Neighbours concerned over 400-home development (From Times Series)

Neighbours concerned over 400-home Annington development in Whetstone

2:00pm Sunday 16th September 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

Annington wants to demolish existing buildings in Sweets Way to make way for its own development

Neighbours have raised concerns over plans to build 400 new homes on a site the size of seven football pitches in Whetstone.

Annington, which owns 150 former Ministry of Defence houses in Sweets Way, wants to demolish the existing buildings to make way for its own development.

A public consultation into the proposals was attended by hundreds of people at St John’s Hall, in Friern Barnet Lane, on Wednesday and Thursday.

Josie Bostock, of Oakleigh Road North, will have her property overlooked by one of the new block of flats in the existing designs.

She said: “I’m concerned about the height of the buildings – the drawings are all disproportionate.

“In two letters sent out to us it said some of the buildings listed here as three and a half stories would be six stories – we’re a bit confused.

“I’m worried about parking difficulties, noise and the amount of green space. My privacy is going to be seriously eroded by the plans.

“It is good to have development in the area but it needs to be sensitive to the people that live there and be a benefit to the community.”

Confusion over the proposed height of the buildings was not helped by a mistake on the exhibition poster boards, though the architectures confirmed there would only be two blocks of flats more than five stories tall.

Andrew Newby, chairman of the Barnet Green Party, lives in nearby Birley Road and cast his environmental eye over the plans on Thursday.

He said: “They’re saying there will be a 25 per cent reduction in carbon emissions but from what? The current buildings are not up to modern standards in terms of energy efficiency - it is important to ensure that this one is.”

Patrick Smith, of Middleton Park, is concerned about possible congestion caused by the additional homes but was pleased the consultation was being held.

The 77-year-old retired graphic designer said: “I’m worried that a lot of traffic will be generated. They seem to be keeping the buildings to the size of others in the area.

“I’m happy it is being developed as we certainly need more homes but the buildings appear to be a bit too concentrated.

“It’s good that they are consulting people about the plans but as for the impact, we’ll just have to wait and see.”