Blenheim Road, High Barnet
Contemporary Backland Residential Development Approved at Planning Committee
Planning Reference: 20/0512/FUL
Location: Former Meeting Hall, Rear of 2 Blenheim Road, London EN5 4NF
Status: Planning Approved
This project involved the demolition of a former meeting hall and the redevelopment of a constrained backland site to provide four contemporary self-contained flats together with associated landscaping, cycle storage, refuse facilities and car parking. Planning permission was granted by Barnet Council following determination at planning committee.
The development presented a number of complex planning considerations including the principle of backland residential development, loss of community use, impact on neighbouring amenity, heritage setting, trees, ecology and parking. Through a carefully considered planning and architectural strategy, the scheme successfully demonstrated compliance with both local and London-wide planning policy.
Project Overview
The approved development replaces a former religious meeting hall located to the rear of Blenheim Road with a contemporary two-storey residential building containing four high-quality flats. The scheme also included private amenity space, cycle parking, refuse and recycling facilities and four on-site car parking spaces.
The development comprised:
1 x one-bedroom flat with study
1 x two-bedroom flat
2 x three-bedroom family flats
All dwellings were designed as dual-aspect units with generous levels of private amenity space exceeding Barnet’s minimum standards.
Planning Strategy
The site presented several planning challenges due to its constrained backland position and proximity to neighbouring residential properties and the Wood Street Conservation Area.
A key element of the planning strategy involved demonstrating that:
the loss of the former community use could be justified through a robust marketing exercise
the site could successfully accommodate residential development without harming neighbouring amenity
a contemporary architectural approach could sit comfortably within its surrounding context
the development would preserve the setting of nearby heritage assets and conservation areas
sufficient landscaping, biodiversity and tree protection measures could be achieved
The application was supported by a detailed package of technical reports and planning documentation, including ecological assessments, tree surveys, landscaping strategies and sustainability statements.
Contemporary Architectural Approach
The approved building adopted a contemporary architectural language designed to respond sensitively to the constrained nature of the site while delivering high-quality residential accommodation.
The committee report specifically acknowledged that planning does not require replication of traditional architecture and accepted the contemporary approach given the site’s limited visibility and backland context.
The approved material palette included:
Long-format facing brickwork
Vertical larch timber cladding
Anthra-zinc metal cladding panels
Green sedum roof system
Barnet Council concluded that the scheme represented a high-quality contemporary design appropriate to its setting.
Heritage and Conservation Considerations
Although located outside the Wood Street Conservation Area, the site sits close to several heritage assets including nearby locally listed buildings.
A detailed heritage assessment formed part of the application process, with the final scheme demonstrating that the proposed development would preserve the character and appearance of the surrounding conservation setting.
The committee report concluded that the limited visibility of the backland site, combined with the quality of the architectural design, ensured the proposal would not result in harm to the nearby conservation area or surrounding heritage assets.
Residential Amenity Strategy
Protecting neighbouring privacy and residential amenity formed a central part of the design process.
The scheme incorporated:
carefully positioned windows
obscured glazing where required
landscaped screening
controlled building height through the use of a flat roof form
generous separation distances and amenity areas
The officer report concluded that the development would not result in unacceptable overlooking, overbearing impact or loss of privacy to neighbouring properties.
Trees, Landscaping and Ecology
The site contained a number of protected trees and ecological considerations which required detailed coordination throughout the planning process.
The approved development included:
tree protection measures
ecological mitigation
biodiversity enhancements
extensive landscaping proposals
green roof systems
permeable ecological boundary treatments
The application was supported by arboricultural reports, ecological appraisals and landscape masterplans, all of which formed part of the approved planning package.
Trees, Landscaping and Ecology
The site contained a number of protected trees and ecological considerations which required detailed coordination throughout the planning process.
The approved development included:
tree protection measures
ecological mitigation
biodiversity enhancements
extensive landscaping proposals
green roof systems
permeable ecological boundary treatments
The application was supported by arboricultural reports, ecological appraisals and landscape masterplans, all of which formed part of the approved planning package.
Sustainability and Technical Coordination
The development was designed to address a broad range of sustainability and technical planning requirements including:
carbon reduction measures
sustainable drainage and landscaping
biodiversity enhancements
water efficiency targets
cycle parking provision
refuse and recycling management
accessibility requirements under Part M4(2)
The approved scheme achieved a reduction in carbon emissions beyond minimum Building Regulations requirements while also incorporating green roof systems and sustainable landscape design.
Sustainability and Technical Coordination
The development was designed to address a broad range of sustainability and technical planning requirements including:
carbon reduction measures
sustainable drainage and landscaping
biodiversity enhancements
water efficiency targets
cycle parking provision
refuse and recycling management
accessibility requirements under Part M4(2)
The approved scheme achieved a reduction in carbon emissions beyond minimum Building Regulations requirements while also incorporating green roof systems and sustainable landscape design.
Outcome
Planning permission was successfully secured at planning committee for the redevelopment of this constrained backland site into four contemporary self-contained flats in High Barnet.
The project demonstrates our ability to navigate complex planning, heritage and technical constraints while delivering high-quality contemporary residential architecture within sensitive suburban settings.
Our Role
MSK Design led the architectural design and coordinated the planning submission package for the project, including:
Architectural design development
CGI visualisations
Planning coordination
Design strategy
Residential amenity design
Coordination of supporting consultants
Planning submission drawings and documentation