Mayor's Verdict Awaited on Major North London Housing and Leisure Scheme
The future of a substantial new neighbourhood proposal for North Finchley, featuring 1,485 residential units and a modern lido, now hinges entirely on a decision from London Mayor Sadiq Khan. This follows Barnet Council's rejection of the plans late last year, citing significant concerns about potential overdevelopment in the local area.
Development Details and Scale of the Project
Property developers Regal have put forward ambitious blueprints to construct the extensive housing portfolio across twenty separate buildings, with some structures reaching up to twenty-five storeys in height. The proposed scheme, earmarked for the Great North Leisure Park site, also incorporates commercial space alongside 312 affordable housing units, representing a substantial contribution to London's pressing housing needs.
In addition to the residential and commercial elements, the project promises to deliver 3,791.4 square metres of new sports and recreation facilities. This includes a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool and a brand-new lido, designed to replace the existing Finchley Lido Leisure Centre. The development is projected to generate approximately 870 construction jobs and contribute an estimated £2.5 million in annual council tax revenue once completed.
Local Opposition and Community Concerns
Despite these potential benefits, the proposal has ignited considerable controversy among local residents. A petition opposing the plans has garnered over 8,000 signatures, with critics labelling the development as excessively "crowded" and detrimental to the area's character.
Campaign group Our North Finchley has been particularly vocal, stating: "This proposal would demolish all buildings and replace them with an extremely dense development of very tall blocks of flats. The existing leisure centre will be replaced with a new one on an adjacent site. The Vue Cinema and Hollywood Bowl will not be replaced. This is a bad scheme for many reasons."
Local residents have expressed strong desires for "comparable" replacements for both the bowling alley and cinema that would be lost under the current plans. Furthermore, community members are advocating for additional facilities, including a dedicated GP surgery and a youth centre, to better serve the expanding neighbourhood.
Supportive Voices and Housing Crisis Context
Amidst the opposition, some local voices have emerged in support of the regeneration project. Resident Adam Joseph commented on the planning application: "I am shocked at the state of the Leisure Park now and how it needs improving. We have a housing crisis and need more good quality housing. This development is part of the solution. The current development is car centred and is of poor design. It is easy to say no new development but we need new housing and this is a sensible place to add it. I am pleased that affordable housing has been considered as part of this scheme and there will be leisure facilities."
The Mayor's Crucial Role and Decision Criteria
With Barnet Council having refused planning permission, the final determination now rests with Mayor Sadiq Khan under London's planning regulations. The Mayor possesses the authority to overturn the local council's decision and grant approval if he concludes that the scheme's benefits, particularly its contribution towards London's housing targets, outweigh any identified negative impacts on the local community and infrastructure.
This decision represents a significant test of planning policy priorities, balancing urgent housing delivery against community preservation and leisure provision in a densely populated part of North London.
