Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has welcomed the decision by Barnet Council to extend the public consultation period for the proposed Victoria Quarter development in New Barnet to Wednesday 17th June. Originally the formal public consultation was due to close on Tuesday 19th May. The proposals submitted to Barnet Council by One Housing and Fairview New Homes to build 652 flats in buildings of up to ten storeys have met widespread local opposition. The plans can be viewed on Barnet Council’s planning website, using planning application reference 20/1719/FUL.
Responding to the news of the extension, Theresa said “It is very good to see that Barnet Council’s planning committee are giving my constituents more time to have their views heard on this controversial proposal.”
“I asked the council for an extension because I felt that rushing ahead with controversial applications like this one could lead to people being frozen out of the planning and consultation process because of the Covid lockdown. This would mean developments with a big local impact not getting proper public scrutiny, and constituents left feeling disenfranchised and deprived of their full right to take part in local planning decisions.”
“Now the deadline has been extended I would encourage all those who are opposed to this high-rise high-density development in the middle of suburban New Barnet to send their objections to the council before 17th June”.
In April Theresa called for decisions on controversial planning applications to be suspended during the coronavirus lockdown. She also asked specifically for the Victoria Quarter consultation period to be extended.
The Barnet MP has been campaigning against the revised plans put forward by One Housing for the former gasworks site in New Barnet, working alongside residents’ groups, such as Save New Barnet, and ward councillor, Felix Byers. She and Cllr Byers have submitted a joint letter setting out their strong objections to the development. Theresa has set out guidance on how residents can submit their views to the council on Victoria Quarter in an article on her website. Click here if you want to find out how to make your voice heard on this application.
