PLANS to build hundreds of new homes on a prominent site in Colindale have been radically overhauled after a community group pulled out of the project.

The Zenith House site in Edgware Road, opposite McDonalds, will now have 309 new flats and houses built on it with a 16-storey tower as the centrepiece.

Applicants Genesis Housing Group have committed to providing nearly 50 per cent of the site as social housing, and will have to stump up £1.4m as part of a section 106 agreement for community improvements.

Among these is £50,000 for improvements to a rebuilt Grahame Park library, signalling an intention to keep a facility in the area following a public consultation on the future of services.

However, councillors were warned at Wednesday night's meeting they needed to act quickly to ensure millions of pounds of government cash promised for the project was not lost.

The reconfigured design includes a central square for use by all tenants and new “mansion house” style blocks of flats, similar to those found further down the Edgware Road.

Eight residents objected to the plans, saying the new mews houses were too close to gardens and would block light, but this was rejected by councillors on the committee.

Originally a Hindu group was due to take over the community space in the development, but was forced to pull out because of financial difficulties.

Now it is being looked at as a new home for the Barnet Centre for Independent Living, but will also feature shopping and restaurant space.

Around £500,000 of the section 106 cash will be used to improve transport in the area, with new signals at the junction of Colindale Avenue and Edgware Road and money to improve bus routes.