More cold feet? (Barnet Borough Liberal Democrats)

Barnet Borough Liberal Democrats <info@barnetlibdems.org.uk>

More cold feet?

November 28, 2008 12:00 AM
By Cllr Jack Cohen in Hendon Times

Not only did we discuss Village Greens at the Planning and Environment Committee, we also (again) considered yet another amendment to the Stonegrove Regeneration Scheme.

The Scheme is set to bring much needed quality homes to replace existing dwellings in this pleasant area of Edgware.

The plans have a chequered and some may say controversial history.

It is rumoured that the original scheme was the catalyst that led to the overthrow of the previous Conservative Leader.

The Developer is Barrett Homes. It is no secret that Barrett Homes is suffering because of the present down turn in the housing market.

Barratt Homes have planning permission to build nine hundred plus homes. Some are for private sale, some for social housing, and some as replacement for the existing properties.

The permission is subject to a section 106 agreement. This places obligations on the developer to provide community benefits as part of the development.

These include, play areas, a community centre and other various benefits for local people.

Not for the first time Barratt Homes have come back with proposals to amend the section 106 agreements.

Some of the amendments presented to the Committees involved very small amounts of cash relative to the grand scheme of things.

The message from officers was that these small amounts were crucial to the viability of the scheme.

Councillors were particularly concerned about the fate of the promised community centre. Reassurances were given. I think rather reluctantly the Committee voted for the changes I wondered if Barratt Homes were looking for a way out. How convenient if the Committee refused the application to amend.

A case of cold feet?