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A developer has failed to overturn Barnet Council’s decision to block a 152-home scheme on fields surrounding a Grade 2-listed building.
Hill Residential’s appeal against the town hall’s refusal of its planned development at Whalebones Park in Wood Street, High Barnet, has been dismissed by a government planning inspector.
In November last year, the council’s strategic planning committee turned the scheme down as members ruled the loss of green space caused by the development would harm neighbours’ views and fail to protect or enhance the nearby Wood Street Conservation Area. The committee’s decision came despite council planning chiefs recommending the scheme for approval.
After Mayor of London Sadiq Khan upheld the council’s decision, the developer appealed to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, triggering an inquiry that took place between August 31 and September 3.
Read more: MP calls for ‘one final push’ to save fields from development
Read more: Mayor of London will not overturn Barnet planning rulings
In a decision published on Monday, planning inspector Jonathan Price wrote: “I am in no doubt that the proposal would have a significantly harmful effect on the character and appearance of the extensive appeal site itself and the surrounding area.”
Mr Price said there would be “harm to the significance of the Grade 2-listed Whalebones House, in part due to the erosion of its pastoral setting”, adding that the plan “would neither preserve nor enhance the character or appearance” of Wood Street Conservation Area.
Acknowledging that the scheme would provide some public benefits, he wrote that these would be “significantly” and “demonstrably” outweighed by its adverse impacts.
The appeal ruling is likely to mark the end of the road for the developer’s current plan, although it could submit a new application containing revised proposals for the site.
Read more: Plans for 152…
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Source : times
