Together, these two projects will deliver over 1,750 new homes, nearly 500 of which will be affordable, alongside new public spaces, enhanced leisure provision and vastly improved connections for existing and future communities across Barnet.

Working with Arada London, JTP led the masterplan to transform the hard-standing, vehicle-dominated retail park into a new landscape-led neighbourhood centred on health, wellbeing and community life. Proposals will deliver 1,485 new homes, including 25% affordable housing, alongside a new Leisure Centre and outdoor Lido, comprising swimming pools, a sauna, steam room, gym, multi-purpose studios and an open-air lido. At the heart of the neighbourhood, a new civic square will create a welcoming focus for daily life, drawing together sport, leisure and community in one place.

The landscape strategy, developed by Bradley Murphy Design, is central to the character of the new neighbourhood. The site will offer 2.5 hectares of new public open space, 325 new trees, and a connected network of gardens, streets and green corridors stitching Finchley High Road to the Glebelands Metropolitan Open Land, delivering 157% biodiversity net gain. The proposals achieve a 61% reduction in CO2 emissions beyond Building Regulations for the residential elements, with a net-zero approach for non-residential components.

Guided by an extensive programme of community engagement, over 22,000 newsletters were delivered locally, a dedicated website received more than 5,700 visits, and a series of public events were attended by more than 400 people. Feedback from residents, community groups and Barnet Council officers played a crucial role in shaping and refining the final proposals.

Nigel Bidwell, Partner at JTP commented, “We are delighted by the Mayor of London’s approval for Great North Leisure Park on behalf of our client Arada London, and are proud to reach this significant milestone in realising our shared vision for this part of Finchley. The project will transform a fragmented, car-dominated brownfield site into a landscape-led neighbourhood, all anchored by a new Leisure Centre and Lido for Barnet, new public open space and strengthened connections to the neighbouring Glebelands open space. At a time when London continues to fall well short of its housing targets, projects like this demonstrate what complex brownfield regeneration can achieve.”

On the same day, High Barnet Place was also approved for Barratt London and Places for London. Currently dominated by car parking and storage uses, the proposals will unlock and enhance this strategically important site into a highly accessible new community delivering 283 new homes, including 40% affordable homes and flexible ground floor uses across five new residential buildings.

Alongside the new homes, the area around High Barnet Station and along Barnet Hill will be transformed through improvements to pedestrian accessibility and safety, new walkways, green and public space, and an improved transport interchange. The masterplan focuses on celebrating the station creating a welcoming, sustainable gateway and an improved station environment. The proposals were shaped through close collaboration with the London Borough of Barnet and a series of community engagement events, including a dedicated night-walk of the local area that directly informed improvements to accessibility, public realm and safety.

In collaboration with Levitt Bernstein’s landscape team, new green spaces, extensive landscaping and over 5,500 sqm of improved public realm will replace the existing grey landscape, introducing a series of character areas including a Woodland Garden, Woodland Play Area and a new landscaped edge along Barnet Hill. The designs introduce 153 new trees and achieve a 167% biodiversity net gain.

Importantly, this planning approval also marks exciting progress for JTP’s technical team in our London studio who will be undertaking the technical work and delivery for the project, working with Barratt London and Places for London.

Emmet O’Sullivan, Partner at JTP commented, “This decision demonstrates strong support for the optimisation of allocated, transport-connected sites to help address London’s housing needs. High Barnet Station has long been an untapped opportunity, and our team is proud to have contributed to unlocking its potential with Barratt London and Places for London. This project demonstrates how sensitive regeneration can deliver much-needed homes, improved public realm and enhanced connectivity, all while strengthening the social fabric of the area. It’s a place designed for people and their experiences, and we are excited to see it come to life following planning approval.”