Topic
Housing
25 stories, newest first · page 1 of 2.
Property & Planning · ColindaleBarratt Redrow launches 168‑unit Gardenia Collection near Colindale station
Barratt Redrow has opened the Gardenia Collection at Colindale Gardens, adding 168 apartments of one to three bedrooms close to the Northern Line. Prices begin at £355,000 and the development offers a gym, sauna, steam room and round‑the‑clock concierge service.
Colindale3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 50 · Hype 60
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet Council in talks to raise council tax above 5% limit
Barnet Council is in discussions with the Government about permission to increase council tax beyond the usual 5% annual limit. The authority is facing a £200 million budget deficit over the next three years, largely due to rising costs for adult and children's social care and temporary accommodation for homeless families.
Barnet4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Council & Politics · East BarnetNew Towns Programme Faces Building Material and Workforce Shortages
A parliamentary committee has warned that building material shortages, workforce gaps, and utility capacity could limit the government's new towns programme. The House of Lords' built environment committee identified five key challenges, including those affecting a proposed 21,000-home development in Enfield.
East Barnet3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 61 · Hype 20
Council & Politics · HendonHendon MP welcomes departure of Grenfell-linked housing boss
Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky has welcomed the departure of Laura Johnson from The Barnet Group. Johnson, who was director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea during the Grenfell Tower fire, had faced criticism from the public inquiry.
Hendon3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 20
Council & Politics · BarnetFormer Grenfell housing director leaves Barnet Group role
Laura Johnson, who oversaw cost-cutting measures at Grenfell Tower before the 2017 fire, has left her position as director of development and property at the Barnet Group. Her appointment had drawn criticism from survivors.
Barnet4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 95 · Hype 32
Property & Planning · New BarnetBarnet Council launches estate agency to tackle empty homes
Barnet Council has opened a new estate agency, Bumblebee Property, in New Barnet. The service aims to bring long-term empty homes back into use by offering landlords grants of up to £40,000 if they let their properties through Bumblebee for five years.
New Barnet3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 72 · Hype 30
Property & Planning · BarnetBarnet Housing Director Notes Shift from Leasehold to Build-to-Rent
Barnet Council's director for housing has observed a significant shift in development strategies, with traditional leasehold flats being replaced by build-to-rent, co-living, and student housing schemes. This change is attributed to market pressures including soaring property prices, rising service charges, and building safety concerns.
Barnet3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 67 · Hype 41
Property & Planning · BarnetBarnet Developers Shift From Leasehold Flats Amid Market Collapse
Developers in London are increasingly avoiding leasehold flats due to high service charges and concerns over maintenance and cladding. Barnet Council's director for housing, economy and placemaking, Luke Ward, told the London Assembly that alternative models like build-to-rent and co-living are now preferred.
Barnet5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 77 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet Council Investigates 22 Homes for Licensing Breaches
Barnet Council has launched targeted evening enforcement operations inspecting 76 properties and placing 22 under legal investigation for suspected licensing breaches. Fines totalling £187,000 have already been issued this year for HMO management failures.
Barnet2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 80 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · East BarnetEnfield Council Adopts New Four-Year Plan Amidst Debate
Enfield Council has approved its new four-year plan, 'Delivering for Enfield', for 2026-30. The plan outlines priorities including cleaner streets and safer neighbourhoods. Councillors voted to adopt the plan, with Conservative members in favour and Labour and Green members abstaining.
East Barnet3 min readTrust 40 · Craft 60 · Hype 40
WorldEnfield new town plans face transport criticism
A proposed 21,000-home new town development at Crews Hill and Chase Park in Enfield faces criticism from academics who say it will fail without integrated public transport from the outset. The government is expected to decide on the plan by year-end.
3 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet appoints former Grenfell housing chief despite survivor backlash
Barnet Council confirmed Laura Johnson, former housing director of Kensington and Chelsea, has been hired as group director of development and property by The Barnet Group. The council says the recruitment was legal and transparent, but Grenfell United and survivor Ed Daffarn have called for an immediate review.
Barnet3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet Council Faces Social Care and Housing Pressures
Barnet Council is experiencing significant pressure on its social care and social housing services, exacerbated by a rise in mental health referrals. The government has announced plans for a National Care Service and increased investment in housing and mental health facilities.
Barnet3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 57 · Hype 20- World
Tenant wins £7,884 rent repayment over unlicensed HMO
A Muswell Hill tenant has successfully reclaimed nearly £8,000 in rent from her landlord after a tribunal found the property was an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The tenant reported significant issues including mould, fire hazards, and a collapsed ceiling.
3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 60 · Hype 20 - World
Barnet faces 16 new Gypsy and Traveller pitches target
Barnet Council is set to be allocated a target of 16 new Gypsy and Traveller pitches by 2036/37 under the draft London Plan. The plan proposes varying targets across London boroughs, with Havering expected to deliver the most pitches.
3 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 30 - Property & Planning · Edgware
Edgware HMO Application Faces Scrutiny Amid Wider Licensing Changes
Brent Council is reviewing five applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), with one in Edgware proposing a seven-bedroom, ten-person dwelling. This comes as the council implements a new licensing scheme for smaller HMOs, aiming to improve standards across the borough.
Edgware3 min readTrust 46 · Craft 85 · Hype 15 - Council & Politics · Barnet
Dollis Valley Estate Regeneration Deal Collapses, £58.85m Grant Lost
A regeneration deal for Barnet's Dollis Valley Estate has collapsed, resulting in the loss of a £58.85 million Greater London Authority grant. Barnet Council now faces significant demolition costs and uncertainty over the future of condemned blocks.
Barnet5 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 30 - Council & Politics · Barnet
Grenfell-linked director appointed at Barnet Group
Laura Johnson, who was director of housing at Kensington and Chelsea Council during the Grenfell Tower fire, has been appointed group director of development and property at The Barnet Group. The role was advertised with a salary up to £157,078. Barnet Council stated the appointment was made on merit.
Barnet3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 75 · Hype 45 
WorldDisabled tenants fear fire safety despite new evacuation plans
Disabled residents in high-rise flats are still living in fear over fire safety, campaigners have warned. New regulations for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans have come into force, but many disabled tenants are not eligible or feel landlords are not acting sufficiently.
4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 45
WorldWandsworth Council Fined for Disabled Woman's Housing Delay
Wandsworth Council has been ordered to pay £6,300 to a disabled woman, referred to as Miss X, after failing to move her from unsuitable accommodation for over two and a half years. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman cited the council's failure to secure alternative housing and address a persistent leak.
2 min readTrust 55 · Craft 55 · Hype 50