Strategic Development Unit Introduction The purpose of the strategic development unit is to secure the strategic regeneration of Barnet, by working with other service areas and external private, public and voluntary sector partners and agents to develop policy, to devise strategy, to secure funding and to deliver regeneration initiatives in key areas. The unit has a statutory or contractual obligation to lead and deliver a range of projects, as well as providing a supporting role to other service areas on key projects or maintaining a watching brief on projects. There are two operational functions within the Strategic Development Unit, each with their own Lead Officer: Major Regeneration Projects Cricklewood, Brent Cross and West Hendon Regeneration Area Dollis Valley Estate Regeneration Scheme Grahame Park Estate Regeneration Scheme Stonegrove and Spur Road Estate Regeneration Scheme West Hendon Estate Regeneration Scheme Strategic Economic Development and Sub-Regional strategy Strategic Property Advice The unit works closely with a number of internal departments including planning, and offers specialist advice and guidance to other departments delivering regeneration and renewal activities. The unit provides advice on the recruitment of consultancy and related services through a Frame Contract 13709. It also contributes to the management of the contract (review of procedures, monitoring, and liaison with Panel members) on behalf of all departments which use the Frame Contract to procure consultancy services. Cricklewood, Brent Cross and West Hendon Regeneration Area The vision The regeneration of Cricklewood, Brent Cross and West Hendon is a £2.5 billion regeneration scheme with a vision to “create a new gateway for London and a vibrant urban area in Barnet” The London Borough of Barnet and the Greater London Authority have identified the Cricklewood, Brent Cross and West Hendon area as a major opportunity for regeneration in the borough over the next 20 years. The council is seeking to take advantage of the area’s strategic location in north London and its support for the regeneration of the area is demonstrated through the inclusion of a dedicated chapter in the draft Unitary Development Plan which provides the framework within which this regeneration can take place. In addition, the area’s importance as a north London sub-regional area is recognised in the Mayor of London’s London Plan (February 2004) which sets out a policy development programme for significant redevelopment of the area. A key part of the vision for the area is the creation of a new town centre incorporating up to 10,000 homes, retail and leisure space. There will be an emphasis on sustainability with the establishment of a new main line railway station, major improvements to public transport provision and a range of community facilities. The regeneration area The area today has a number of physical, environmental and social constraints. Industrial areas, major roads and infrastructure combine to produce a harsh environment. A shortage of facilities for the community combined with a high degree of reliance on the private car adds to local constraints. Bringing about change The regeneration scheme is being driven forward by a partnership comprising the council, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and major developers and investors in the area. In April 2004, the council adopted the Cricklewood, Brent Cross and West Hendon Development Framework as interim Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG). The framework was drawn up in collaboration with the council’s partners and in consultation with local residents, community groups, businesses and statutory organisations. In July 2005, the council consulted on a draft addendum to the Development Framework to identify future development uses for the Eastern Lands, an area featuring the Whitefield Estate, Mapledown and Whitefield Schools and Hendon Leisure Centre. The proposals were adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance by Cabinet in December 2005 and the Eastern Lands now features as a character area in the Development Framework. Strategic Principles The Development Framework includes the key strategic principles for future development in the regeneration area and will serve as a working document to guide developers, prospective purchasers and investors in the creation of detailed development proposals. These will need to be consistent with the principles set out in the framework if they are to be supported by the council. The following is a summary of these principals: a new town centre with major new shopping and leisure development as part of a comprehensive mix of uses a range of employment uses located around a new transport interchange in the region of 10,000 new homes a commitment to the provision of affordable housing and places of local employment for the existing and new communities improvements or additions to existing community facilities as part of the creation of a sustainable community (including health and education) an additional main line railway station new bridges across the A406 North Circular Road and the Midland Mainline Railway a new High Street to integrate the areas to the north and south of the A406 North Circular Road a new Market Square a new food store a new bus station with modern facilities and improved services a high quality transit system from Cricklewood Station to Brent Cross Shopping Centre and Brent Cross Underground Station via the new town centre improvements to the highway network including a new road junction on to the A41 to provide access to the Eastern Lands improved pedestrian connections to existing public transport, particularly Brent Cross Underground Station, including two new pedestrian bridges across the A41 and the A406 provision of freight facilities provision of strategic waste handling and recycling facilities for local residents improvements to the River Brent and links to the Welsh Harp Reservoir the provision of new public open space, enhancement of the existing green spaces and links to established neighbourhoods a fully accessible street network that positively encourages the use of public transport, walking and cycling over the car a comprehensive approach to regeneration that embraces implementation on both sides of the A406 North Circular Road concurrently a commitment to deliver sustainable development a deliverable solution with measurable benefits for everyone When will the scheme start? The outline planning application for the Cricklewood and Brent Cross area is due to be submitted towards the end of 2006. Due to the size and complex nature of the scheme, the determination of the planning application by the council will take some time. Therefore it is likely that development will not commence until at least the latter part of 2007. Although part of the Cricklewood, Brent Cross and West Hendon regeneration scheme, the regeneration of West Hendon is progressing independently. Further information relating to West Hendon is included later in this document. Dollis Valley Estate Regeneration The Dollis Valley regeneration scheme lies to the north of the borough at High Barnet, the last stop on the Northern Line. The estate is on a south facing slope within an area of traditional suburban housing with excellent views across the adjacent Green Belt - is considered to be of high quality and designated as both Heritage Land and a Countryside Conservation area. The estate was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s and comprises two and three storey houses and five storey blocks of flats and maisonettes. For years the estate has suffered from many of the problems typical of post war estates. In December 2003 Warden Housing (part of the Home Group, one of the largest registered social landlords in the UK) was chosen by residents and the Council to take forward the regeneration. The Regeneration Programme The regeneration of Dollis Valley estate will see the demolition of 436 flats and maisonettes and the provision of new affordable rented and shared equity homes for existing residents and homes for sale on the open market, including shared ownership. On completion, the programme will deliver up to 1,100 new homes. A public square with retail and community facilities will be central to the new neighbourhood and create a link with the Green Belt. The Planning Framework In February 2005 Barnet’s Cabinet approved the first stage of a Development Framework for the estate, the Dollis Valley Vision Statement. It sets down the guiding principles and policies which form the parameters for the development of the Masterplan. A copy of the Vision Statement can be found online at : http://www.barnet.gov.uk/index/environment-planning/regeneration/regeneration- projects/regeneration-dollis-valley.htm Hard copies are available from the LBB Strategic Development Unit. The Masterplan The ‘Masterplan’ sets out the design and layout of the new neighbourhood, including new housing, community facilities and improved roads and access. Following consultation with residents and stakeholders, it is proposed that the new neighbourhood will have a traditional streetscape to support its integration into the surrounding suburban environment. The proposals seek to minimise the demolition necessary. The houses to the south of the estate, at Crocus Field and Meadow Close, will be retained and brought up to the "Decent Homes Standard" as part of a modernisation programme led by Barnet Homes. A Planning and Development Forum for residents and stakeholders of the Dollis Valley Estate and the wider community will be held and form part of the Planning Framework. An Outline Planning Application is expected to be made in 2007. Grahame Park Estate Regeneration Overview Grahame Park is Barnet’s largest housing estate with 1,777 homes built by the GLC in the 1970s. Although the estate is popular with many early residents, significant problems arose due to the concentration of vulnerable and disadvantaged people, and because of the estate’s design which isolates it from the surrounding areas. The regeneration proposals for Grahame Park form a central part of the Colindale Development Plan.