The destruction of the Green Belt in Barnet - Part 2 - Lack of Enforcement

My second blog of the New Year detailed how the man who was elected to be deputy Chairman of the Hendon Conservatives last March, Andrew Reid had built a zoo and childrens farm on Green Belt land in the Conservation area. Whist such an amenity has benefits for the community, I was appalled at the siting of the facility, which has destroyed the view of Totterdige Valley from the Ridgeway. This view is mentioned in the Barnet Council UDP. The purpose of the Conservation area, as Mill Hill Conservative Councillor John Hart well knows is to preserve the character of the area. Any changes, even to the windows of houses, is subject to the most stringent planning regulations.

I checked out how planning permission was granted for such a huge installation. I have friends who live in the conservation area who had to install special "green parking" bays (these use a lattice system so grass can grow) in their own gardens. I was amazed that Mr Reid could install a car park with huge metal fences (I know land owners who had to install sympathetic fences) in such a place and stay within these rules. Strangely, I found that there was no planning application from Mr Reid. I asked whether Councillor John Hart and Councillor Maureen Braun, who is the chairman of the Hendon Planning authority, had been advising their friend from the Conservative association and whether they'd decided that the normal rules in the Conservation area didn't apply to their friend Mr Reid and his Childrens Zoo and Farm and it's surrounding installations.

As a result, several avid readers of the Barnet Eye contacted me, and passed me various emails. It seems that the planning department were aware of the installation and had asked Mr Reid to submit for planning permission. Mr Reid retorted that he didn't need it as it was all within "permitted use". One of my correspondents forwarded me an email, sent to him by a Barnet Council Planning Officer, following the councils discussions with Mr Reid. It contained the following paragraph:-

Another problem with serving a planning enforcement notice is that there is a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and I have no doubt that Mr Reid would make such an appeal. In the event of an appeal, there is likely to be no decision on the matter for at least another six months and in the meantime Mr Reid has a right to continue the use.

I could not believe my eyes. Is this now official Barnet Council policy? Will they not enforce planning law on anyone who might appeal or have they made a special case of Mr Reid. If you, like me, are one of the thousands of Barnet residents who have had to change our building plans and designs because Barnets planners have "insisted", what are you thinking. Yet again the question has to be asked. Why do the council seem to apply one set of standards in planning for the man elected deputy chairman of Hendon Conservatives and another for everyone else. If the Council know that Mr Reids zoo breaches planning rules, they should serve an enforcement notice immediately. If it doesn't breach the rules they should say so and explain why. Not serving a notice because Mr Reid will appeal is not acceptable.You may recall that Mr Reid told the local press that he'd worked extremely closely with the Council. It is all too clear to me that too many Barnet Conservative Councillors are rather too keen to facilitate all manner of people who wish to change the face of the Borough forever. The Leader of the Council, Lynne Hillan even boasted how Fairview Homes had paid for their own council officer in a recent radio interview.

The bottom line with this and the sad truth is that it is clear that under the Conservative Administration at Barnet Council, the green belt is at risk. If Barnet Council will not enforce planning law on the Green Belt, then soon there won't be a green belt.

Sheepwash Pond and the Tory Deputy Chairman

Sheepwash pond on the Ridgeway is one of the Mill Hill's outstanding landmarks. Generations of children have come to admire the ducks and geese that nest in the island in the middle of the pond. There is a rich flora and fauna with a massive variety of fish, birds, bats and amphibians making their homes around the pond. Anyone familiar with wildlife and conservation will know that many of these species like a quiet environment.

Although the front edge of Sheepwash pond borders the busy Ridgeway thoroughfare, the back edge has trees and farmland (see attached picture from Google Earth). This sort of habitat is vital for the protection of native flora and fauna. Sites like these preserve the fragile ecosystem and form vital Oasis's in the frenetic and busy modern world. The vast majority of residents of Mill Hill recognise the importance of such sites. This is the reason that the Mill Hill Preservation Society in association with the Scouts and the Former owners of the Belmont Riding Stables renovated and cleaned the pond in 1990/1. Schools such as the neighbouring St Pauls use the pond to educate children about the environment. It gives children an opportunity to see native species in their natural habitat.

I've been appalled to see what Hendon Conservative Deputy Chairman and current owner of the Belmont riding stables has done to the pond.  I took some pictures on a visit on Sunday and was deeply upset to see how he's actually fenced off some of the pond to use as a watering hole for his recently installed zoo. This pond is an amenity (I thought for all generations in Mill Hill). What does it say about the Conservatives in Barnet when they treat a natural beauty spot in such a way? Do they not understand the impact that such invasive actions has on the fragile ecosystem and the native species. I am amazed that Barnet Council permits such actions, especially in the Conservation  area. What conclusions can we draw from this. Have a  look at these pictures.

This picture shows how a new fence has been installed IN the pond.In the background you can see non native animals from the "Zoo" drinking. Who knows what effect such a fence will have on the traditional inhabitants of the pond, such as the geese and ducks. I am also worried about the possible effect of the fencing posts on the clay base of the pond. Sadly we won't know until drier weather in the summer if this has been compromised.

This next picture shows the view of the fence from the Ridgeway. Where previously there was an unresticted view of the Totteridge Valley, now we have ugly fences. Can anyone who knows the area possibly think that this is anything other than an act of gross vandalism? One has to conclude that the only people who don't are Conservative Councillor for Mill Hill, John Hart and the rest of the Hendon  Conservatives. As Andrew Reid who owns the Belmont stables and installed these fences is the Deputy Chairman of the Hendon Conservative Association, responsible for membership and fundraising (according to their website), they clearly think that this is marvellous.

