Keeping watch on developments in New Barnet

"New Barnet Town Centre Framework"

Consultants working on behalf of Barnet Council have drawn up outline proposals for the future of the main shopping area in New Barnet. The draft document was published on 22nd February and can be downloaded from the Council's website.

A public exhibition of the proposals was held at St James Church, New Barnet and the 6 small exhibition boards were also on display at East Barnet Library.

The closing date for comments was 23rd March 2010.

We await news of the next step in this process - Barnet Council say "late summer".

Power Crisis - December 2009

A burst water main flooded gas pipes in East & New Barnet just before Christmas 2009, causing the loss of gas supply to over 1000 homes. Subsequently 200 homes also lost their electricity supply. Links to coverage of the 'power crisis' and its aftermath is archived on this website.

Supermarket Planning Applications - Current Status

Alternative Plan for the Gasworks Site

Despite ASDA and Tesco's attempts to brand us as a bunch of "NIMBYs", the Save New Barnet Campaign is far from "anti-development". Indeed, we're keener than most to see redundant sites in our local area brought back into use. However, we are determined to oppose any development which is inappropriate in terms of scale, design and use. After all, it is us and our community that will have to live with the effects of these projects long after the developers have moved on.

The kind of large-scale, multi-storey development that ASDA and Tesco are proposing is grossly inappropriate in a largely residential suburb like New Barnet, which is characterised by two or three storey buildings on a Victorian and Edwardian road network, and within a few hundred metres of the Green Belt.

We also know that it's not what local people want, because we've spent the last year asking their opinion for our community's "Vision For New Barnet". Amongst the hundreds of views, two things that came up again and again were "family houses" and "leisure facilities".

So, using the "Vision" as a guide, we commissioned some local architects to propose an alternative solution for the derelict gasworks site. The result is an inspiring plan that is grounded in commercial reality, but which makes the most of the site’s potential and meets the real needs of our local community.

Take a look at the alternative plans: (click pictures to enlarge)

• 83 three storey three- and four-bed houses
• 45 three storey one- and two-bed flats
• Pedestrian-friendly residential streets
• 33 metre swimming pool with training pool and outdoor paddling/wet play area
• Leisure centre with youth club facilities
• Site fully integrated with an upgraded Victoria Recreation Ground
• 'Unzipping' (opening up) the two brooks which flow through the site
• 800-1000 sq. m. retail space in mixed use area (the amount recommended in three separate studies commissioned by Barnet Council, ASDA and Tesco)
• Better links with East Barnet Road

Integrated Development and Park Master Plan [188K pdf] - Mar 2009

Background

In January 2008, Tesco announced plans for a 'Town Centre Regeneration Scheme' in New Barnet. This was in addition to ASDA's long expected development plans at the neighbouring gasworks site in Albert Road. The Save New Barnet Campaign was formed in response to these development plans.

In addition to these plans for two major supermarket developments, Tesco also have permission for a Tesco Express store in front of the gasworks site on Victoria Road.

The campaign has organised a number of events and commissioned research into local opinion. A Vision For New Barnet suggests what the local residents would like to see happen to improve New Barnet.

On this website you will find an archive of documents, including press coverage, related to the planned development schemes. The latest info is on the news page and the action section contains contacts to express your opinion.

What can I do?

Show Your Support

Download and print a poster to display in your window.

A selection of posters can be found in the publicity section.

Write to the local newspapers and tell them about your concerns with the two development proposals.

Visit the action pages for more ideas, hints, tips and contacts.

Speak up for your local community!

Save New Barnet from superstore suffocation

say NO to the destruction of the heart of New Barnet

say NO to traffic gridlock, noise & pollution

say NO to squeezing out independent shops & businesses

say NO to hundreds more flats

say NO to a characterless 'Tescoville' or 'Asda Anytown'