Agenda item
Barratt Homes - Welsh Harp
Minutes:
Messrs Tom Brosnan, Warren Reid and Ned Baker, representatives of Barratt Metropolitan Homes attended the meeting at the request of the Committee for this item. Tom Brosnan gave an update on issuers relating to the initial and future phases of the development on Welsh Harp and their relationship with the SSSI. He started his presentation by drawing members’ attention to the state of the sales and marketing area prior to and after the development. Within the initial phase, 194 dwelling units were to be delivered of which 151 would be private and 43 would be for affordable housing and were scheduled for completion by December 2012 and built to Code Level 3 standard. He continued that ecological documentation and surveys had been provided to the London Borough of Barnet showing how Barratt Homes respected their surroundings including bird and bat boxes on flats. In addition Barratt Homes would provide a financial contribution of £148,648 for Welsh Harp reservoir improvements under the Section 106 legal agreement.
Mr Warren Reid provided further clarifications that drainage improvements would be carried out in accordance with requirements and standards of the Environment Agency and that all flat roofs would have green roof. In keeping with the green theme, RPS Ecology advising on ecological significance had recommended the planting of memorial trees. He continued that as the remainder of the scheme was not financially viable, an options review report on the development was submitted to Barnet Council for review by its officers and to be considered by its Executive by the end of January 2012. Mr Reid confirmed that Barratt Homes had had a meeting with British Waterways and Natural England on how to improve the estate’s relationship with the Welsh Harp reservoir. He advised members that Barratt were still aiming for a total number of units of 2,171 with each phase having its own ecological survey undertaken and a robust testing via Environmental Impact Assessment.
In respect of specific questions raised at the last meeting, Mr Brosnan submitted the following answers:
No. of units in phase 1 197
Anticipated completion December 2012
Management plan was in place to control vehicular pollution and congestion.
Barratt Homes would continue to use sustainable materials in the construction.
Barratt Homes would continue to invest and support the Welsh Harp SSSI.
In welcoming the presentation, Councillor Johnson commended Barratt Homes in the way they had managed the site to date. Councillor Rayner requested that copies of the slides be circulated to all representatives with the minutes of this meeting. He was however concerned that the issue regarding cost savings, financial viability and a review of the scheme could jeopardise the ‘green aspirations’ of the development. Councillor Hart suggested the use of green walls to soften up the development and make it visually attractive.
Councillor Mashari asked about the start date of the agreement between Barratt Homes, British Waterways and the Environment Agency, what progress there had been on the use of the Section 106 funds and whether the ecological report from RPS could be made available to all representatives. In responding to the above, Mr Brosnan confirmed that the agreement between Barratt Homes, British Waterways and Environment Agency had been in existence since the inception of the scheme and that digital copies of the ecological report would be made available as requested. He added that the pontoons were removed for health and safety reasons to be replaced with flourishing water side planting. He continued that the section 106 legal agreement which was under the control of Barnet Council listed the works and the benefits including the contribution to the Ranger service.
Councillor Johnson enquired as to whether the bank was to be re-shaped and an idea as to when planting along the bank would take place. Clive Cohen also reiterated the request for copies of the ecological and bat surveys to be sent to all representatives and an audited account of the section 106 funds. In order to reduce light pollution to birds, he suggested the use of a specialist glass which would not be attractive for birds to fly into.
In response, Mr Brosnan of Barratt Homes stated that planting along the bank side would commence within the week and that the bank had been profiled with a machine up to Cool Oak Lane to ensure its diversity. He undertook to liaise with the Chair to arrange members’ site visit. He continued that bat surveys had been carried out by RPS and although trees that were felled were carried out in a proper manner, memorial trees would be maintained to improve the ecology of the scheme. In respect of light pollution he advised the Committee that specialist light fittings as suggested would be considered. He undertook to obtain a breakdown of expenditure of the Section 106 funds and details of community group involvement from Barnet Council which was in control of the funds.
In bringing the discussion to a close, the Chair requested that Barratt Homes attend the next committee meeting for an update as a lot of questions had been asked but the discussions had had to be curtailed due to time restraints.