EIR - Great North Leisure Park [Sep 2026]

All internal and external correspondence of the Greater London Authority (incl. all reports) concerning ecology and natural environment matters, in relation to the planning application for the redevelopment of Great North Leisure Park, N12 0GL 
(Barnet ref. 25/0213/FUL). 

To include these matters among others: Environmental Impact Assessment, biodiversity assessments, Glebelands Local Nature Reserve, protected species (including Great Crested Newts, bats, slow worms, breeding birds and others)- both on and off-site, environmental law obligations, Natural England guidance and regulations, ecology enhancement and mitigation strategy, studies and reports submitted by the applicant (Arada- formerly Regal London).  
Information to cover the period from 1 January 2023 to 14 August 2026. 

Our response

GLA Officers assessed the proposals in relation to the publicly available reports submitted with the planning application a link of which is attached below: 

The GLA received a high volume of representations on this matter of which a significant number had the same text of:
 

I am particularly concerned about the impact this development would have on the protected great crested newt population at the neighbouring Glebelands Nature Reserve. Great crested newts are a European Protected Species. It is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 to deliberately harm them, disturb their habitat, or damage their resting places.

Barnet Council's Strategic Planning Committee unanimously rejected the scheme on grounds of over-development and harm to the local environment.

Campaigners have separately raised that Arada has failed to deliver the ecological surveys required by law to protect the great crested newts at Glebelands Nature Reserve. Granting planning permission in the absence of these surveys would, in my view, place this consent on legally precarious ground.

I am also concerned about the broader impact on biodiversity. The Glebelands Nature Reserve provides essential habitat that supports not only great crested newts but a wider range of protected species. A development of this scale and density — 1,485 homes in 20 buildings rising to 25 storeys — on the boundary of this reserve poses a serious and unquantified risk to that habitat.

Barnet Council refused this application. Sarah Sackman MP opposed it. Thousands of residents signed a petition against it. I urge you to respect that democratic verdict and decline to approve this scheme.

Protected species are protected for a reason. I ask you to uphold that protection.
 

The GLA holds the attached internal correspondence in relation to this.
 

We have previously disclosed the public comments at: EIR - Great North Leisure Park [Mar 2026] | London City Hall