The Strategic Planning Committee of Barnet Council met on Wednesday 18 March 2026 and unanimously approved amendments to the Douglas Bader Park Estate development in Colindale. The approved changes will allow for the incorporation of additional staircases to meet new fire safety regulations, while also significantly increasing the provision of affordable housing.

Douglas Bader Park Estate Development Approved with Increased Affordable Housing

The committee granted planning permission for amendments to the Douglas Bader Park Estate development in Colindale, London NW9. The application, made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, sought variations to the original permission granted in March 2022. The primary driver for the amendments is the introduction of new fire safety regulations, specifically the requirement for second staircases in buildings over 18 metres in height or with seven or more storeys.

To accommodate these new fire safety measures, which necessitate additional space within buildings, the applicant, Home Hill LLP, proposed amendments to the massing and layout of Phase 3 of the development. This includes increasing the height of some blocks and adjusting others to remain below the threshold requiring a second staircase. Crucially, these amendments also facilitate a significant increase in affordable housing. The proposals will result in an additional 126 affordable homes, bringing the total affordable housing provision for the development to 398 units, representing 50% of the total homes. This is a substantial increase from the original permission's 36% affordable housing provision.

During the meeting, Fabien Godin, Director for Planning and Building Control, presented the application, highlighting that the changes were modest and enabled the development to comply with new regulations while remaining viable and increasing affordable housing. Tim Sturgis, the agent for the applicant, emphasised the commitment to fire safety and the significant contribution the revised scheme would make to Barnet's affordable housing targets.

Councillor Nigel Young, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, noted that there had been widespread consultation with no objections received. He proposed supporting the application, citing the significant benefit of the additional affordable homes. Councillor Phil Cohen inquired if this was the highest affordable percentage the committee had dealt with, and it was confirmed that while there had been schemes with 100% affordable housing, 50% was a significant and positive outcome.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Deed of Variation to the Section 106 agreement and the imposition of conditions. The decision was made with the understanding that the original permission would be superseded by this new permission if implemented.

The meeting also served as the final session for the Strategic Planning Committee of the current administration. Councillor Young took the opportunity to thank members of the committee, officers, and external stakeholders for their contributions over the past four years, reflecting on the approval of approximately 11,000 homes, including around 3,500 affordable homes, during that period.