Barnet Council will produce a report on public engagement in major developments following a deputation at its meeting on 21 October 2025. The council voted to submit the deputation to the current consultation on local validation requirements and bring a report to the next appropriate meeting. This decision, based on a proposal by Councillor Houston and seconded by Councillor Zinkin, aims to address concerns about transparency and resident influence in the planning process by improving communication with residents.

The timeline for the report's completion and presentation to the council is dependent on when the next appropriate meeting will be held.

George Tooley, who led the deputation, advocated for complete and open public engagement in major developments, criticising the current system for lacking transparency and resident influence. He requested a report on implementing a new framework for community participation in planning, including:

  • A borough-wide participation audit.
  • A summary for public information for every major planning application.
  • Pre-application engagement guidance for developers.

He also proposed a people's planning forum to support and oversee the process.

Councillor Naranthera asked which parts of the statement of community involvement would assist residents and which needed further policy support. George Tooley responded that statements need to be translated into meaningful policy and practice.

Councillor Cornelius asked if the current arrangements were satisfactory, to which George Tooley said that the council's policy on participation was not being delivered.

Councillor said that most applications follow detailed discussions with developers, community groups, and interested parties. George Tooley requested a summary document for residents who aren't trained to understand the language of planning and development.

Councillor Barnes highlighted the administration's efforts to secure new social rent homes and asked if it was a move in the right direction. George Tooley said that while they were grateful for any attempt to improve the housing mix, it was almost impossible to decode the number of social homes from the planning portal.

The council voted in favour of Councillor Houston's proposal to submit the deputation to the current consultation on local validation requirements and bring a report to the next appropriate meeting.

The full minutes of the meeting are available at the Open Council Network.