Barnet loses £58m GLA grant after Dollis Valley call-in delay

Barnet Council has lost £58 million in Greater London Authority funding after Conservative councillors called in a cabinet decision to buy 208 affordable homes at Dollis Valley Estate. The delay meant the grant was withdrawn before the scheme could be approved, leaving the future of the regeneration project uncertain.

The funding was intended to allow the council to purchase 187 homes for social rent and 21 for key workers from developer Vistry. The homes were part of the final phases of the Dollis Valley Estate Regeneration Scheme, which stalled in 2023 when Vistry declared the original plan for 221 homes, 126 private and 95 affordable, unviable.

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Call-in triggered by financial concerns

The cabinet approved the acquisition on 21 July 2026, but Conservative councillors used the call-in process to challenge the decision. They argued the cabinet had not been given sufficient information to assess the financial risks of the scheme, which would have shifted the estate from 60% private ownership to 60% social rent.

In their call-in request, Conservative councillors stated the decision was "contrary to the policy framework, namely the council aim of being financially responsible and meeting financial sustainability". The GLA notified Barnet Council on 28 July that the delay meant the grant would be withdrawn, leaving the call-in meeting on 4 August to consider only next steps.

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“Good decision-making depends on transparency, proper scrutiny and access to complete information. These recommendations will ensure councillors have time to consider important matters and that residents can have confidence in robust scrutiny.”

Peter Zinkin, Conservative opposition leader

Council defends original decision

A Barnet Council spokesperson told the Barnet Post the cabinet had considered the full business case before approving the scheme. They said the Section 151 Officer, responsible for financial oversight, had cleared the proposal and attended both the finance and growth overview & scrutiny committee and the cabinet meeting.

The spokesperson added that the homes would have reduced future costs for temporary accommodation, addressing a key budget pressure. "It is regrettable that we cannot now build these affordable homes, which would both have saved the council money on temporary accommodation and provided homes to families who need them," they said.

What happens next

The call-in meeting concluded with recommendations to improve the provision of information before major decisions are taken. The council will now develop alternative proposals for cabinet, though no timeline has been set for their presentation.

The GLA declined to comment on the call-in, directing queries back to Barnet Council. The loss of funding leaves the Dollis Valley Estate Regeneration Scheme without a confirmed path forward.