Barnet Council excludes public from Dollis Valley regeneration finance meeting

Barnet Council barred residents and observers from part of a special meeting last month where councillors debated the financial collapse of the Dollis Valley regeneration scheme. The Housing and Growth Sub-Committee excluded the public during discussions on 29 July 2024, after Conservative councillors called in the Labour administration’s deal with developer Vistry.

The original plan, agreed in July 2024, promised 208 affordable homes funded by a £58.85m grant from the Greater London Authority. That grant has now been withdrawn, and the council has no confirmed replacement scheme. A protest petition from residents had already criticised the lack of consultation before the deal was approved.

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Why the public were asked to leave

Conservative group leader Councillor Peter Zinkin told the meeting the call-in was the first in 14 years. He argued the cabinet’s decision lacked “financial responsibility and financial sustainability.” The Conservative councillors’ written case claimed Vistry was under “severe financial strain” and the council had not received “sufficient assurance” on delivery risks.

Labour councillor Barry Rawlings, leader of Barnet Council, acknowledged the scrutiny committee was convened only 24 hours before the cabinet meeting. A paper answering questions was provided 17 minutes before the decision. Rawlings insisted the issues raised did not “materially affect” the cabinet’s choice, calling the Vistry deal the “only viable option.”

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“These residents have been forgotten in all of this. When they were moved away, they were promised they would get a chance to move back to Dollis Valley.”

Councillor Barry Rawlings, leader of Barnet Council

What happens to the empty blocks

The sub-committee decided to commission a full financial assessment of all future options. No new proposals are expected before early 2025. Zinkin suggested demolishing the vacant blocks, which were deemed unfit three years ago. The council estimates demolition and site clearance could cost up to £3m.

Rawlings said the delay was creating “yet more uncertainty” for residents who were moved out of unsafe flats into temporary accommodation. He confirmed these residents were promised a chance to return, but the council has not set a timeline. The regeneration, now called Brook Valley Gardens, has already delivered 400 new homes.

Residents’ preferred option

Dollis Valley resident Peter Esposito opened the meeting by asking why the public had been misled about the GLA grant. He said council officers knew the funding had been approved before the cabinet meeting, but the public were told it was pending. Zinkin later said the original scheme, approved by the Dollis Valley Partnership Board, remained residents’ preferred option.

That scheme proposed 126 private homes and 95 affordable homes. Vistry had declared it unviable. Zinkin said it might be possible to revisit it once the housing market improves. The council has not confirmed whether it will pursue this or another model.

What happens next

Barnet Council will conduct a financial assessment of all options for completing the regeneration. The sub-committee has not set a deadline for this work. Residents will be consulted through the Dollis Valley Partnership Board, but the council has not said when or how this will take place.

The £58.85m GLA grant has been withdrawn, and the council has not identified alternative funding. Demolition of the vacant blocks could begin once the assessment is complete, but the council has not confirmed a start date. Residents in temporary accommodation remain without a timeline for returning to Dollis Valley.