Now just in case you think I'm over egging the case for this, lets just remind ourselves that this is in the Conservation area. This means that anything which materially alters the view has to undergo a stringent planning regime. Only in cases of urgent public need, are such alterations normally allowed. Whilst Barnet Council seem happy to let these fences go up, they were taking enforcement action against another fence just down the road (strangely the owner of this fence wasn't a deputy chairman of a local party). This fence is in the middle of a field. Tell me which you think has the greater impact on the look of the Conservation area?

This fence was replacing an existing barbed wire fence. Barnet Council served enforcement action on the owner. All of the rules on protecting the conservation area are there for a good reason. Once it's been destroyed, it's gone forever. Maybe the wealthy landowners of Mill Hill don't care about future generations. Maybe they don't care about conservation of wildlife. Maybe the local Conservative Party don't care what happens to the green belt and the conservation area.

I can assure you of one thing though. The people of Mill Hill care passionately about all of this.

Would you trust John Hart and the Hendon Conservatives to defend the green belt?

I've spent much of my life walking around Mill Hill. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful parts of London and needs to be treasured and preserved. My son goes to school on the Ridgeway and is treated to spectacular views of London and the Totteridge Valley as part of his daily routine. How many children in London can be so lucky?  Much of this part of Mill Hill is within the Conservation area. This means that nothing which materially changes the views and scene of the area can be done without undergoing a rigorous process of planning permission. Even erecting a fence without permission will result in a visit from the Barnet planners. Mill Hill is lucky to have an exctremely active organisation called The Mill Hill Preservation Society which vigorously defends the Green Belt.

Until March this year, I believed that there was a consensus amongst all local political parties that the protection of the Green Belt was paramount. I believed that they all agreed that one of their highest priorities was to ensure that the green belt is safeguarded.


Then I saw this announcement on the Hendon Conservatives website (please click on the screenshot featured left for a readable version or click on the link).

This said the following :-

The officers of Hendon Conservative Association are responsible for the day to day management of the Association and are elected annually by members.

The following were elected at the Annual General Meeting held on 23 March 2009:

Janice Lavery - Chairman, Hugh Rayner - Deputy Chairman (Political), Andrew Reid - Deputy Chairman ( Fundraising & Membership) and Elliot Arwas - Treasurer.

 This announced that Andrew Reid, owner of Belmont Stables on the Ridgeway was appointed to be Deputy Chairman of the Hendon Conservative Association. It is fair to say that Mr Reid and the Mill Hill Preservation Society have not seen eye to eye over the issue of what constitutes acceptable "enhancement" of the green belt. Before Mr Reid owned Belmont Riding Stables, the image at the top of the page was an unrestricted view of the Totteridge valley. Now it is a view of the car park for Mr Reid's newly installed Zoo.

The view to the left is how it used to look before the Zoo was installed.  The grazing field that until recently had farm animals on, has been concreted over. A huge complex of buildings containing Owls and other birds of prey have been installed. Ugly steel fences security fences have been erected. All of this has happened since Mr Reid was elected as an officer of the Hendon Conservative Party. It amazes me that Barnet Council could possibly allow such a development on green belt land, designated for grazing.

 There are many aspects of the whole issue which require further investigation, but one thing is beyond all reasonable doubt. Mr Reid is well known in Mill Hill. John Hart has long been associated with the Mill Hill Preservation society. A leading Hendon Conservative personally assured me, in Mill Hill Broadway, less than three years ago, that he was a steadfast supporter  of the Green Belt. He told me that he would fight any development and passionately cared about conservation. You know what? I actually believed him. Here's another "view"which Barnet Council says is a protected view of the Green Belt, this is the after view. Mr Hart and  the Hendon Conservatives clearly believe that this is how the Green Belt should look, this is confirmed by their choice of officers for the Hendon Conservatives. I think it is awful.

"The Conservatives are finished in Mill Hill"

I'm not a member of the Hendon Conservative association and I'm not a member of the Mill Hill Preservation Society. My Dad was the former and gave them pots of cash over the years. My mum was in the latter and also gave them a fair few quid. The Preservation Society is a huge influential organisation locally and has fought many battles to protect the green belt.

A very well known and influential local figure, who is both a stalwart Tory and a stalwort MHPS member approached me yesterday and said "The Conservatives are finished in Mill Hill. I certainly won't be voting for them at the next election". I was rather surprised by this statement. She continued "I don't really like your blog, but I know many people locally read it. Please can you put something on it about Andrew Reid becoming deputy chairman of the Hendon Conservative Association. This is something everyone should be aware of".

For those of you who don't know Andrew Reid, he's the owner of Belmont Stables and many acres of the green belt between Mill Hill and Totteridge. He's also had many battles with the Preservation Society over proposed developments at the stables. I've not had the pleasure of his acquaintance, but lets just say that locally, especially amongst the Preservation Society members, he's not going to be winning too many popularity contests.

Here's a link to the Hendon Conservatives website. He's the third face down. If I was John Hart, or any of the other Tory candidates, I would be a little worried. I've no axe to grind with Mr Reid, but there are many people who have. According to my friend, this will make a massive difference next May at the Council elections. I also suspect it might finish any lingering hopes Mr Matthew Offord had of getting elected as the MP.

Anyway, I promised my friend I'd let everyone know, so I have. Oh and by the way, she said she's going to be shutting her chequebook as well.