Proof that New Barnet cannot cope with more flats

If ever there was proof that New Barnet will struggle to cope with more flats it is the total disaster that we have had with no gas and the electricity cables burning through. This shows that the infrastructure in New Barnet is running at full capacity already. The Council's strategy of increasing housing density will simply result in more occasions when the infrastructure can't cope.

New Barnet target for flats and retail development

Having read through the Local Development Framework (LDF)what is most shocking is how someone somewhere in the Council, has targeted New Barnet to be the dumping ground for lots of new flats and superstores. The LDF states on page 29 "The largest town centres Chipping Barnet, Edgware, Finchley Church End, New Barnet, North Finchley will be the focus for commercial development and residential growth as part of mixed use development". In fact New Barnet is the smallest district centre in Barnet as classified by either the number of shops or by the square meterage of the businesses. It also states that New Barnet is "considered suitable because of its accessibility by a choice of transport modes and having a
character more appropriate to higher density mixed use development".

I went to see my local councillor about the LDF this morning. Guess what? Cllr Burton had sent his daughter along instead because he was "away on business". I'm sorry but that isn't good enough. There are three councillors representing New Barnet. Couldn't one of them have made it. This LDF will impact on the area for many years to come and our elected representatives should be listening to what we have to say - a bit difficult if they don't turn up!