A disused warehouse in Barnet will be demolished to make way for new homes after planning permission was granted last night.

Developers will knock down the former plumbers’ warehouse in St Wilfrid's Road before building a terrace of three houses with rooms in the roof and basement.

Five letters of objection were submitted to Barnet Council, raising concerns that the new homes would cause loss of light to nearby properties, construction works and drilling would affect foundations of buildings in the area and the proposed gardens would be too close to adjoining properties.

Some neighbours also complained that three-four floor storey homes are not in keeping with neighbouring properties which are generally two-storey.

But one letter of support claimed the warehouse, which has been left empty for four years, is “unsightly" and needs to be demolished. They added that the new homes would provide “useful” accommodation and be an “improvement to the local area”.

After one resident spoke out in favour of the plans at east area planning sub-committee last night, Barnet councillors approved the application.

Architect John Rowe-Parr, who spoke on behalf of the applicant, Liveripe Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to go ahead with this development.

"Previous applications were rejected - it’s been a long struggle, but it’s to the community's benefit that we can build new homes in the borough.”