We’ve just received planning permission from Barnet Council to build a further 27 new homes, all of which are on four disused sites. One of the sites, a disused set of garages on Haldane Close, featured on BBC London recently.
BBC London News visited the ex-garages in Haldane Close, which will now be turned into a block of nine flats. Other sites that have been given the go ahead for building are Bedford Road NW7, Brent Place EN4 both ex-garages and Tarling Road N2, a disused ball court and grass area.
The three new council homes on Alexandra Road also featured on the news bulletin which included findings from a new report, ‘Gap in the Market’. The report identifies that there are around 4552 redundant sites and spaces in 13 London boroughs, including Barnet.
The reporter spoke to one of our residents living in Alexandra Road about how living in their new properties had changed their lives for the better:
“Its life changing as we were living in a very small and overcrowded place before.” says Mr Hamud. “My son is now able to sit and watch TV, go to sleep at night time and use the bathroom – and that’s mostly because of us moving to this house. Our last property was like a prison for him.” said Mr Hamud.
“Now we have more space and a garden my son can use up all the pent up energy which was caused him to run off all over the place and get into danger.” Mr Hamud of his younger son who is autistic.
“We are delighted to be building more new homes for Barnet Council.” said The Barnet Group Chief Executive Officer, Tracey Lees.
“Housing is much more than a roof over someone’s head and Mr Hamud’s statement says it all. We are delighted to have just received planning permission to build on four more disused sites in the borough and looking for opportunities to build more.”