Barnet Green Party has launched its manifesto – with ambitious pledges on libraries, social housing, regeneration and outsourcing.

The party said it will look to provide at least 65 per cent affordable homes in any new council developments, with 50 per cent at council rents.

All regeneration would be resident-led, with funding for expert support to help people plan schemes.

The council’s controversial outsourcing contract with Capita could be scrapped if doing so proved to be cheaper than “continuing to suffer from their shoddy work”.

On waste and recycling, the party plans to push for more resources to track and prosecute fly tippers, increase the number of bins and recycling points, and boost recycling rates.

The party has pledged to campaign for the new Ultra Low Emission Zone for all vehicles to be London-wide and introduced before 2020.

Tall buildings could fail to get planning permission if they are not in keeping with the area, and because they can create a ‘canyon effect’ that worsens the effects of pollution, the party said.

On transport, the Greens will campaign for 20mph speed limits on red routes, which are controlled by Transport for London, and all streets except motorways.

The development of a local transport infrastructure for Barnet would ensure all parts of Barnet are connected by bus, tram or underground links.

Walking and cycling would be prioritised, with free undercover bike sheds at all stations and on the streets.

The manifesto contains community and wellbeing pledges, including support for community centres and the reversal of cuts to youth services.

Libraries would benefit from longer staffed hours, while children’s libraries that have been scrapped would be brought back.

And the party said it would monitor air quality around schools and make Barnet a pesticide-free borough.

The party’s manifesto was launched on Sunday (April 15) at The Green Room, Noel Lynch’s Old Curiosity Shop and the Green Party resource centre in the Grand Arcade, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley.