Barnet council’s strategic planning committee have rejected a development project which would see the Great North Leisure Park (GNLP) demolished.
This comes after a community campaign, Our North Finchley, generated widespread local opposition and a successful petition against Regal London’s development scheme.
This led to councillors rejecting the project over fears it would lead to a loss of crucial social spaces, a strain on transport and GP services along with irreversible damage to the Glebelands nature reserve.
Michael Levitsky, a coordinator with Our North Finchley, said: “The scheme is exceptionally large, even by London standards they’re 1,500 homes on a single site, over 4,000 people.”
He added, there’s immense pressure on the public transport system with just one major bus route providing access to key transport connections.
The scheme consists of 1485 small and mostly ‘unaffordable’ homes in a tightly packed area with blocks up to 25 storeys high.
The development would make it one of the densest in the UK on an area the size of 5 football pitches.
Mary Hogben, a member of the Finchley Society, expressed to the committee that the development was poorly designed and lacked the necessary amenities required for adequate living.
She warned, that overcrowding, lack of daylight and privacy posed ‘a real chance of damage to the physical and mental health of residents.’
Many residents and parents are concerned demolishing the GNLP would remove one of the last safe and accessible social hub for youth to enjoy, build independence and social skills.
Nikki Austen, a resident and parent whose family lived in Barnet since the 1930s, shared the site had been a staple in family life, recalling how her grandfather swam at the lido as a teenager.
She said: “There simply is nowhere for pre-teens, teenagers and young adults to go in un-facilitated groups, where they are genuinely welcomed.
“The Leisure Park feels like it is for them and it is really quite a liberating experience – a right of passage as they learn more about how to interact with the part of London they live in, independently and again, safely.”
A visit to the GNLP on a typically quiet day demonstrated its significance to the local community.
Despite the timing, the centre had a steady flow of people from all demographics moving within the leisure park.
Groups of disabled and SEND children were seen arriving at Hollywood Bowl underscoring the sites importance as an inclusive and accessible local hub.
Austen highlighted the specific needs SEND children often require, with unsupported social interactions being challenging for them, but she went onto explain how the GNLP demonstrates to children, and families, that a relatively normal social life is possible.
She spoke of the safety reassurance she felt as a parent that could not be replicated on somewhere like a high street.
Residents Zyan Edwards and Anushka Patel who grew up in the area, worked in the Vue cinema together where they fell in love.
Patel said: “We met here that’s why we feel quite strongly about it.”
Edwards agreed, and said: “It’s an integral part of everyone’s lives, not just our own.”
The young couple had concerns regarding the potential of an appeal from Regal London but say they would try their best to protect the GNLP.
Anushka highlighted the immense strain the scheme would have on the area’s single GP which is already overstretched and warned an influx of residents would add further pressure on the practice.
Community members shared fears of anti-social behaviour rising with the removal of the GNLP pushing kids out to the less safe high street, where they would be exposed to drugs.
Edwards said: “I think crime rates might actually go up, because when you think about the youth, they need a distraction, they need somewhere to be, and you’re taking away a pivotal part of their community.”
Levitsky echoed this sentiment, explaining the police are worried about the extra burden that a development of this size can generate.
Conservationists also welcomed the rejection amid concerns of the gargantuan impact it would have on the Glebeland nature reserve.
The reserve which is adjacent to the GNLP, is home to one of the largest population of the great crested newts in London.
Petra Schade, Co-Chair of the charity Coppetts Wood Conservationists said: “We’re so happy that the councillors are supporting us because we know this is not right.
“We know it’s against the government guidance and the laws.”
Schade, like many others in the community, is worried about the prospect of an appeal, and feels this rejection isn’t the end of their worries.
She said: “We are at the risk of eradicating these great crested newts in the Glebelands local nature reserve if this planning application goes ahead.”
She spoke of Regal’s plans to tear down the fence which acts as a protection for the reserve, would be extremely costly.
Furthermore, the release of chemicals and dust from construction along with tall buildings blocking sunlight could eradicate the newts.
Community members and campaigners insisted they are not against developments but want it to meet community needs.
A spokesperson from Regal London said: “We remain convinced the scheme delivers much-needed homes and wider public benefits, and we will carefully review the decision and consider all options.”
Although many groups are elated at the council’s rejection of Regal’s plan to demolish GNLP, they remain apprehensive of Sadiq Khan’s response to Regal’s potential appeal, and what that would mean for their community.
Featured image: Hollywood Bowl and Vue Cinema at Great North Leisure Park in North Finchley, credit: Ikraan Mohamed
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