Pickles to be urged to call in West Hendon-Welsh Harp development

The motion below is being put to tonight's full Council meeting by Cllr Roxanne Mashari. I understand it will have Liberal Democrat support but I don't know the position of Conservative councillors:

West Hendon development

This Council opposes the West Hendon Development plans which have recently been approved by Barnet Council and the Mayor of London.

Members note that the Welsh Harp Reservoir and Nature Reserve is the only site of special scientific interest (SSSI) in Brent or Barnet and has London wide and national ecological significance.

Members note that Barratt Homes has failed to address concerns raised by Brent Officers, community groups and wildlife organisations who have opposed these plans, which will lead to 6000 new residents moving into tower blocks up to 29 storeys high and the construction of foot bridges leading directly from the site into the SSSI. Members agree that the scale and design of this development amount to an act of environmental vandalism.

This Council notes that the scale and design of the proposed development contravenes official guidance in both the Barnet and London plans.

This Council wishes to reaffirm the value of our Welsh Harp Nature Reserve and reservoir and its belief that this site must be preserved for future generations.

This Council therefore urges the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to call in this decision with the utmost urgency. This is in light of the numerous and grave concerns raised by a number of professional and community bodies which remain unaddressed.

Boris Johnson refuses to intervene in destruction of Welsh Harp

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has ignored the concerns of local residents regarding Barnet Council’s West Hendon Planning Application, despite strong objections. The development launched by Barrett Homes is set to build 2000 new dwelling units, including four large tower blocks next door to Welsh Harp, one of London’s biggest and most significant nature reserves. Residents and campaigners are concerned that this development will destroy permanently the natural landscape which contains a wildfowl reserve and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

A cross party joint letter from Brent and Barnet campaigners was issued to the Mayor detailing their concerns regarding the planning application asking him to reject the application. 

The Mayor has decided that he is content to let Barnet Council decide the application, subject to any action the Secretary of State may take,  and does not want to exercise his right to refuse the application or take over as the planning authority.

Local London Assembly Navin Shah AM said:

‘’This is an outrageous decision by the Mayor of London which will obliterate the beautiful landscape, tranquility and ecological values of a site which should be protected for its special scientific interest. The Mayor has ignored the policies of his own London Plan and given Barnet Council the green light to vandalise this site of  great value.

‘’340 people have written to the Mayor asking him to refuse this application. Furthermore, there has also been a submission of two petitions that have been signed by 987 people. It is disgraceful that the Mayor has yet again refused to listen to local communities in Brent and Barnet. People will never forgive him for signing off the destruction of this site’’.  

 

Boris Johnson to decide on West Hendon development on Wednesday

Following Barnet Council's referral of the West Hendon Regeneration Planning Application to the London Mayor last Friday, Boris Johnson will be making his decision on Wednesday 7th July.

He can decide that Barnet Council should make the decision, reject the application or decide to act as the Planning Authority for the application.

Navin Shah AM for Brent and Harrow; Cllr Roxanne Mashari, Brent Council's lead member for environment and Martin Francis, Brent Green Party, met with GLA planners today to put the views of those opposed to the application.

They will be circulating a letter over the weekend to go to Boris Johnson and the planners which will summarise the case against the development and urging him to reject the planning application or failing that, to act as the planning authority. The aim is to get the letter signed by members of all the main political parties in Barnet and Brent as well as all those organisations opposed to the development.

If you do not receive the letter by 9pm on Sunday evening please email Martin Francis at mafran@globalnet.co.uk to request a copy.

Brent Council Executive collectively object to West Hendon development

The Brent Council Executive has sent the following letter to the Barnet Planning Department:

Objection to proposed development of West Hendon Estate, NW9

We are writing to raise a collective objection to the proposed development of the West Hendon Estate in light of the second phase of consultation (Application No: 13/0938, filed on 2^nd April 2013).

We have serious concerns that the height and density of the proposed development will have a devastating impact in the Welsh Harp’s rare ecology including the extensive areas of marshland that have earned the area the status of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Welsh Harp is the only SSSI in Barnet or Brent and we believe that the maintenance of this status must be a primary consideration when considering any planning application in the area.  

We are also concerned that the local infrastructure is not designed to cope with such a large influx of residents and the substantial volume of extra traffic could bring the very narrow and picturesque Cool Oak Lane to a daily standstill. 

Brent Council planning officers have also identified issues around local parking capacity, adaption of bus lanes and the negative impact that such a large volume of additional foot traffic across a second footbridge would have on both the wildlife and public realm maintenance.

Therefore, due to the multiple detrimental effects that the proposed development would have on both local residents and rare wildlife, we continue to strongly object to the application.

Please take our objections into careful consideration during the deliberative process as part of your final determination.

