Here’s a round up of some of the week’s top stories in Barnet

Borehamwood Times:

Elderly pedestrian killed in car crash in Finchley

A 97-year-old woman, who has not been named, died in a north London hospital on Saturday after being hit by a car in Finchley on Thursday.

The Metropolitan police and London Ambulance Service were called to Churchfield Avenue at 9.43am and the driver of the car stopped at the scene was not arrested.

Police are appealing for witness to come forward so call 101 with information.

Borehamwood Times:

Barnet councillors weigh in on "rabbit hutch" homes in Whetstone

Studio flats as small as 16 sq metres have been proposed to be built in Barnet House, High Road, after a change of use proposal was lodged that falls under permitted development rights.

Barnet Labour Cllr Ross Houston criticised the “rabbit hutch” homes, saying they were part of a policy that allowed developers the opportunity to “bypass” proper planning process, while council leader Cllr Richard Cornelius said the size of some of the flats are not “appropriate living spaces for our residents.”

Resident opinion was mixed, with some speaking out against the amount of congestion to be caused by the development, while others suggested it would add to the local economy, with more people spending on the high street.

Borehamwood Times:

Thameslink may come to Brent Cross nine years earlier than scheduled

Consultation has started for plans to bring Thameslink to Brent Cross nine years earlier than scheduled, along with a new high street, expanded shopping centre, 7,500 new homes and up to 27,000 jobs created.

But campaigners complained that they have been ignored in the planning process and that along with the station will come a waste transfer system and pedestrian bridge, the latter of which may not be suitable for prams, wheelchairs or bicycles.

Borehamwood Times:

West Hendon campaigners protest before public inquiry into estate regeneration commences

Campaigners held a banner outside the RAF Museum, Colindale before the beginning of the second public inquiry into the West Hendon regeneration.

The public inquiry will look into a set of CPOs (compulsory purchase orders) that will see those living in the estate forced to sell their homes to make way for new flats, which campaigners say show the council's desire for "social cleansing" in the area. 

Borehamwood Times:

New plans for North London Business Park released, but Whetstone residents' questions go unanswered

Plans of the landscape for North London Business Park have been added to the application but the Weirdale Ashbourne Residents’ group have had questions unanswered about an access road from the development to their roads.

The amended plans show 150 extra homes than the original 1,200 and a reduction in the size of the tallest buildings, but according to the WAR group, they do not show any information about the road which concerned residents on its original announcement.