Barnet’s Conservative Councillors have serious concerns about the Government's proposed changes to planning targets and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for Barnet. The decision to make housing targets compulsory will have serious implications for Barnet.
For years, Barnet has struggled under the burden of unreasonably high housing targets that have placed immense pressure on both the council and the community. According to the Department for Housing, Barnet has delivered 22,000 plus dwellings over the past 15 years, with 2022/2023 being the highest year for net additional dwellings for Barnet producing 2,246 homes. Between 2016 and 2023 alone, Barnet delivered 15,536 homes, making it one of the busiest boroughs in London for housing. Building higher and building denser is not the answer, as sadly Labour believes.
Despite these significant efforts, the current target of 3,683 new homes per year, if made legally binding, remains unrealistic and continues to exceed the borough’s delivery capacity. The mandatory nature of the new target will put a strain on the borough’s ability to produce good-quality dwellings at such a scale. The 3,683 target is a 64% increase on the highest delivery rate ever achieved.
“The target of 3,683 is simply too high for Barnet in a single year," said Cllr Richard Cornelius, Conservative Lead on Homes. "The Government must recognise the limits of our borough’s capacity and set more achievable targets that consider the real constraints we face”.
Equally concerning is the Government's proposal to ease restrictions on Green Belt development. Barnet is home to extensive Green Belt areas that are cherished by residents and have long been a point of pride for the community. The proposed changes to the NPPF suggest that local authorities should review Green Belt boundaries and consider alterations to accommodate housing needs, a drastic shift from previous guidance that firmly protected these areas.
"The potential development on green belt is a betrayal of promises made by Labour in Barnet and nationally," Cllr Cornelius continued. "Barnet’s Green Belt is not just a planning and environmental designation; it is a crucial part of Barnet’s heritage. Both major parties in Barnet have committed to protecting the Green Belt, and we, Barnet Conservatives, stand by that commitment. Labour’s new stance risks undermining the very fabric of our borough."
Barnet Conservatives are urging Barnet’s Labour Council to oppose these proposals by their government and to ensure that any changes to planning policies are balanced, sustainable, and reflective of the community’s needs and values.
The protection of Barnet’s Green Belt remains a top priority for Barnet Conservatives. The imposition of a mandatory new housing target well beyond the capabilities of Barnet to deliver and the easing of Green Belt protection threaten Barnet’s heritage.