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Loss of station parking sparks development concern

Barratt London/Places for London A digital rendering of a modern residential development featuring red brick apartment buildings with green balconies. The buildings are situated along a road with traffic lights, pedestrians, cars, and a red bus. There are trees and greenery surrounding the area.Barratt London/Places for London
The proposed development would see 300 homes built

Proposals to build apartments on a Tube station car park in north London face opposition from some residents.

The plans by Barratt London could see 300 apartments built on a Transport for London (TfL) car park at High Barnet Tube Station and a site used for self-storage units.

The car park has spaces for 160 cars and local residents have expressed concerns that the development could lead to commuters parking on residential streets.

A spokesperson for the West London Partnership, a body set up by TfL and Barratt London to deliver the project, said car users made up just 8% of entries at High Barnet station during the week and 40% of these could walk to the station within 30 minutes.

Gordon Massey, from the Barnet Residents Association, said there was a fear that commuters who no longer had the parking spaces would simply park in residential streets and take up spaces in the town centre.

At a public consultation for the plans, one resident told BBC London that the lack of car parking spaces for those who would live in the apartments made them unsuitable.

She said: "I know we're talking about the future when maybe people won't have cars, but it's no good saying, 'well, there's a train out the back', because that doesn't take you everywhere you want to go. It only takes you to the other stations."

A crowded outdoor car park with various cars and vans under an overcast sky
High Barnet station car park has 160 spaces

Meanwhile, Robin Bishop, from the Barnet Society, said the buildings would not be in keeping with the character of the area.

"These new buildings are three times taller than the norm of our area. It's going to entirely alter the identity of the neighbourhood," he said.

Another resident at the consultation told the BBC he was in favour of the development, adding: "The priority has to be more homes."

The entrance to High Barnet Station with a blue sign above the doorway on a brick building.
High Barnet station is at the north end of the Northern line

The West London Partnership spokesperson said the development had been "carefully designed in line with local, national and regional planning policies while respecting the character of the site and local landmarks".

"Alongside the new homes, the development will make the area around High Barnet station safer and more accessible," they added.

"We are keen to engage with the community throughout this consultation period and will take the comments raised into account ahead of presenting our final plans to the council later this year."

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