REVISED plans to build a 374 bedroom hotel in Colindale have been given the go ahead, despite concerns from neighbours.

Barnet Council’s planning and environment committee voted in favour of modified plans to build an Aparthotel in Colindale Avenue.

In November 2009 Semali Investments was granted planning permission to build a hotel on the land at Station House and part of the former Colindale Hospital site.

But the company has since sought permission to increase the number of bedrooms from 293 to 374.

Spokesman for Semali, Kieran Rafferty said: “The original scheme was considered in different economic times and unless the building has the additional rooms the people investing in the scheme might drop out.”

The revised scheme proposes the hotel will be 46 metres high, 5.5 metres higher than originally planned.

Malcolm Linchis is a director of Swallow Fields management company which is responsible for five blocks of flats in neighbouring Eagle Drive.

Mr Linchis said the building’s height and the amount of light from windows would be detrimental to residents living in the flats.

Following the committee's decision to back the modified plans Mr Linchis said he was disappointed.

He added: “I wasn’t opposed to the original plans but I think the new height is too high for the residential area and I’m sceptical there will be sufficient business for the hotel.

“I have no objection to a hotel as such – we want to encourage business in the area but I am sceptical about whether it’s viable to build a hotel on such a big scale.”

Assistant director of planning and development management Martin Cowie said: “Despite the building being larger, slightly wider and higher it now has a more interesting design and because of the natural materials it is more sensible.

“In a few years time Colindale is going to be a very different place and we’ve got to remember that.

“We want to improve and renovate the area and this hotel is a step towards that.”