Barnet Council’s planning committee has given unanimous approval for an expansion of the Silk Stream redevelopment in West Hendon, allowing an extra 227 homes to be built at Unit 4, Hyde Estate Road. The decision, taken at the committee meeting on Wednesday 15 July, will raise the site’s total to 1,564 homes and add the equivalent of 18 storeys to the local skyline.
What the approval means
The committee’s sign-off maintains the scheme’s overall affordable housing rate at 34.5% by habitable room. The additional 227 homes include 74 affordable units, keeping the previously agreed ratio intact.
- Total homes on site after expansion: 1,564
- New homes approved: 227
- Additional affordable units: 74
- Increase to skyline: 18 storeys
“Our priority is simple: to keep the cranes moving at Silk Stream – and this application is essential to achieving that.”
The remark was made by Claire Hammond of developer St George Limited, who told councillors the alterations were necessary to ensure the scheme remained deliverable. The site was originally granted planning permission in July 2020 under a joint application from St George North London Ltd and Sainsbury’s. Further changes were approved in September 2024 to add 28 homes and extra staircases to meet revised fire-safety requirements.
Developer context and council considerations
St George — now part of the publicly listed Berkeley Group — argues the additional homes are needed because of a range of pressures that have affected the project since it was first approved. The developer cited factors such as construction cost inflation, changes to building regulations, political uncertainty and shifts in investor appetite as reasons the original scheme was no longer viable in its existing form. A company press release referenced recent financial performance, noting a strong pre-tax profit in 2025/26 and an improved net cash position.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| New homes approved | 227 |
| Total homes on site | 1,564 |
| Affordable units added | 74 |
Councillors weighed these viability arguments against the council’s housing and planning objectives. By approving the application, the committee has allowed the scheme to proceed with the higher density while preserving the agreed proportion of affordable accommodation.
Local impact and practical matters
The expansion will alter the built form and skyline in the West Hendon area and is likely to accelerate construction activity on the Silk Stream site. For nearby residents, this could mean an increase in the duration and intensity of building works as the site continues to deliver the expanded number of units. The retained affordable housing rate means the scheme will continue to contribute a significant number of lower‑cost homes to the borough’s supply, although specific phasing and timelines for completion were not detailed in the planning committee report.
Residents seeking further information should consult Barnet Council’s planning portal for the Silk Stream (Unit 4, Hyde Estate Road) application documents, which include drawings, viability submissions and the committee report that formed the basis of last week’s decision.
As the development progresses, InfoRadar will follow up on implementation, construction timelines and any changes to public infrastructure or services linked to the expanded scheme.
