Plans for several blocks of flats have been thrown out by councillors because the developers wanted to provide only half of the borough’s affordable housing target.

Planning officers gave the green light to the proposed developments on Bullsmore Lane, which would have provided a total of 83 new homes.

They said independent viability assessments showed the developers would not be able to meet the council’s target for 40 per cent of homes on new projects to be affordable.

But when the planning committee met last night (Tuesday, August 28), councillors were scathing about the developers’ plans.

The first project under scrutiny was a plan for 56 homes on the Kingswood Nurseries site – only one in five of which would be classed as affordable.

Labour member for Haselbury George Savva said: “This committee gave clear instructions to move forward to 40 per cent of affordable housing.

“Any developer taking on a project in Enfield should bear that in mind.

“To apply and hope they have a sympathetic officer, on their terms rather than ours – we should put a stop somewhere.”

Conservative member for Town Ward Mike Rye raised concerns over the density of the development.

He said: “I think what we should be doing is providing high-quality housing people will live in for a long period of time.”

Cllr Rye also branded Transport for London’s claim that the development would have no impact on the traffic in the area as “arrant nonsense”.

Cllr Gina Needs, Labour member for Turkey Street, questioned why there had been no air pollution monitoring in the area, pointing out that many residents of Bullsmoor Lane suffer from respiratory problems.

Councillors voted to defer the application to allow the developer to address their concerns.

Plans for 27 flats at 263 Bullsmore Lane were also discussed by the planning committee.

The developer wanted to provide just 18.5 per cent affordable homes, which was considered the appropriate level by an independent viability assessor.

Councillors objected to the low number of affordable homes, the potential impact on noise and air quality and the density of the development.

Cllr Rye said: “I found this application was one that caused me very significant concern.

“It is very much an overdevelopment for this particular plot.

“It is frankly shocking that we have got here, in relation to quality of space, that ‘the principal habitable rooms located on the proposed ground floor units are an uncomfortable proximity and modest distance from the boundary fence’, so in order to mitigate that, we are proposing that green walls are put in.

“That is not the sort of home we should be building for families or anybody to be living in.”

The committee was split over whether to defer or refuse the application, with chair Mahmut Aksanoglu using his casting vote to opt for a deferral.

Plans for a mixed use residential and commercial development on Bowes Road, which does meet the 40 per cent affordable housing target, were given the go-ahead.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of developer Notting Hill Home Ownership’s plans for 47 homes in two blocks of flats, along with shops and children’s play areas.