A plan to build more than 1,000 homes on the site of a business park will go ahead after it was approved by the housing minister.
Comer Homes has won permission to build housing blocks up to nine storeys high on North London Business Park in Brunswick Park.
The development will provide 1,350 homes – ten per cent of which will be classed as affordable.
Barnet Council’s planning committee refused permission for a version of the giant scheme in June 2017 after receiving 250 objections from residents.
Councillors objected to its density and height, which was deemed out of character with the surrounding area – a predominantly suburban neighbourhood of two-storey family homes.
But an appeal by the developer was upheld by a planning inspector, whose decision was backed by housing secretary Robert Jenrick – meaning an amended scheme can now go ahead.
A decision letter published on Wednesday (January 22) read: “The Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector that the proposal is designed in such a way as to respect the existing character of the area while maximising the potential of the site, and that the appearance, scale, mass, height and pattern would not adversely affect the character and appearance of the area.”
Comer Homes has won permission for two phases.
The first phase is for 360 residential units in five blocks of up to eight storeys, alongside a secondary school, gym and sports facilities.
Outline planning permission has also been granted for a further 990 residential units in buildings ranging from two to nine storeys.
Barnet Council will have to pay costs to the developer for “unreasonable behaviour” that led to “unnecessary or wasted expense in the appeal process”.
The planning inspector said the council failed to provide evidence to support the reasons for refusal and made “only vague and generalised assertions, unsupported by objective analysis, about the proposal’s impact”.
A spokesman for Comer Homes said the company’s investment would benefit businesses and provide training programmes for the local workforce.
They added: “St Andrew the Apostle Greek Orthodox school is an outstanding resource for local education, as their excellent results attest to. Comer Group will continue to do all we can to support the vibrant and dedicated team of professional educators which the Russell Education Trust has in place at St Andrew.
“Comer Group are also excited about the prospect of boosting housing quality with design-led accommodation, set within an elegantly landscaped development, to address the aspirational requirements of young families.
“The site includes affordable housing provision designed to the same high standards as the market housing. The residential facilities and parks will also provide an ideal location in which to nurture and thrive in safety – very much aligned to the demands of modern family life.
“We look forward to working with the council to allow for construction to commence on site as soon as is practicable, thereby avoiding any further delays for the school and other stakeholders.”
A Barnet Council spokesman said: “The council is aware of the decision and we are awaiting details of the costs.”
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