Planning and feasibility of the Ballymore development at Edgware's Broadwalk Centre, focusing on the proposed underground bus garage and EV charging infrastructure.
Received: 27 July 2025
I am writing under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) to request access to information relating to the planning and feasibility of the Ballymore development at the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Edgware, with particular reference to the proposed underground bus garage and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.Specifically, I am requesting:1.Any feasibility studies, structural assessments, or fire engineering reports submitted to Barnet Council that assess the safety, practicality, or compliance of the proposed underground EV bus garage.2.All correspondence (emails, letters, internal memos) between Barnet Council, Ballymore, Transport for London (TfL), and the London Fire Brigade (LFB) regarding the feasibility, safety, or planning considerations for the underground garage.3.Any risk assessments, objections, or technical evaluations received during the planning process that relate to the use of an underground structure for electric buses.4.Any information that was withheld or redacted from public-facing planning documents, committee reports, or consultation materials under EIR exemptions ' particularly those relevant to fire safety or structural feasibility.This information falls within the scope of environmental information under Regulation 2(1)(c) and (f) of the EIR, as it concerns built infrastructure, public safety, and energy use.I understand that some material may be redacted under EIR Regulation 12 exemptions. However, I argue that the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in maintaining the exemption, because:* The London Fire Brigade has reportedly expressed serious concerns that the underground garage 'is not feasible as laid out' and may pose a structural collapse risk for EV buses.* These concerns do not appear to have been fully disclosed to the public or to councillors during the consultation or decision-making process, despite the development's significant implications for public safety.* Campaigners have raised concerns that key safety documents were withheld from scrutiny, and this request seeks to address that transparency gap.To my knowledge, no successful EIR request has yet obtained these specific documents from Barnet Council or challenged any redactions under EIR exemptions. While the media (e.g., Barnet Post) has referenced some disclosures, the primary technical feasibility documentation appears to remain unpublished.There is therefore an unmet public interest in ensuring the full risk and feasibility profile of the development is available for independent scrutiny.If any part of this request is refused, please provide:* A detailed explanation of the specific EIR exemptions used.* The public interest test you applied.* Whether redacted versions could be provided instead of full refusals.* Advice and assistance under Regulation 9 EIR to help me reformulate the request if needed.
Outcome / Documents
- 15081480 Ballymore Email 07.11.24_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 LBB-LFB Email Correspondence April 25 (1)_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 LBB-LFB Email Correspondence March 25_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 LFB Email 17.04.25_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 LFB Email 22.07.25 (2)_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 LFB Email 22.07.25_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 LFB Letter 01.10.24_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 LFB Letter 17.04.25_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 TfL Letter 29.10.24_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 TfL Spatial Planning Email 23.05.25_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 TfL Spatial Planning Email 23.07.25_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 TfL Spatial Planning Email 29.10.24_Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- 15081480 Ballymore Response to LFB Comments 07.11.24 _Redacted - application/pdf - Download
- Response (some exempt) - application/pdf - Download