Welsh Harp petition presented but still (just) time to object

Outside the Town Hall this morning

Supporters of Save Our Welsh Harp including residents and councillors from Brent and Barnet, and environmentalists and community activists, presented a petition of more than 850 signatories to Barnet Council this morning, opposing the proposed 'skyscraper city' on the banks of the Welsh Harp at West Hendon.

There is still time to put in a submission by tomorrow's 4.30pm deadline:(NB amended from previous posting in light of further infromation)

See the Brent Planners' submission (right) for ideas on what to say but also make it personal - what does this development mean to YOU? You need to give planning reasons  for why you object so do read the plans yourself. Also see pages on the left for additional information.
 

You should get an acknowledgement in the post from Barnet Planning. If nothing arrives after 14 days, please chase them!

ONLINE
Go to the Barnet Planning site LINK and type H/01054/13 into the Search Box. Make sure you give a name and postal address and email address to get an acknowledgement.

E-MAIL
email the Barnet Planning Officer dealing with this application quoting the above reference number:

tom.wyld@barnet.gov.uk  Make sure you give your name and postal address and email address to get an acknowledgement. 

The petition steps all the way to the Town Hall door

Cllr Roxanne Mashari (Brent lead member for Environment)hands in the petition

Summing it up

The bank of the Welsh Harp at West Hendon

URGENT: SAVE THE WELSH HARP THIS WEEKEND

If you do just ONE thing this weekend apart from football, gardening, clubbing, drinking, eating and amusing the kids THEN make it submitting an objection to the Barratt Homes planning application to vandalise the wonderful Welsh Harp SSSI, nature reserve and bird sanctuary.

See the Brent Planners' submission (right) for ideas on what to say but also make it personal - what does this development mean to YOU? You need to give planning reasons  for why you object so do read the plans yourself.
 

You should get an acknowledgement in the post from Barnet Planning. If nothing arrives after 14 days, please chase them!

 


ONLINE
Go to the Barnet Planning site LINK and type H/01054/13 into the Search Box. Make sure you give a name and postal address and email address to get an acknowledgement.

E-MAIL
email the Barnet Planning Officer dealing with this application quoting the above reference number:

tom.wyld@barnet.gov.uk  Make sure you give your name and postal address and email address to get an acknowledgement. 

CLOSING DATE MAY 14TH

Save Our Welsh Harp in Kilburn Times

Save Our Welsh Harp in Barnet Press

Save our Welsh Harp - Public meeting Saturday May 4th

SAVE OUR WELSH HARP

PUBLIC MEETING SATURDAY MAY 4TH

5-7pm BRENT TOWN HALL

Brent Council's objection to Welsh Harp over-development

Brent Council Planning Department has submitted an objection to the West Hendon development. The full document is available below:

Welsh Harp: Fear for Wildlife

Finchley and Hendon Times

Concern over Barratt's development from Canal and River Trust

From the Kilburn Times LINK

A national charity which looks after and protects waterways across the country has expressed concern over a major housing development on the edge of a popular reservoir.

The Canal and River Trust (CRT), which is responsible for maintaining around 2,000 miles of rivers and waterways across England and Wales, has said it is important to protect the Brent Reservoir.

The reservoir, which borders Barnet and Brent and is popularly known as the Welsh Harp, is currently under threat from a development which could see around 2,000 new homes including four tower blocks dumped on its borders.

In Brent, a campaign has been launched to stall the application amid fears it will spoil the unique view, have an adverse affect on the area’s natural wildlife and cause an increase in traffic.

Leela O’Dea, environment manager at the CRT told the Times: “The Welsh Harp is a haven for a wide range of birds, bats and other wildlife, and it’s important that it retains its special ecological status.”

Earmarked as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) the area is home to both birds and other wildlife and is a popular destination for residents both in Brent and beyond.

Ms O’Dea added: “We’ve raised our concerns with the developers to ensure that they can demonstrate there’ll be no adverse impact on the environment.”

According to CRT’s official website they pledge to; inspire more people to enjoy waterways, Ensuring they are open, accessible and safe and Minimising the impact made on scarce resources.

The application, from Barrett Homes will be considered by Barnet Council.

A Barratt Metropolitan LLP spokesman said they shared campaigners’ wish to preserve and maintain the reservoir and its wildlife.

He said: “A strong green buffer will run along the entire length of the eastern shore of the reservoir with buildings a minimum of 20 metres from the SSSI boundary and, typically, 40 metres from the reservoir.

“There will be new areas of tree planting, wetland and grassland, and species-specific bird habitats will be created within the parks and gardens, and the buildings will also have a range of green and brown roofs.

“A full environmental assessment - which looks at the potential impact the development could have on views, wildlife, recreation and traffic - has now been submitted to Barnet Council.”

Welsh Harp Campaign launched in local press

Kilburn Times April 25th 2013

Willesden and Wembley Observer April 25th