The Lodge, Victoria Park, Finchley

SOS - PUBLIC PARK UNDER THREAT

Stop Press - application for demolition of the lodge has been refused by Barnet Council. Cllr. Ross Houston will be asking questions at this evening's (1st Sep) Policy and Resources Committee from 7.00pm at Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BQ - all welcome!!

Victoria Park, Finchley was created by public subscription for the benefit of the people of Finchley and for generations to come. It was opened in 1902 by HRH Princess Christian, daughter of Queen Victoria and the building now known as 'The Lodge' was built as a park-keeper's cottage.

In November 2014, Barnet Councillors, acting in their dual role as trustees, voted 32 to 31 to sell 'The Lodge', as it was claimed that it could only be used as a residence for a park keeper and would require £100,000 to bring it to 'decent homes standard'.

They have since sold it for £623,000 and the new owner has applied for planning permission to demolish this historic building, and erect a block of eight flats.

This site is within the footprint of Victoria Park, and represents a dangerous precedent for the further development of all our local parks and open spaces.

What can YOU do?

· Object to the planning application by 23rd August 2016 View the planning application online >>HERE<< 

· Or email: nicholas.linford@barnet.gov.uk

· Circulate this information to family and friends and encourage them to object too

Follow Victoria Park on Twitter: @victoriaparkfi1 

Woods and Water - Walk this Sunday

Wellpoint Walk went well, a good turnout and perfect walking weather. A good trek from Finchley to Mill Hill with Tai Chi and breathing exercises along the way.Well done to all those who braved the mud at Rocklands, Burtonhole Lane and Oakfields Wood to get to the finish. Special thanks to the stewards and Angie and the staff at Finchley Golf Club, and Naomi and Raffi at the Summer House. We all appreciate both the food and how hard you worked.

WOODS and WATER - Sunday 1st May 2016 at 12pm.

This is a walk in a completely different direction - northeast from Finchley to Arnos Grove via connecting green spaces and footpaths. We will be going through nature reserves, woods, and along brooks and greenways. We will see several different water features and have very little contact with roads on this one - full details attached. We will be stopping for a packed lunch in the picnic area of Hollickwood Park and then a tea stop at Costa Coffee, which is 0.4 of a mile further on.

MEET AT THE BACK OF THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL 11.45 AM CLICK HERE FOR MAP