We cannot believe it. Earlier this year, a planning application to cover numerous gardens with homes and a roadway behind Hemington Avenue in Friern Barnet was comprehensively rejected by a Barnet Council planning committee.

It was a scheme to take advantage of defining these invaluable gardens as brownfield sites', and huge support to stop this development happening was generated.

The council and the planning committee stood firm against the plans, but it has become subject to appeal.

In the meantime, a new plan has been submitted, apparently following extensive consultation with council officers, changing the application from five large houses to four larger ones, but with the reasons for previously refusing permission remaining.

No more erosion of the suburban character should be permitted by including residential gardens being ridiculously described as brownfield sites.

Leonard Bull, Friern Barnet & Whetstone Residents' Association