A former car park in Mill Hill will be transformed into 130 new homes after Barnet Council's Strategic Planning Committee approved the application. The development, located at Bunns Lane Car Park near Mill Hill Broadway Station, will include 50% affordable housing and improvements to the surrounding area, including enhancements to the station entrance and street improvements along Bunns Lane.
The project, submitted by Bunns Lane Development Limited, a joint venture between Stories and Aviva Capital Partners, aims to redevelop the 0.5-hectare site into three linked buildings ranging from four to six storeys. The scheme will offer a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units, along with private and communal amenity spaces, public and residential car parking, cycle parking, landscaping, and public realm improvements.
Richard Meyer from Stories, the developer, addressed the committee, highlighting the benefits of the scheme, including affordable housing and improvements to Buns Lane. The developer engaged with local residents, stakeholders, and officers, and found that local people wanted to see the proposed network rail step-free access to Mill Hill Station protected, reprovision for as much car parking as possible, and a design that was responsive to the character of the area.
The development will include 50% affordable housing, split between 30% London Living Rent and 70% Discount Market Rent. The 'Discount Market Rent' (DMR) will be calculated as 70% of the intermediate tenure, with a 30% of London living rent. The income eligibility gap for discount market rent is typically aligned with London living rent, which is reviewed annually by the GLA. The committee discussed concerns about the loss of parking spaces and the lack of family-friendly housing. Councillor Duschinsky raised concerns about the loss of parking spaces, the impact on local businesses, and the lack of family-friendly housing. Councillor Farrier asked about air quality and noise from the railway.
To address concerns about air quality and noise from the railway, the developer has been working with an environmental engineer to develop a strategy that includes using high-performance glazing, heating and cooling systems, and air filters. The performance of the glazing and the air filters will ensure that residents can live comfortably without needing to open windows.
The development will retain 38 car parking spaces, 30 of which will be publicly accessible via pay and display, including four short-stay drop-off spaces and six blue badge spaces. The remaining ten spaces will be for private residential use and will be gated. The developer is also providing as much parking as possible, maintaining access for Network Rail, and designing a new drop-off area and a new high-quality entrance to the station. They are also working on improving the existing junction. The development will also include 215 cycle parking spaces, including 201 long-stay residential spaces, six short-stay visitor spaces, and eight public spaces near the station entrance.
The public realm improvements include enhancement to the western entrance of Mill Hill Broadway station, landscaping and public realm works, street scene improvements along Buns Lane, which includes removal of the retaining wall, highway improvements and relocation of the site access road.
The committee voted to approve the application, with five councillors in favour and three against.
