What might the Hendon Hub mean for disabled people?
Broadly speaking, we think this could be an amazing opportunity for Barnet to position itself as an innovator and role model in the field of disability inclusion; one which it would be a great shame to waste.
After consulting our members and other disabled people in Barnet, we recommend that processes are put in place to actively and continually engage disabled residents, workers and students as part of the planning process.
We hope that Barnet Council and GL Hearn will take this opportunity to reach out to us and other disabled people’s organisations in Barnet to build in co-design for new services. We believe that, by doing so, they can take accessibility beyond merely ‘meeting statutory requirements’ to create something truly inclusive.
You can download our full response here.
For those yet to read up on what the Hendon Hub development is all about, you can find the full virtual consultation here, or download our disability-focused layman’s summary of the GL Hearn/Council proposals here.
Here are some of the considerations we raised:
Accessibility of temporary premises and services; parking; signage; street furniture; crossings; doorways/walkways/lifts; seating; dropped kerbs; refuse bins; public toilets; sensory needs/acoustics/lighting; Safer Neighbourhood and Safe Places schemes; Compulsory Purchase Orders and mental wellbeing.
Key highlights:
• Barnet Council and their consultants GL Hearn are proposing the redevelopment of an area of Hendon, around The Burroughs and other nearby sites
• Hendon Library and the services at the Meritage Centre would be relocated to purpose-built premises nearby
• New student residential and other buildings would be constructed for rent to Middlesex University
• Some local residents would need to move, and there would also be implications for parking provision in the area
If you would like to join us in campaigning on local plans and other issues affecting disabled people in Barnet, why not become a member?