Barnet Council is facing a legal probe into a decision to allow flats to be built on green space in North Finchley.

A judge has granted permission for a judicial review of the decision to allow 130 homes to be built on land previously earmarked for public use near Finchley Memorial Hospital.

It comes shortly after another judge granted a judicial review of a planning document drawn up to support the redevelopment of Hendon, as residents continue to campaign against the controversial council-led Hendon Hub scheme.

Community Health Partnerships (CHP) – owned by the Department of Health and Social Care – won outline planning permission last June for the scheme at Finchley Memorial Hospital. Designed to provide homes for NHS workers, it will see four blocks ranging from four to five storeys built on green space south of Granville Road and east of Bow Lane.

Hundreds of local people objected to the plans, with many pointing out that the land was supposed to be retained as publicly accessible open space to make up for the loss of playing fields when the redevelopment of the hospital took place.

Finchley resident Jennie Arthur applied for a judicial review of the decision in January. Her claim argues that the council failed to consider national planning policy on open space or whether the application accords with local and national affordable housing policies.

It also argues that the council made a factual error regarding salary bands for NHS staff and failed to specify when the development should start on the planning permission.

According to campaign group Finchley Memorial Action Group, the judge, Mrs Justice Lang DBE, stated that Jennie “raised arguable grounds which merit consideration at a full hearing.”

Jennie said: “I completely understand people need homes, but Barnet has so many built-on sites that are no longer used – they should maximise these rather than green spaces. Green spaces are good for mental health, good for kids, good for nature and bring communities together.”

A crowdfunding campaign launched by Finchley Memorial Action Group has so far raised more than £13,000 of their £40,000 target to help cover legal fees. The group hailed the judge’s ruling as a “major milestone for local residents fighting to save green space from development”.

A Barnet Council spokesperson said: “The matter is currently the subject of legal proceedings. It would be inappropriate for the council to comment at this time.”

A spokesperson for CHP said: “The Homes for NHS Staff Finchley project is focused on delivering up to 130 homes for NHS staff through a landscape-led proposal for the Finchley Memorial Hospital site.

“We are aware of the decision to grant a judicial review of Barnet Council’s decision to give planning consent to the Homes for NHS Staff Finchley project.

“We will await the outcome of the process, and we hope to progress with delivering much-needed homes for NHS staff as soon as possible.”