Councillors have given the go-ahead to a 139-home development in Colindale despite the scheme only providing 10% affordable housing.
Developer The Hyde INV is set to deliver the nine-storey residential scheme on Edgware Road, replacing a Volvo car showroom.
According Barnet Council policy, new developments of ten or more homes should provide a minimum of 35% affordable housing whenever possible.
However, planning documents stated the scheme was “unable to viably provide an affordable housing contribution”. There are 14 affordable homes proposed, consisting of four social rent and ten intermediate rent.
There will be a residential mix of nine studio homes, 39 one-beds, 73 two-beds, 15 three-beds and three four-beds.
In a public consultation, in which 211 letters were sent out to neighbouring properties, 28 responses were received, with 13 objecting and 15 expressing support.
Overcrowding, over-development and poor design were reasons given for objection. The stretch of Edgware Road around the development was said to be “at capacity” with a “better developed” plan demanded instead which would have “alternative community uses”.
It was also claimed the plan had “insufficient provision of garden and amenity land” and would impact traffic.
There are a number of other car showrooms that neighbour the site, along with residential neighbourhoods to the east and the south.
Letters of support listed the new housing provision, replacement of a “noisy and dated car dealership”, the 505 jobs created during the construction period, and the £4.1million Community Infrastructure Levy (Cil) payment as reasons to support the project.
The application states £690,649 of developer contributions will go to the mayoral Cil fund and £3,418, 672 to Barnet’s local Cil.
The development will provide 38 car parking spaces, of which seven will be wheelchair compatible.
Local Democracy Reporter Grace Howarth covers the London boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), reporting on local government, housing, planning and community issues.
