MP for Chipping Barnet speaks out against revised Cat Hill development (From Enfield Independent)

MP for Chipping Barnet speaks out against revised Cat Hill development

12:20pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

The MP for Chipping Barnet has spoken out over revised plans to build hundreds of new homes on the former Middlesex University site at Cat Hill.

MP Theresa Villiers is against the proposal which has been resubmitted by L&Q Housing Association which was forced to go back to the drawing board after the original planning application was unanimously rejected by Enfield Council Planning Committee in March.

The revised plans recommend reducing the six storey apartment buildings facing the Cat Hill roundabout to four storeys and the overall number of dwellings from 250 to 232.

The homes have also been moved further away from Cow Pond in an attempt to protect wildlife habitats.

But Ms Villiers said: “Despite the changes made, there is no getting away from the fact that this development is still too dense and too high.

“L&Q have not made nearly enough changes to reassure me or my constituents.

“The revised proposals do very little to ease residents’ concerns about the height and density of the development.

“They also fail to address problems around parking, traffic and the impact on the local infrastructure.

“Furthermore, the dwellings are still too close to the southern pond and would involve chopping down far too many trees.

“I am still convinced that this development would be completely wrong for the local area.”

Ms Villiers says she will continue to campaign against the plans.

An L&Q spokesman said: “We are still looking for feedback from residents and others interested in our alternative proposals.

“This process is due to complete in July and we will review in detail all of the comments we have received on our plans.” People can email their thoughts to cathill@lqgroup.org.uk