Government agrees to TfL granting a 250-year lease for the land currently being used for car parking at Cockfosters station three years after consent was first requested
- Government agrees to TfL granting a 250-year lease for the land currently being used for car parking at Cockfosters station three years after consent was first requested
- New proposed car-free development will deliver around 350 new homes, 40 per cent of which will be affordable
- Designs for the development will also enhance access to local green space and replace much of the current surface with new trees and greenery
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has today announced that a proposed new development by Cockfosters Tube station can go ahead. The proposals will deliver 350 new homes, more green space and a boost to London’s economy. TfL has now been granted consent by the new Secretary of State to progress the plans.
TfL is required by the GLA Act to seek the consent of the Secretary of State for the disposal of land used for its operational purposes. TfL first requested permission in 2021 to sell the land currently used for car parking by the station, but this was denied by the then Secretary of State. Now the new Government has given their consent, and plans for the new development can go ahead. This is part of TfL’s work to support the building of new affordable homes across London through identifying appropriate sites to build on.
The proposed 1.36 hectare [three acre] car-free development, which was granted planning permission by Enfield Council in February 2022, will deliver around 350 new homes next to Cockfosters station which sits at the northern end of the Piccadilly line. Forty per cent of the homes will be affordable and car parking options, including for Blue Badge holders, will still be retained at the station. The scheme will also deliver new commercial space improvements to the local area around the station and increased operational space for TfL. The designs also improve public access to nearby Trent Park and the London Outer Orbital Path and have been designed to provide around 4,200 sqm [one acre] of publicly accessible open space for the local community, with the new trees and greenery replacing much of the current hard surface.
Work will now progress to ensure that the development can begin in the coming years, including updating the designs in response to the latest fire safety requirements and liaising with the local council planning authority on any changes needed.
Places for London, TfL’s property company, is working on multiple projects across London and the proposals at Cockfosters will contribute towards its target of starting construction of 20,000 homes, including 50 per cent affordable housing, by 2031. Places for London is delivering homes and spaces where people feel proud to live, work and spend time in. Work has already started on sites across London for more than 4,300 homes and, as part of Places for London’s property programme, more than 1,000 homes have now been completed. This key milestone will be built on in the coming years as developments at Kidbrooke, Wembley Park, Bollo Lane, Barkingside, Southall and Nine Elms complete, providing much needed new housing close to Tube stations.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “After the previous government refused to approve the plans, I’m delighted that the new government has given us the green light to progress exciting plans for new homes at Cockfosters station.
“Building homes right next to public transport connections is a key part of our plans to deliver the high-quality homes Londoners need.
“This important project will deliver new commercial space, increase green space and, most importantly, it will provide the affordable housing that I have pledged to deliver for Londoners.
“I look forward to continuing working with the Government to build a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Graeme Craig, Director and Chief Executive of Places for London, said: “We are delighted that we are now able to make progress with our plans at Cockfosters now that we have the green light to release the land. We look forward to working across the capital with the Government and the Mayor as we progress the plans to deliver the homes that London urgently needs.”
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “This Government is committed to getting Britain building and working with local leaders to boost regional growth.
“I’m delighted to finally unblock this important project to kickstart the development of hundreds of much needed new homes in Enfield.”
Notes to Editors:
- While the scheme will see the number of car parking spaces reduced at Cockfosters station, it has been designed to deliver a new dedicated pick-up/drop-off area, comprised of seven short stay parking spaces, and to re-provide 47 publicly accessible car parking spaces including 12 blue badge parking spaces to support the local area
- TfL first requested consent to sell the land currently being used for car parking at Cockfosters station on 13 May 2021 and consent was given on 15 August 2024.
- Section 163 of the GLA Act 1999 requires that TfL seek the consent of the Secretary of State for the disposal of land used for its operational purposes.
- The Secretary of State has given Transport for London permission to grant a 250-year lease into a section of land at Cockfosters Underground station in Enfield to enable it to be developed for housing. Under the GLA Act, Transport for London requires permission from the Transport Secretary to dispose of its operational land, either by selling or granting a long lease on the land.
- TfL originally applied for permission to dispose of the land in 2021 but this application was rejected by the previous Government. TfL applied again to DfT in November 2023 and this application has now been granted.