The Planning Committee of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 21 April 2026, confirming a Tree Preservation Order for woodland at Land Opposite 15 Sunset View and refusing a basement excavation at 19 Wellgarth Road. The committee also deferred a decision on the subdivision of 40 Midland Terrace and approved extensions at 31 Foscote Road.

Woodland at Land Opposite 15 Sunset View

The committee confirmed a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for the woodland at Land Opposite 15 Sunset View, Barnet EN5 4LB. This decision was made in response to a previous planning application to build a dwelling on the site, which was refused due to the loss of trees and woodland habitat. The new TPO, number 26/TPO/001, provides enhanced protection for the entire woodland area, reflecting its current character as a priority lowland mixed deciduous woodland. This decision discharges the council's duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 to consider biodiversity.

Paul Nunn, representing local residents, spoke in strong support of confirming the TPO, highlighting the woodland's significant contribution to public amenity, its value for wildlife, and its role in mitigating flood risk. He noted that a community petition to save the woodland had gathered over 2,500 signatures. The London Borough of Barnet Estates Department, represented by Christchurch Grove Limited, had objected to the TPO, arguing that existing protections were sufficient and that the TPO would hinder necessary woodland management. However, the committee voted to confirm the order.

19 Wellgarth Road

The committee refused an application for the excavation of a basement at 19 Wellgarth Road, NW11 7HP. The proposal included associated light wells, skylights, and re-landscaping of the rear terrace. Objectors, including residents from Wellgarth Road and Hampstead Way, and the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust, raised concerns about overdevelopment, heritage harm, flood risk, structural damage to neighbouring properties, and disruption during construction. They argued that the scale of the basement was excessive and that the application conflicted with the design guidance for the conservation area.

The applicant's agent, Rory Aikenhead, a qualified architect, argued that the development would have no material impact on the locally listed building or the conservation area, and that concerns about groundwater flooding were unfounded. However, the committee ultimately voted to refuse the application, with Councillor Kamal Bahadur Gurung proposing refusal on the grounds of unnecessary overdevelopment and harm to the character of the conservation area. Councillor Josh Mastin-Lee seconded the refusal, citing the scale of excavation and potential impacts on neighbouring properties and the conservation area.

40 Midland Terrace

The committee deferred a decision on the proposed subdivision of 40 Midland Terrace, London NW2 6QH, into two two-bedroom dwellings. The property had previously been combined into a single larger dwelling. The officer's recommendation was to refuse the application on the grounds that it failed to provide a family-sized home, contrary to Policy HOU-03 of the Barnet Local Plan, which prioritises the delivery of family homes.

Councillor Anne Clarke, speaking on behalf of herself and Councillor Schneiderman, argued that the subdivision would return the property to its original state as two cottages, which are highly sought after as family homes in the Railway Terraces conservation area. She noted the lack of objections from residents and urged the committee to approve the application based on common sense. The applicant, Paul Hoskins, also spoke in support, stating that the proposal would not harm the character of the street or the conservation area and would increase the number of homes. The committee voted to defer the application for further consideration, indicating a mind to approve it, as it was felt that returning the property to its original configuration outweighed the technicality of losing a three-bedroom property.

31 Foscote Road

The committee approved an application for single-storey side and rear extensions, a new front porch, and a roof extension at 31 Foscote Road, London NW4 3SE. The proposal included the demolition of an existing garage and the addition of dormer windows and rooflights. The officer's report noted that the proposed extensions were consistent with the Residential Design Guidance SPD and commensurate with other extensions in the area. There were no objections from neighbours following public consultation. The application was approved subject to conditions.