We, the undersigned, call on Barnet London Borough Council, its Planning Committee, and the Greater London Authority / Mayor of London to ensure that any redevelopment of the Park House site in East Finchley:

• Retains and protects the existing green space at the front of the site; 
• Retains all seven trees now protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs); 
• Respects the character, scale and heritage setting of the area, including the nearby Grade II listed East Finchley Underground Station; 
• Delivers genuinely sensitive and policy-compliant development focused towards the rear of the site. 

We are not opposed to appropriate development of the Park House site. However, the current proposals shown to local residents indicate:

• Removal of the important green frontage and all seven TPO-protected trees; 
• Excessive building height and massing, including a proposed nine-storey element; 
• Overdevelopment of a constrained and sensitive town centre site. 

The front green space and mature trees form one of the few remaining areas of greenery along this section of the High Road and make a major contribution to:

• biodiversity and urban cooling; 
• air quality and climate resilience; 
• the setting of East Finchley Station;
• the character and identity of East Finchley town centre;
• the wellbeing of residents and visitors. 

The adopted London Borough of Barnet Local Plan specifically states that:

“The area of green space with mature trees at the front should be maintained and improved…”

and that development must:

“take a sensitive approach to building massing and height…”

We therefore ask Barnet Council, its Planning Committee and the Mayor of London to:

• Reject any proposal involving the loss of the front green space or TPO-protected trees; 
• Require a redesigned scheme that retains and enhances the green frontage; 
• Ensure that any development is lower scale, policy-compliant and respectful of neighbouring homes and heritage assets; 
• Work constructively with local residents and community groups to achieve a genuinely sustainable scheme for the site. 

East Finchley needs new homes — but not at the expense of irreplaceable mature trees, public greenery and local character.