Number of homes on the development reduced further after previous schemes refused, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

The scaled-down plans for the Homebase site in North Finchley (credit tp bennett)

Revised plans to build a housing development on the site of a North Finchley retail outlet have been submitted to Barnet Council.

Developer Taylor Wimpey wants to demolish the former Homebase store at 679 High Road and build 149 homes in blocks up to four storeys high.

The scheme has been significantly scaled down after two larger developments planned for the site – of 307 homes and 250 homes – were refused.

Billed as an “entirely new approach to the site”, the revised scheme would provide 37 three-storey town houses and several blocks up to four storeys high containing a total of 112 flats.

A new street with pedestrian priority would provide a link between the High Road, Christchurch Avenue and Woodberry Grove.

The plans state that the development would “replicate the existing street pattern”, containing back-to-back terraced housing similar to that found in the wider area, with the flats allowing for “gentle densification, appropriate on an edge-of-centre site”.

Scaling back the scheme has led to “substantial improvements in daylight, sunlight and overshadowing”, the plans claim.

The development would include 53 one-bedroom flats, 59 two-bedroom flats, 27 three-bedroom houses and ten four-bedroom houses.

There would also be 38 car parking spaces and nearly 2,300 square metres of private and communal amenity space.

Under council policies, new developments of ten or more homes should provide a minimum of 35% affordable units.

But according to an assessment submitted as part of the plans, the provision of affordable housing is not financially viable. The previous, 250-home scheme – which a planning inspector said “would cause serious harm to the character and appearance of the area” – included plans for 32 affordable homes.

Residents can view and comment on the latest proposals by visiting Barnet Council’s planning portal and entering reference number 23/4026/FUL

The planning portal is available here: https://publicaccess.barnet.gov.uk/online-applications/

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