Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has spoken out against the decision by Enfield Labour Council to approve L&Q's application to redevelop the Middlesex University site at Cat Hill. The decision was made on Monday 4th March by Enfield's Planning Committee at Ashmole School in East Barnet.
Theresa Villiers has backed residents throughout their campaign against this proposal and the earlier one put forward by L&Q. Following the decision, Theresa said, "Enfield's Planning Committee made the wrong decision when they gave permission for L&Q's development to go ahead. The Cat Hill planning application has been one of the most controversial of recent years for my constituents. I have been contacted by many residents, each raising their own significant concerns about the proposed development.
Like them, I opposed the revised planning application from L&Q which was considered in Monday. L&Q’s first application was unacceptable and was rejected unanimously. The changes made in this second application are little more than cosmetic.
This development will see our local environment damaged with the loss of trees and green space, particularly on the west boundary. No proper measures have been taking to address flooding risks. L&Q’s proposals are still too dense and too high. They are completely out of keeping with the low-rise suburban character of the local area. The residential blocks will be the highest in the vicinity, towering over my constituents’ homes.
Perhaps most seriously of all, the neighbourhood does not have the necessary infrastructure to support such a significant number of new dwellings, and the population increase which the development will bring. I do not believe that local public services, including health and schools, will be able to cope effectively with these changes.
Traffic is also a grave concern. The roads around Cat Hill are already congested and this development would lead to even more intense problems. The parking provision that L& Q have outlined is inadequate. It is completely unacceptable that the developers have suggested that nearby streets like Mansfield Avenue and Vernon Crescent are suitable for overspill parking from the new estate. Parking is a major concern for virtually all the constituents who have contacted me to oppose this planning application.”