Tuesday 10 November 2009

Local Development Framework Latest

Today, Barnet Council has published details of the consultation process on the Local Development Framework (LDF). The bad news is New Barnet is seen as a centre suitable for developing more shops and more flats. Barnet Council simply aren't listening to what local residents are saying. You only have a short time to give your opinions. Click here for the link to the consultation page where you will find all of the details.
Please take the time to read this document as it will affect all planning decisions made in New Barnet for the next 15 years. There is an opportunity to question the Council on the LDF at the next Chipping Barnet Residents forum which will be held at Chipping Barnet Library Staplyton Road (at the back of the Spires) on 24 November at 6.30pm

Friday 6 November 2009

Town Centre Strategy - Kicked into the long grass?

New Barnet has been promised a Town Centre Strategy (or Framework)for years. We know how important it will be in any subsequent planning applications from ASDA or Tesco. Yet Barnet Council seems determined to stop local residents seeing this strategy. The agenda of the next Business Management Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee says that the local residents will now be consulted on the Town Centre Strategy, sorry framework, in "early 2010" whatever that means. What is taking so long you may ask? GVA Grimley were commissioned to undertake this study back in April and two separate sources have told me that it is finished. Why won't it be released - perhaps because it doesn't say what Barnet Council wants. This vital document needs to be disclosed now so that we can consider it alongside the Local Development Framework. These documents will set the planning agdenda in New Barnet for the next 15 years and local residents deserve to be consulted.