Update which previous Arnos Grove councillor Daniel Anderson posted on the Save Cockfosters Facebook group [link]

FOI [Freedom of Information Request] Response Reveals Delays Until 2025

You might have been wondering why the housing development at Arnos Grove Station has ground to a halt since work began back in March 2023. So I submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport for London (TfL), and this is what they’ve said:

They have have confirmed that the project, which aims to build 162 new homes, was delayed due to new fire safety regulations issued by the government. These regulations required a redesign of the internal layout of one of the buildings. The planning amendment for this has been approved, but work won’t restart until 2025 – once a new contractor is selected.

TfL has used the site recently for upgrades to the Piccadilly line, but no progress on the housing development has been made. They’ve promised to introduce the main contractor to the community via a drop-in session before construction resumes, but [no] firm completion date has been provided.

Whilst Connected Living London (TfL’s partner) claims they’ve kept the community informed via their website and notifications, there hasn’t been much direct communication with residents. The project website [givemyview.com/arnosgrove] is being updated, but it seems like we are being left in the dark about real progress.

Notably, TfL have refused to disclose how these delays are impacting the project’s budget, citing concerns about their ability to secure the best value from contractors, which raises some concerns about potential cost overruns and how it’s being managed behind the scenes.

Here is the income TfL had from the car parks over the last 5 years.

2018/19 £379,014
2019/20 £380,311
2020/21     £59,110
2021/22 £165,694
2022/23 £210,689 (closed in March 2023)

Even accounting for the pandemic, since the closure of the car parks in March last year TfL have lost well over £300,000 in revenue.

[updated on Tue 10-Sep-2024]

The new government's Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh has cancelled the veto which Grant Shapps, the then Secretary of State for Transport imposed in March 2022. It's highly likely the design of the tower blocks will have to be improved in the light of the post-Grenfell fire safety guidance, and new building regulations and planning applications will have to be approved. This might include measures (such as additional staircases) which will impact cost. More information on the Save Cockfosters website.

Plans to double the number of housing units to be built on the North London Business Park in taller tower blocks were refused by Barnet Council's Strategic Planning Committee. Comer Homes appealed to the Government's Planning Inspectorate to try to overturn this decision, but the appeal was refused. The appeal decision is here.

Full details on our dedicated campaign website nlbp.eastbar.net

[updated on 2024-03-18]

EBRA has been considering the implications of Barnet's draft Local Plans for several years. We have submitted many comments and suggestions to the Council's strategic planning team, and worked with FORAB on a Barnet-wide response.

The final draft is now undergoing "Examination in Public" which continues into  October / November 2022.

You can read our MP Theresa Villiers' report on her involvement during the first week here.