BARNET council’s plans to move its depot to New Southgate will be decided on next week.

The proposed site - the Abbots Depot on Oakleigh Road South - will include offices, a fuel station, a food waste and recyclables bulking facility, and parking for the council’s rubbish trucks.

A full planning application for the depot will be discussed by the council’s planning committee next Thursday (October 1).

The authority is due to move out of its current depot in Mill Hill by the end of next year, to make way for housing.

The decision to purchase the Abbots Depot site for £13.5m was pushed through last December on the mayor’s casting vote, after Brunswick Park councillor Lisa Rutter abstained, leaving the administration without its majority of one.

The plans have angered many people living nearby, who fear it will create noise and traffic problems in the area.

However, the council plans to buy the lease on the adjoining Winters Haulage site, which it says will ease traffic problems in the area by cutting the number of truck journeys.

Barnet council also says the depot will not process any black bag rubbish, or store any food waste or recyclable materials overnight.

There was further controversy in the summer, when it was discovered the site was bought in June 2014 by property company Cergold for £750,000 – information Labour said had been kept from councillors, who had been told it cost £8m a few years before.

The site may also be needed by Crossrail 2 in ten to 15 years’ time.

Conservative councillor Lisa Rutter said: “I welcome the publication of these papers. We’ve listened to the feedback residents gave during the pre-application consultation and where possible responded to local concerns.

"I am pleased this includes the purchase of the lease for the Winters Haulage site, which will result in significantly reducing the number of HGV movements along Oakleigh Road South.”

Objecting to the plans, Brunswick Park councillor Kathy Levine said: “The proposed development is in a residential area and will have a major impact on the quality of life, health and safety of local residents.

“It is only being considered now because the council needs to find a new base for its waste depot having sold the previous site. This is no reason to push through this proposal -the adverse impacts on residents demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

The Labour councillor said she disputed whether purchasing the lease for the Winters' site would reduce traffic, and said the council's data had been "incorrect".

Cllr Levine said: “The changes which are suggested as a result of the consultation are either minor or, in the case of vehicle impact, incorrect.”

Officers have recommended the plans are approved, subject to a list of conditions, or referred to the Mayor of London.

Conservative deputy leader of Barnet council Councillor Dan Thomas said: “We need a new base for our collection vehicles and bulking operations and this site came out as the best option based on operational, financial, planning and risk factors.

“As part of our commitment to recycling more, this depot will be a vital site in helping us make sure our materials are properly collected and transported for appropriate sorting and treatment.

“We have listened to residents’ concerns about the proposed depot and we have purchased the lease for the Winters site which will help to tackle congestion issues in the local area.”