NEIGHBOURS say a new housing estate will turn Edgware into a “concrete jungle”.

The Stonegrove Estate, which sits on the Barnet and Harrow border near Stanmore, is being regenerated by Barratt Homes and Barnet Council and hundreds of new homes will be built.

Although planning permission for a four-storey block was given two years ago, the developers have now asked if they can build an extra level.

But neighbours living on the Harrow side of the estate fear it will “set a precedent”.

Although no extra flats will be built, a number of planned one and two-bed flats will also be replaced with three and four-bed ones - which opponents say will put a great strain on infrastructure and parking.

Officers have recommended the proposals are approved at a planning meeting at Hendon Town Hall on Thursday evening (November 26).

Rhona Myers, who lives on the Harrow side of Stonegrove, said: “They are putting a whole extra storey onto a huge building opposite. It will be five instead of four, but we were promised there would be nothing higher than four.

“It sets a precedent – if they get it on one they will apply for others, I am sure.”

Speaking about the extra bedrooms, Ms Myers added: “It increases the density, more people but no more parking spaces. Already there is insufficient parking. People who buy three and four bed properties don’t only have one car. So there is a big overspill.

“But it is just the infrastructure generally, people are complaining they can’t register with GP surgeries, they are all full. There is no other provision for all the extra people.

“The area is more and more overcrowded. It is much worse than what it was before. If they had just refurbished what we had before – maybe it couldn’t have all been refurbished, maybe not completely. But now it is like a concrete jungle.”

The three Harrow councillors for Canons Park ward – Cllr Ameet Jogia, Cllr Amir Moshenson, and Cllr Bharat Thakker - have also written to the council to object.

They fear the extra storey overlooking Stonegrove “would make them over imposing on the structures on the Harrow side”.

A spokesman for Barratt London said: “These modest amendments will further improve the overall design, balance and appearance of the scheme to the benefit of the overall Masterplan and properties within the near vicinity of the site.

"There is an increase in the number of habitable rooms, however, this is as a direct result of a small increase in the number of family homes which is considered a high priority for the borough.”  

A Barnet Council spokesman said: “The reasons for the planning department’s recommendation are set out in the report going before the planning committee.

"It is for members of the planning committee to consider all the information before them and decide whether they wish to approve it or not.”