUNCILLORS TO OBJECT, BY NEXT MONDAY AT THE LATEST.
AS EVER, THE MORE OFFICIAL OBJECTIONS, THE BETTER CHANCE ANY ACTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS HAVE OF SUCCEEDING.

Below is a list of all the relevant CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESSES. You can just copy and paste them into an email.

In addition to any points you may have, here are just a few issues we’ve managed to swiftly glean from the reports that you can use in your emails if you agree with them:

* For the second time, 100% of resident responses to Planning Applications are objections bar one plea for decent cycle lanes.

* Historic England and Planning Officers AGREE that the cumulative bulk and massing of the new buildings on The Burroughs will have an adverse effect on both their setting and the way in which they would be experienced but this has been ignored.

* Community Services, which are to be moved into university buildings, are not fully provided like for like.

* The development will generate £1,381, 248.58 in Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy. Is this destructive scheme just a way to raise funds for the Mayor?

* There’s no provision for goodwill parking for the communities using Egerton Road car park where the rotunda will be built. The carpark at Ravensfield/Fenella can only be used by the Hub development.

* The university development, incorporating student facilities, accommodation and all our community services will be conditioned as CAR FREE! This is laughably unrealistic. Also, the university currently has a 360 cycle spaces which are underutilised. An extra 227 parking spaces will be provided which are only there as a requirement for new builds. This again demonstrates that the design of the Hendon Hub is tailored to what’s going to get it over the line, not what is needed or necessary.

* The development currently falls short of the net zero-carbon target therefore a payment of £337,830 has to be made to offset the damage.

* Money has been wasted on a feasibility study for cycle lanes on a very short stretch of The Burroughs, Station Road, Brent Street, Church Road where buses already have problems passing each other due to parked cars.

* There’s a shortfall in play provision for homes being built. A play space contribution of £18,899.49 is required for improvements to a park nowhere near the Hendon Hub.

* There’s a shortfall of amenity open space. £13,650 is required to compensate for that and another £10,500 towards the improvement and enhancement for a park or open space in the Hendon ward and £3,150 towards tree planting in the vicinity of the development as well as an unspecified amount for the loss of trees due to project.

* No heed has been given to the Statement of Community Involvement. Despite the Hendon Hub proposals being presented as a fait accompli, 62% still made a point of stating they 1) did not want the Rotunda building being built, 2) 46% objected to the loss of carpark and 3) 90% did not want community services moved into university buildings or community services together with student accommodation, they want a purpose-built community building. And despite it not being offered as an option, 69% made a point of saying they did not want a retail space at Ravensfield/Fenella, believing it would NOT be successful nor any use to the community.

* It is blatantly obvious that the respondents (98% Barnet residents and 92% Hendon residents) are not in favour of the Hub development.

* It is expected that the proposal will generate more person trips. The proposed development is predicted to generate 2,536 person trips compared with 1,707 from the existing site during the day.

* There has been no flood risk report.

* Overdensity will be a significant issue, There are clearly too many people and too many uses for the Ravensfield/Fenella site.
Email Objections by Monday to:

[email protected]

RE. PLANNING APPLICATION 23/2868/FUL

If you’d like to email Hendon councillors and those on the Strategic Planning Committee who will be voting on Tuesday, please do so ASAP:

RE. PLANNING APPLICATION 23/2868/FUL

COPY AND PASTE THE LIST BELOW:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Strategic Planning Committee:

Claire Farrier
Philip Cohen
Rishikesh Chakraborty
Paul Lemon
Richard Cornelius
Eva Greenspan
Shuey Gordon
Danny Rich
Elliot Simberg
Tony Vourou
Michael Mire

Hendon Councillors:
Mark Shooter
Alex Prager
Joshua Conway

DON'T DELAY, DO IT TODAY!

Thank you so much!

17/02/2024

Please come support our neighbours who are speaking out against the HENDON HUB at the Strategic Planning Meeting on Tuesday where councillors will be voting on Planning Applications and show Barnet Council we want this development scaled down. Your presence makes all the difference. You just turn up to the Town Hall at 7.

Feel free to share on WhatsApp etc.

SEE YOU THERE!

18/12/2023

https://chng.it/WXWH9QzLHc

13/12/2023

MESSAGE FROM THE WEST HENDON COMMUNITY

HAVE YOU GOT 5 MINS TO SAVE THE MIDLAND PUB?

As some of you may know, The Midland Pub, 29 Station Road NW4 4PN - trading since 1889 - closed in December 2021 after years of successful trading and after it was sold to developers.

It has ASSET OF COMMUNITY VALUE (ACV) status registered with Barnet Council but that expires on 19 December 2023.

The ACV protects the pub from demolition and overdevelopment because it demonstrates that the pub is important for the social wellbeing and social interests of the local community.

A new application is being reviewed RIGHT NOW for the next 5 years to protect it from demolition/overdevelopment.

The pub is currently on the market for sale. With an ACV listing, any new owner will have to include the pub in any planning applications.

