Barnet Council has been blasted as “not being tough enough on developers” as Labour brings its affordable housing goals into question.

According to figures put forward by the Labour party, only 21.39 per cent of housing built in Barnet since 2011 has qualified as ‘affordable’.

Council’s policy aims for 40 per cent affordable housing to be built in the borough, a portion which has only been achieved on eight out of separate 61 developments, according to Labour.

The opposition party criticised the Conservative-controlled council for failing to build any affordable housing on some development, with their figures saying 19 developments had none at all.

Deputy Labour leader Cllr Ross Houston said: “These figures clearly show the Conservative-run Barnet Council is not being tough enough on developers.

"They are just not serious in securing the best deal for the thousands of Barnet families aspiring to own their own home, or the young people who are living with parents into their thirties.

“Every time we fail to secure affordable housing we are failing local families who desperately need our help.

“Many young people are having to move out of the borough and out of London to find a home they can afford to rent or buy – it is splitting up families.”

However, Labour’s figures were disputed by the Council who pointed to GLA stats showing 1,537 affordable homes have been delivered in Barnet out of a total 4,788 in the last four years.

While still not meeting the council’s 40 per cent target, this constitutes a higher 32 per cent portion of affordable housing.

According to the council certain factors on a case-by-case basis prevent the 40 per cent target being hit, with other benefits offered by developers including building a new library.

In other instances, planning applications rejected by Barnet Council have gained approval in an overturning by the Planning Inspectorate.

Tory councillor Tom Davey, Chairman of Housing Committee, said: “We have provided the seventh highest number of affordable homes built over the past four years among London boroughs.

“All affordable housing provision within housing developments is subject to a viability assessment, which is reviewed independently of the council or the developer.

“Our planning target is 40 per cent affordable housing across the borough, which will vary from scheme to scheme subject to these viability assessments.

“Over the next decade we’re aiming to build 27,000 new homes, the most in outer London, with a range of social rent, affordable and market rate homes.

“Barnet Homes have already delivered 43 affordable for rent homes and will be building a further 320 affordable new homes with a £65m loan from the council.”