Purpose

The planning application for the residential-led redevelopment of High Barnet Station Car Park and associated land (Barnet Vale Ward) was reported to the Strategic Planning Committee on 8 December 2025. The proposed development comprises the demolition of existing buildings and structures and redevelopment of the site to provide 283 residential units and 567sqm of flexible commercial floorspace within five buildings ranging from five to eleven storeys, together with public realm and station interchange improvements around High Barnet Underground Station.

The Committee resolved to refuse the application, contrary to the officer recommendation. The reasons for refusal related to the height of Buildings A, B and E and the absence of a completed planning obligation at the time of determination.

Following referral at Stage 2, the Deputy Mayor of London exercised powers under Article 7 of the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 and directed that he would act as the local planning authority for the purposes of determining the application. A Stage 3 Mayoral Hearing was subsequently held on 27 May 2026, at which the Deputy Mayor resolved to grant planning permission, subject to planning conditions and the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The Agreement is to be entered into by the applicant, the Greater London Authority and the Council.

HB Public Law has advised that, in the normal course of events, the Council would rely upon a resolution of the Strategic Planning Committee to grant planning permission, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement, as the basis for entering into that agreement. However, this mechanism is not available in this instance, given that the Committee resolved to refuse the application.

In order for the Council to enter into the Section 106 Agreement, the Council’s Scheme of Delegation (Executive Director Growth Scheme of Delegation, including Statutory and Regulatory Duties and Powers – April 2026) requires approval of a Delegated Powers Report to authorise the negotiation, preparation and execution of agreements under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Accordingly, this report seeks approval from the Executive Director of Growth, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, under delegated powers, to authorise the Director of Planning and Building Control to negotiate, prepare and execute the Section 106 Agreement in connection with the High Barnet Station redevelopment proposals.