The Mayor of London called for more affordable housing in plans to redevelop Barnet Council's former offices.

And the developer behind the scheme to convert Barnet House, in High Road, Whetstone, says it will raise the amount from 10 per cent to 35 per cent.

A report from the Greater London Authority to Barnet Council said only 10 per cent affordable housing in the "high density" development for 229 new homes is "wholly unacceptable" and did not comply with the London plan.

It calls for "significantly increased" affordable housing, more space for employment, particularly small businesses.

Plans were originally submitted in August 2017. The application has not yet been determined by Barnet Council.

The plans were revised after developer Meadow Residential proposed studio flats sized around 16sq m.

Labour's housing spokesman and deputy leader Cllr Ross Houston said: "Twenty three affordable homes in a development of over two hundred in a prime high street location within walking distance of a tube station is utterly unacceptable."

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has opposed the plans, and says opposition is growing.

She said: “I am opposing this planning application. It is too dense, with too many flats proposed and new buildings which are very bulky.

"It would be an overdevelopment. The Mayor’s statement shows that opposition is growing for a range of different reasons."

A statement from Meadow Residential said it had already made several amendments after feedback from Barnet Council, the GLA and the community.

It added: "The scheme, which seeks to redevelop Barnet House to provide new homes for rent, will now consist of 216 units, reduced from 229, with the first floor units replaced by additional office and community space.

"The application as amended includes 1,352sq m of community and commercial space, which can be used for provisions such as healthcare and affordable workspace.

"The amount of affordable housing provided on the new build element will be policy compliant 35 per cent and the development will be built entirely for the rental market.

"Meadow Residential continues to work with Barnet Council and the GLA to work towards the determination of the application."