Mayor gives green light to Edgware housing plan

8:49am Wednesday 14th May 2008

Regeneration in two Edgware housing estates has taken a step closer to realisation after the Mayor of London gave plans the green light.

The approval of the £200 million redevelopment of Stonegrove and Spur Road estates was the last major planning hurdle faced by developers Barratt Homes.

The decision came after Greater London Authority (GLA) planning officers dropped a host of concerns they had raised with Barnet Council, including the lack of social rented housing.

Councillor Anthony Finn, cabinet member for regeneration, described it decision as "very good news" for residents of the two post-war estates, which have fallen into disrepair.

He said: "It means the scheme can go ahead and bring about major improvements in the lives of everyone who will lives there and our agreement with the developers will also greatly benefit the local community."

The project involves the demolition of the site and the construction of 937 new homes. Barratt Homes has agreed to invest heavily in improved infrastructure and services on and around the site.

This includes £150,000 for health care, £150,000 for parks, £135,000 for highway improvements, £110,000 to improve bus services, and a new nursery.

GLA officers dropped their concerns after developers agreed to provide 14 more homes for social rent, reduce the number of parking spaces and alter the way energy is provided for the site.

However, a report published by the GLA last month raises several continuing concerns. It says the transport assessment submitted with the plans "was not robust as it did not assess sufficiently the anticipated number of trips to and from the site."

It also says the main cost of improving the bus network will fall to Transport for London (TfL) as the £110,000 offered by developers is spread over three years.

The provision of one bicycle parking space for each home is described as "disappointing".

A council spokesman said the level of cycling provision would be much greater than the expected demand and that TfL should expand the bus network in the area anyway, irrespective of the regeneration.

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