Barnet Council has approved plans for a new supported living facility in Edgware, located at 25 Green Lane.
The facility will provide accommodation for up to eight adults with mental health needs, offering them low to medium levels of support to transition towards independent living. The decision was made by the council's Planning Committee on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The proposal faced some local objections, primarily concerning the potential impact on neighbourhood character, noise, parking, and safety. However, council officers highlighted the location's sustainability, noting its very good public transport connections and a PTAL rating of 5
and its proximity to Edgware town centre, being approximately 94 metres from Edgware Town Centre.
Adult Social Services confirmed a significant need for such a facility within the borough. The proposed accommodation meets specific criteria, including en-suite bedrooms, spacious communal areas, and wheelchair accessibility. The facility is intended for adults aged 21 to 65 with stable, long-term mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, recurrent depression, and schizoaffective disorder. These individuals will be medically stable and thoroughly risk-assessed. The placement is made following a thorough suitability evaluation by Barnet Council's multidisciplinary mental health team. The service will not accept individuals in acute crisis, those with high-risk behaviours, substance misuse issues, offenders, teenagers, children, or individuals with learning disabilities or autism.
Environmental Health officers reviewed a noise impact assessment and management plan, recommending approval subject to conditions to mitigate noise levels. These conditions include enhanced sound insulation for party walls, requiring a sound insulation value DnT,w and L'nT,w of at least 5dB above the Building Regulations value, and restrictions on noise from the facility's operations.
Staffing arrangements are designed to support residents' independent living and participation in everyday activities. No personal care is provided on site, and residents do not require clinical or nursing supervision. This model reflects standard supported living practice and mirrors existing operations within the borough. Staff will be on-site 24 hours a day, with one staff member per shift and a manager on call overnight. An additional staff member may attend on an ad-hoc basis for escort duties, such as hospital appointments or shopping trips.
The committee acknowledged the concerns raised by local residents but concluded that the benefits of providing much-needed supported living accommodation, coupled with the proposed mitigation measures, outweighed the potential harms. Further details on the planning application can be found in the 25 Green Lane - Committee Report.
The Planning Committee meeting details can be found in the Agenda frontsheet 14th Jan 2026 and the Public reports pack 14th Jan 2026.