It was protected from 2018 so please help save it for another 5 years.
https://times-series.co.uk/news/16886354.plans-demolish-historic-barnet-pub/

The pub serves local communities as well as the wider community.

Whoever runs it will not be short of custom; it is a desperately needed venue for social activities of a huge range of residents and community groups.

ACTION REQUIRED:

Email [email protected]
cc: [email protected]

SUBJECT: The Midland Hotel Pub 2023 ACV Nomination

This will help campaigners keep track of the support submitted to Barnet Council.

Please write in to Barnet Council at the above address with a few words of support to help the application, say why it is an asset, especially if you have used it personally or with a community group (for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, funeral wakes, Sunday lunches, live music gigs, sports groups etc)

Time is of the essence. This is the only window to present the case for the pub being registered as an ACV.

A decision has to be made in early January 2024 by the leader of the Council whether to approve the application or not.

If the community gives evidence of its support and it is recorded, there will be a greater chance of success with the nomination.
The volume of support will also be used as evidence for objections to any future planning applications to demolish/overdevelop the pub.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE and THANK YOU to the people who have already submitted their support.

13/10/2023

En route to a Hendon resident’s court case against Barnet Council & the Information Commissioner's Office.

The hearing is an appeal following the late Tony Mason's complaint regarding Barnet Council's refusal to release the Business Case.

https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/Annex2b_EIR_01_LBB_Hendon_Hub_Outline_Business_Case_Redacted_IMP.pdf

24/08/2023

If you don’t want Hendon to look like this, you have until midnight to object here: https://publicaccess.barnet.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=RX9RFXJI09100&activeTab=summary

Our list of objections:https://www.savehendon.org/library/files/Objections-Aug2023.pdf

24/08/2023

MATTHEW OFFORD MP CALLS FOR RETHINK ON HENDON HUB PROPOSALS:
https://www.matthewofford.co.uk/news/matthew-calls-rethink-hendon-hub-proposals

CLICK HERE TO OBJECT BY DEADLINE - MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!! https://publicaccess.barnet.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=RX9RFXJI09100

CLICK HERE FOR OUR OBJECTION LIST
https://www.savehendon.org/library/files/Objections-Aug2023.pdf

SPREAD THE WORD VIA EMAIL! WHATSAPP! KNOCK ON DOORS! PLEASE GET THOSE OBJECTIONS IN!! I KNOW WE'RE ALL SICK TO THE BACK TEETH OF THE HENDON HUB SCHEME BUT WE CAN'T KEEP FIGHTING THIS WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT!

Dr Matthew Offord writes:

"Two and half years ago, when the proposals were first made known to residents, Matthew submitted a response to Barnet Council which highlighted serious reservations about the scale of the plans, loss of community facilities, change to heritage buildings, loss of parking and, most significantly, the impact an enlarged university will have on Hendon.

Matthew says: "I do not believe there has been any significant change to the proposals and my concerns remain. A campus model university is being imposed on a largely residential area and the residents of Hendon, myself included, are being side-lined in favour of the University. The student population brings few additional benefits to Hendon. There is, however, more litter on the streets, evidence of drug-related activities, parking issues and graffiti. The introduction of an additional 400 student units will exacerbate this.

"Hendon is essentially residential, characterised by two-storey family homes. The scale of these proposals is totally out of character with the area, parts of which are designated conservation areas. The proposed 6 and 7-storey blocks and 5-storey rotunda will result in excessive density, a loss of privacy, overlooking and a total change to the residential and historic nature of Hendon.

"The area around the university constitutes the historic heart of Hendon and is home to the 1,000 year old St Mary's Church as well as a number of Grade II listed buildings, particularly in The Burroughs. There is no apparent attempt to blend in or harmonise with this environment; indeed, the height and design of the proposed buildings are completely out of keeping with the historic environment and will only have a detrimental impact.

"Residents have long suffered the effects of houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) and, contrary to the assumption in the proposal, students not able to live in the dedicated accommodation within the ‘Hub’, will seek accommodation in the surrounding area which will lead to a loss of family homes as they come up for sale and an increase in the number of HMOs.

"Commensurate with this will be an increase in demand for parking which is already an issue in the area. The loss of public car parking space is a concern both to residents and local businesses. This is an area of parking stress, exacerbated by students, and the requirement for residents' parking was recognized when the local CPZs were set up.

"Whilst there is little doubt that the need exists to replace the outdated buildings like those on the Ravensfield/Fenella site, the current proposals are University orientated and will do nothing to enhance or blend with the historic nature of the area; in fact, the historic street scene will be irrevocably changed forever.

"These proposals have hardly changed from the initial plans and I ask Barnet Council to listen to residents and look again at the scale and design of the proposals and the number of student units."

As a local resident of Hendon, Matthew continues to share the many concerns about the proposals for the Hendon Hub.

23/08/2023

Statement from our MP Dr Matthew Offord

As a local resident of Hendon, Matthew continues to share the many concerns about the proposals for the Hendon Hub.