The Planning Committee of Barnet Council met on Thursday 25 September 2025, confirming a Tree Preservation Order and approving a two-storey front extension. The committee also decided to defer a decision on the conversion of a barn in Brickfield Lane into a dwelling.

Thornbury 57 Barnet Road

The committee confirmed a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for an ash tree at 57 Barnet Road. The order was made to protect the tree from potential damage to its roots and health from the construction of a proposed front garage and boundary wall. Objections were raised by the landowner and a neighbour regarding potential damage to driveways and services, and questioning the tree's special amenity value. However, the Tree Officer argued that the order would maintain continuity of the green corridor along Barnet Road. The committee voted to confirm the TPO with no modifications.

Edgware Abbey 94A Priory Field Drive

The committee refused an application to remove two oak trees at 94A Priory Field Drive, Edgware. The applicant sought removal due to alleged subsidence damage to neighbouring properties at 40-46 Priory Field Drive. Council engineers assessed the damage as slight and noted that while tree roots were found under the foundations, other factors like the property's age and potential for differential movement due to previous underpinning could also contribute to the cracking. Concerns were also raised about the lack of movement joints in the brickwork. Councillors felt the evidence implicating the trees was weak, with one councillor noting the trees were 20 meters away and separated by a building. The committee decided to refuse consent for the removal, stating the loss of the trees' special amenity value was not justified by the alleged subsidence damage.

Devoran, Lime Grove

The committee approved an application for a two-storey front extension with a gable roof at Devoran, Lime Grove. Objections were raised by neighbours concerning loss of privacy, overbearing massing, overshadowing, harm to the conservation area, highway safety, construction impacts, and drainage issues. The applicant and officers addressed these concerns, with the officer's report concluding the extension was modest, the gable roof was in keeping with the area, and that privacy and amenity impacts were limited due to distances and gradients. The committee approved the application subject to conditions.

85 Finchley Lane

The committee approved the conversion of a dwelling at 85 Finchley Lane into three self-contained flats. The application included a first-floor rear extension, a roof extension with a rear dormer, and changes to fenestration. Councillor Prager called the application in due to concerns about the loss of a single-family home. The agent argued that the new local plan policies, specifically HOU03, allowed for such conversions if a family-sized dwelling with garden access was retained, which this proposal did. The committee also discussed and added a condition regarding the completion of alterations to the ground floor side elevation to provide access to the rear communal amenity space before first occupation. The application was approved subject to conditions.

Barn Adj To Windmill Cottage, Brickfield Lane (FUL and LBC)

The committee deferred a decision on the conversion of a barn at Brickfield Lane into a dwelling, along with associated works and listed building consent. The officers recommended refusal for both applications, citing concerns about the impact on the openness of the Green Belt and potential harm to the listed building. Supporters of the application, including the applicant and representatives from Hadley Football Club and the Arkley Association, highlighted the barn's dilapidated state and the benefits of its conversion for preservation and community use. Historic England initially had concerns but later welcomed the amended proposals, noting that while some harm remained, it was significantly reduced. However, the committee voted to defer the decision on both the full planning application and the listed building consent application, indicating a mind to approve them, pending further consideration. This deferral was due to uncertainty about whether the build would cause significant harm to the openness of the Green Belt.