A housing scheme that doubled in size has been recommended for approval, despite giving rise to more than 1,000 objections.

Officials at Barnet Council say plans for the 652-home Victoria Quarter development in New Barnet are “acceptable having regard to the relevant local, regional and national policies”.

They have recommended councillors give the go-ahead to the scheme at a meeting of the planning committee on Wednesday, September 2.

If approved, it will allow developers Fairview New Homes and One Housing to build 14 blocks ranging from one to ten storeys high at the site of the former gasworks in Albert Road.

The proposals more than double the number of homes planned for the site in 2015 – although a subsequent application for 371 homes was approved in 2017.

A Barnet Council report reveals a total of 1,054 objections to the latest plans were received during a consultation and 25 letters of support.

Opponents raised concerns the scheme would be an overdevelopment of a suburban area, with an unacceptable density, height and massing.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers and East Barnet councillor Felix Byers claimed the enlarged scheme contravened several of the council’s own policies and called for a decision to be delayed to enable further consultation with residents.

In the report, planning chiefs admit the density of the development would be over the maximum range set out in the London Plan density matrix.

But they add this “needs to be balanced against design and the quality of (the) residential environment created”.

Their report adds: “No significant impacts are identified to neighbours and future occupiers and to the environment”.

It continues: “All relevant policies contained within the development plan, as well as other relevant guidance and material considerations, have been carefully considered and taken into account by the local planning authority.

“It is concluded that the proposed development generally and taken overall accords with the relevant development plan policies.”

If they are approved by councillors, the plans will be referred to the Mayor of London as an application of potential strategic importance to London.

The planning committee will meet to discuss the application online at 7pm on Wednesday.