Start of construction work on new flats at the historic station signals end of parking facilities for everyone except Blue Badge holders
The car parks at Arnos Grove Station are set to close next month ahead of the start of construction work on controversial plans for new housing.
The Grade 2-listed tube station, which opened 90 years ago and is often acclaimed as one of the most attractive on the whole network, is set to become flanked on either side by blocks of flats up to seven storeys tall, providing 162 new homes.
It will mean the loss of 292 car parking spaces at the station, which is one of several in the capital – including Cockfosters further up the Piccadilly Line – where Transport for London (TfL) plans to build homes on car parks used by tube and rail passengers.
TfL has now confirmed that the two Arnos Grove car parks will close on Monday, 13th March. It says that it intends to retain capacity for disabled Blue Badge holders to park at the station “as much as possible” throughout construction. However, there will be no spaces available for non-disabled drivers and only Blue Badge spaces will be retained after construction is completed.
The development at Arnos Grove Station is expected to be complete by 2026. A TfL spokesperson said: “Ahead of construction beginning on much-needed new homes for Londoners, we will be closing the car park[s] next to Arnos Grove tube station on 13th March 2023.
“This will allow work to deliver 162 new homes for rent and a range of public realm improvements, including a new public square, to commence. It will also help to encourage people to travel to and from the station sustainably, with several bus routes serving the station.
“All Blue Badge parking spaces will be re-provided once construction is complete and plans will be in place to ensure any disruption during construction will be minimised.”
It was nearly a year ago that a government-appointed inspector granted planning permission for the Arnos Grove housing scheme, following a public inquiry that was held in March 2022.
Enfield Council’s planning committee had originally rejected the proposal by Connected Living London – a partnership between TfL and property firm Grainger – in January 2021. Councillors on the committee argued it would not provide enough family housing, would fail to make up for the loss of car parking, and fail to preserve the setting of the station building.
But after CLL appealed the decision, the council decided not to defend the reasons for refusal at the inquiry – partly as a result of subsequent changes to planning policy. In the decision report, planning inspector David Prentis wrote that by prioritising pedestrians and cyclists the scheme would accord with policies designed to “reduce the dominance of vehicles on London’s streets” and improve access to underground stations.
Addressing the accessibility concerns, he said there would be “no disadvantage” for Blue Badge holders. However, the inspector acknowledged that for people with restricted mobility who are not eligible for a Blue Badge there would be “some reduction in accessibility for persons who currently use a car to access the station”.
TfL says that anyone who has bought a season ticket for the car parks that runs past the closing date will be able to claim a refund for the remainder of their ticket by contacting NCP at ncp.co.uk/help-centre/contact-us
For more information about the Arnos Grove development:
Visit connectedlivinglondon.co.uk/arnos-grove
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