Covid-19: Khan told to stop TfL car park planning applications during virus outbreak

Susan Hall AM has told Sadiq Khan to stop his “highly controversial” planning applications to build on Transport for London station car parks until coronavirus has been defeated.

In a letter from GLA Conservatives’ Leader Susan Hall, the Mayor was told pressing on with the applications while the capital is in lockdown would prevent the public from properly scrutinising the plans. The letter also raised concerns that the applications would burden already overstretched councils and contradict the Mayor’s call for construction activity to stop.

Transport for London’s plans to develop station car parks will remove large swathes of commuter car parking across outer London while the new homes will receive little residential parking. The most controversial proposals include:

• High Barnet – 300 new homes will be build removing 80 per cent of commuter car parking spaces. 

• Stanmore – 280 new homes, up to 11 storeys, removing a third of commuter spaces while adding no residential parking.

• Cockfosters – 370 new homes removing all 336 car parking spaces while adding no residential parking, except for disabled car parking.

Susan Hall AM commented: “The Mayor must stop his controversial planning applications to build on Transport for London station car parks until we have defeated coronavirus. While the virus persists, it’s simply not possible for residents to be properly informed about planning applications and communities are unable to meet to discuss, debate, and campaign against Khan’s plans.  “I fear that the Mayor’s highly controversial planning applications may sneak through with little scrutiny as everyone else rightfully focuses on beating coronavirus. Sadiq Khan must do the right thing and halt TfL’s planning applications.  “It’s not only residents who will take issue with TfL’s planning applications continuing. Councils are also under incredible pressure with limited resources to undertake highly controversial planning applications. Not to mention, the Mayor has called for construction activity to stop, so it makes no sense for planning applications to continue when they require developers, planners, and the public to make non-essential travel.

“I understand that Sadiq Khan may be reluctant to do this as he made little progress towards his target to start building 10,000 homes on TfL land by 2021. However, there’s no excuse for rushing inappropriate plans through while the capital is embattled with coronavirus to boost his poor house building numbers.”

Transport for London is planning to develop station car parks at Arnos Grove, Blackhorse Road, Canons Park, Cockfosters, Colindale, Finchley Central, Harrow-on-the-Hill, High Barnet, Hounslow West, Northwood Town, Osterley, Rayners Lane, Stanmore, Sudbury Town, and Wembley Park.