Welsh Harp JCC on why Mayor should reject West Hendon development

The letter below was sent to Boris Johnson today:

West Hendon Estate, Barnet (planning reference: H/01054/13)

I write as chair, and on behalf of, the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee, which includes elected councillors from both Brent and Barnet and is a cross party body. Our charter is to consider and co-ordinate all the interests of recreation, leisure, maintenance and nature conservation together with the statutory requirements of the British Waterways Board and the Environment Agency at the Welsh Harp (Brent Reservoir) Our resulting objective is to protect the Welsh Harp Reservoir and surrounding open land as a unique environment for both recreation and wildlife conservation.

At our last meeting on the 24^th July 2013, the committee noted with considerable disappointment and concern that the London Borough of Barnet Planning and Environment Committee had granted planning permission to the redevelopment of the West Hendon Estate. It was agreed that we would write to you to express our objections to the scheme as it is currently proposed.

Our grounds for objection are based on the environmental impact of the scheme and are therefore in line with our remit.

SSSI endangerment

The Welsh Harp – also known as the Brent Reservoir – is a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). As one of only approximately thirty-six SSSIs across London, the area is of considerable value not only locally but also London wide and nationally.  Both the London and Barnet Plans contain directives regarding the protection of SSSIs. This scheme clearly breaches those directives.

The proposed development will cause considerable disruption and therefore harm to the wildlife of the SSSI. This disruption will be caused by the process of construction, the size and scale of the development, the resulting increase in population density, together with light and noise pollution.

We have grave concerns that allowing such a scheme will create a precedent and endanger similar areas in the capital and beyond.

Risk to flora and fauna

We wish to  highlight that one of the proposed pedestrian bridges would span the wetland breeding grounds on the SSSI and it would be impossible for this to not negatively impact the birds nesting in the area, both during construction and afterwards when in use. Migratory birds using the area include Gadwalls and Widgeon and it is known that there is a colony of Daubenton Bats roosting in the area.

Some of the buildings will be 29 storeys in height. This will impact on the bird population, especially as they are a mere 20 metres from the water’s edge.  A particular issue is the effect this will have on wind currents which could cause birds to fly into buildings or become confused and be displaced. There has been no mention of this issue in the application for the scheme.

Inadequate assessments and safeguards

We consider that the wildlife assessments which have  been undertaken are  lacking, and are deeply concerned that the proposals for the scheme make no specific mention of the reservoir or of flora and fauna.

 The committee also noted the views of Natural England which were reported as advising that construction should not go ahead either in summer or winter due to the disruption that would be caused to birds. We are aware that Natural England has also supported the appointment of an SSSI Warden to monitor the impact of the scheme on the SSSI.  However, very little detail has been provided regarding the powers of this post and the funding provided is considered insufficient by the committee.

In summary, therefore, we believe that the scheme as currently designed presents a grave risk to the status and environment of one of the very few wild spaces left in London. As a city, we cannot afford to risk endangering and damaging this priceless and very special place.

We urge you to direct the Local Planning Authority to refuse the application or failing that to act as the Local Planning Authority yourself so that the application can be considered fully in the light of all the appropriate development plan policies.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Alison Hopkins

Chair Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee

Liberal Democrat councillor for Dollis Hill (Brent)

Cllrs Hopkins' and Ashraf's submission on West Hendon redevelopment

West Hendon Estate today

Cllr Alison Hopkins writes:

I grew up very close to the Welsh Harp, and it was a playground for me – I was the classic small girl fishing for minnows with a bamboo pole for a rod! It’s a wonderful space and vitally important not just for Brent and Barnet but for the whole of North London. We allow it to be damaged at our peril.

I fought the last development proposals close to the Welsh Harp, and also the Brent Cross “Regeneration”, which will have major impacts on that area, too. When I was elected as a councillor last year, the one committee I was desperate to be on was the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee, of which I’m vice chair and hope to be chair this coming year. Javaid, my predecessor, feels as passionately as I do about the importance of the Welsh Harp and its value to the community.

I think it’s safe to say that almost every member of the JCC is totally opposed to these plans as they stand: both I and Cllr Ashraf, who was chair previously, have written to Barnet Council stating our opposition in the strongest possible terms.

Cllr Ashraf has written as follows:

As the former chair and member of the welsh harp joint consultative committee, I am very concerned by the Barratt developments being proposed as below.

The size and scale of this development will change the landscape and surrounding areas in numerous ways including additional congestion, pollution, noise and nuisance.   

There will be additional vehicles and traffic as well as works traffic to contend with. 

There will be more people who will rely on local services and will increase demand.   Noise levels will increase and pollution will become a particular concern. 

From the previous Barratts development, I was concerned that the consultation was poor and despite numerous attempts to arrange a site visit, there were numerous delays and none forthcoming whilst I was chair.

The SSSI will be impacted by the size and development and this will affect the natural beauty and conservation of the area, resulting in loss of wildlife, birds and other animals.   This is a unique part in this part of London and we do not wish it ends up that the welsh harp reservoir and surrounding SSSI loses its interest and becomes an empty part of land and waters with scarce natural beauty.

Whilst I expect some developments to the previous estate on site, any new ones proposed should not be bigger in size and any overspill should be well away from this location and done on other land which does not impact so much on a historic and natural site.

I’ve endorsed his comments and added:

I totally concur and agree with what Cllr Ashraf has said.

I am also very concerned about the lack of proper amenities: for example, there is no provision for a medical centre.  As was stated at the last Welsh Harp JCC, the current local facilities are inadequate at the moment, let alone once massive extra development takes place.

The amount and nature of the social housing is unsatisfactory, as is the level of affordable housing. Social tenants are being pushed away from the welsh Harp to the A5 edge, with all the implications for living in poor air quality.

Tower blocks are discredited as a means of housing in what is essentially a rural suburban setting.

This is a totally inappropriate and ill thought out plan.

In conclusion, the West Hendon Estate has been neglected for decades and must be properly improved for the benefit and well being of those who live there. That means good open space, proper community amenities and proper housing, not high density tower blocks.

These plans benefit no one: indeed, they are positively destructive.  Barnet have a history of not listening to Brent and this can’t be allowed to continue. They also seem determined to build scores of inappropriate and unwelcome tower blocks all over the borough, but especially where it borders Brent.  We can and must fight these damaging plans.