The plans to destroy the car parks and build flats there were unanimously rejected by Enfield's Planning Committee.

The developers and TfL appealed to the Government's Planning Inspectorate to try to overturn the decision.

Enfield Council decided not to contest the appeal, so the Save Cockfosters team and local councillors stepped in to make the case for keeping the car park.

After 3½ days of an intensive inquiry, with our team cross-examined by TfL's QC, the Planning Inspector decided in favour of the developers. Notice was given to car park users that they will close permanently in the autumn of 2022. But the closure was been delayed for unclear reasons, and latest information is that the car parks will close on 13th March 2023.

[updated on Mon 20-Feb-2023]

Plans to double the size of the North London Business Park development were refused by Barnet Council's Strategic Planning Committee. The Mayor of London will review that decision and could either choose to let it stand or hold an inquiry. The developers could also appeal. Full details on our dedicated campaign website nlbp.eastbar.net

[updated on 23-Jan-2023]

Fairview New Homes and One Housing submitted a series of revisions to their Victoria Quarter planning application. 

The Planning Committee refused the plans, so the developers appealed to the Government's Planning Inspectorate.

The Planning Inspector dismissed the appeal, so the developers tried to start a judicial review of the Planning Inspector.

The High Court Judge, Sir Duncan Ouseley, stated that: "None of the grounds are arguable. They repeat submissions made to the Inspector which he, in the rational exercise of his planning judgment, rejected for legally adequate reasons... His approach is unarguably impeccable" 

So the developers tried again with another High Court Judge to get permission for a judicial review. That was also refused.

So that is the end of the road for Fairview. There is nothing else they can do to try to force the scheme through.

We wait to see what they will do with the site next.

[updated on 23-Jan-2023]

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.

Mat Gunyon, the Council's "Head of Greenspaces" would like your opinion on charging to use tennis courts:

"We want to ensure that tennis facilities are sustainable in years to come and to consider ways to encourage more people to play tennis more often.

Specifically, this consultation aims to:

• understand the local demand and interest in playing tennis

• explore the options with the tennis community for parks tennis management that could apply, based on ideas and good practice elsewhere

• explore the expansion of the pay and play model applied for tennis court hire

• explore the potential for the future operation and/or management of parks tennis"

The consultation at engage.barnet.gov.uk/tennis-in-barnet-consultation closes on 19th September 2022