Great North
Leisure Park
(GNLP)
Overview
Great North Leisure Park sits beside Glebelands Local Nature Reserve, which supports the largest known population of Great Crested Newts in Greater London. Arada London, formerly Regal London, proposes to redevelop the leisure park with 1,485 homes in buildings up to 25 storeys high and a replacement leisure centre. The existing cinema, bowling alley and restaurants would be lost.
Our North Finchley opposes the scheme in its current form. Our main concern is the impact on Glebelands: protecting the newts means protecting the ponds, surrounding habitat and wider ecosystem on which they depend. We believe the proposed safeguards do not adequately address the risks from construction and a substantial increase in activity beside the reserve. We are campaigning for a smaller, carefully designed redevelopment that protects wildlife, retains valued leisure facilities and provides homes that meet local needs.
Arada London claim:
“The development will create a more connected and pedestrian-friendly environment, improve access to nature and establish a new destination for sport, leisure and healthy living in Barnet.”
What is actually being proposed?
The existing bowling alley would be demolished, with no replacement included in the scheme.
Loss of family-friendly restaurants
The existing restaurants would be demolished, reducing local options for family meals and social outings.
The cinema would be demolished without replacement, removing a valued local entertainment venue.
An inadequate replacement leisure centre
The proposed centre would have no children’s wave pool and, in our view, would inadequately replace existing family leisure provision.
Habitat loss and pressure on Glebelands LNR
Habitat loss, construction disturbance and increased visitor pressure threaten the reserve’s Great Crested Newts and wider wildlife.
~4,500 residents, in 1485 flats, in buildings up to 25 storeys
Planning timeline and key developments
Glebelands and its wildlife
Glebelands Local Nature Reserve is an important area of wet woodland supporting the largest known population of Great Crested Newts (Triturus cristatus) in Greater London, alongside bats, slow worms, breeding birds and rare plants.
Great Crested Newts depend on a connected network of breeding ponds and terrestrial habitat where they feed, breed, shelter and hibernate. Rough grassland and hedgerows within the proposed development site also provide suitable habitat, which would be lost through redevelopment.
The scheme would introduce substantial additional pressure on the adjoining reserve. Increased footfall, trampling, dogs and cats could damage habitats and disturb wildlife, while construction brings risks of pollution and disturbance. Artificial lighting could also affect bats and other nocturnal species.
Our concern is the long-term survival of this ecosystem. Protecting the newts requires safeguarding the habitats and ecological connections that sustain them and the reserve’s wider biodiversity.
Why the proposed mitigation is insufficient
The proposed safeguards do not adequately address the scale and proximity of the development. Our concerns include:
Insufficient survey evidence to assess species, visitor pressure and shading.
Failure to recognise suitable newt habitat within the development site.
Inadequate protection against pollution during construction.
Weak long-term commitments, with responsibility placed on the council and volunteers.
Conservation organisations including the London Essex and Hertfordshire Amphibian and Reptile Trust, London Amphibian and Reptile Group, and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation have formally objected to the scheme. Their assessments question whether the proposed measures can adequately protect the newts and their habitat.
Safeguards must be based on sound ecological evidence, secured through enforceable commitments and supported by long-term funding and monitoring.
Arada London states:
“Green space and environmental improvements are central to Arada London’s plans. Over 2.5 acres of new landscaping, including play areas, ecological corridors and green roofs will deliver more than a 150% biodiversity net gain, enhancing connections to the nearby Glebelands Nature Reserve. Safer, better-lit walking and cycling routes and active street frontages are designed to encourage footfall, improve visibility, and reduce opportunities for antisocial behaviour.”
Other concerns
Housing and design
We question whether the scheme provides enough genuinely affordable and family housing, with adequate daylight, accessible outdoor space and children’s play areas.
Transport and access
The site has a Public Transport Accessibility Level of 2, indicating poor accessibility, with 260 residential parking spaces for 1,485 homes. In July 2026, the Mayor confirmed that TfL had not committed to specific route or frequency improvements; discussions had indicated the potential for two additional buses per hour.
The applicant’s health assessment estimated demand equivalent to 1.82 additional full-time GPs. We remain concerned about how this demand would be met. Read our assessment of the impact on local NHS facilities.
Arada London says:
“These residential buildings will be arranged around new streets and landscaped courtyards, replacing the site’s vast expanses of surface-level car parking with the aim of creating a safer, more welcoming neighbourhood.”
The before and after reality
Google Earth imagery © Google · Data: Landsat / Copernicus; Vexcel Imaging US, Inc.; SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO.
Google Earth imagery © Google · Data: Landsat / Copernicus; Vexcel Imaging US, Inc.; SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO.
We’ve created an interactive model of the proposed GNLP development on Google Earth. Explore it and see how these monstrous blocks would tower over your neighbourhood!
Open the link on a computer, or download the Google Earth app to view it on your phone.
We’ve carefully modelled the development using the planning application drawings, aiming to reproduce the building heights and positions as accurately as possible. We’re only human, so some discrepancies may occur.
Take action, join the fight!
Donate to our legal fund
Even the smallest donation can help us challenge Arada and the GLA.
CLICK HERE
Oppose the GNLP development
Sign the ONF petition about Great North Leisure Park.
CLICK HERE
Oppose destruction of Glebelands LNR
Sign the newt petition and protect all wildlife at Glebelands Local Nature Reserve from extinction.
CLICK HERE
GNLP Proposal images are © Arada London all rights reserved.
Newt and Slow Worm photographs are © Will Atkins, LEHART all rights reserved.