People are “up in arms” over plans to knock down a historic public house to build blocks of flats.

The Midland Hotel, in Station Road, Hendon, dates back to Victorian times, when it was a popular watering hole for commuters using the Midland Railway.

But plans have been submitted to the council to demolish the pub and build 59 flats in three blocks between five and eight storeys high.

None of the proposed flats will be classed as affordable.

Judy Shepherd, who runs the Montagu Road Residents’ Association, said: “We are all up in arms. It does really good food there. It is the only pub round here we can go to.

“Also, it is a historic building. On the plans, it looks like Alcatraz.”

Ms Shepherd said the area was already “a nightmare for parking” and claimed more flats would lead to “huge congestion”.

She added that many people were planning to object – but complained about the number of residents who had been notified of the plans.

Ms Shepherd said: “A lot of us did not get the letter. It is only because there is a good network round here that I heard about it.”

Andrew Dismore, Labour’s London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, has objected to the plans.

He said: “The wilful and wholesale destruction of valued community assets is a disgrace. This comes hard on the heels of the loss of The Chequers pub in Church End, Hendon, of which I also opposed the planning application.

“In recent years there has been the loss of 20 pubs within a 1.5-mile radius of Hendon Town Hall. To replace it with 59 flats, none of which are affordable is beyond a joke, it is an insult.

“But I am sure the Barnet Tories will wave it through, as they always do. They have no commitment to supplying affordable homes whatsoever.”

The plans will be considered at a meeting of the council’s planning committee.

A council spokesman said: “This application is currently under consideration. Residents are still able to submit any comments they may have in support or objection to the scheme as part of the planning consultation.

"This consultation continues until the end of September and the feedback received will be considered before any decision is taken.”