The developer has twice failed to increase the approved number of homes for the former British Gas site in Albert Road, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

The latest plans for the New Barnet gasworks site (credit Citystyle Fairview)

Revised plans for a housing development in suburban New Barnet have been submitted to the council after previous proposals were turned down.

Developer Citystyle Fairview – a partnership between Fairview New Homes and One Housing – now wants to build 420 homes on the former British Gas works in Albert Road under its latest plans for a scheme known as the Victoria Quarter.

Previous plans for 652 and 539 homes were rejected by Barnet Council, and its decisions were upheld by planning inspectors following appeals by the developer. The original plans, approved in 2017, were for just 371 homes, and the decision to increase the size of the scheme caused significant local controversy.

According to the latest proposals, Citystyle has held discussions with the council on how to address its reasons for refusing the previous scheme and this has led to the “best possible development on site”.

The revised scheme would see eleven blocks ranging between five and eight storeys high built on the site. It would provide 121 flats classed as affordable – 66 for London Affordable Rent and 55 for shared ownership.

Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units would make up 76% of the scheme. Some 22% would contain three bedrooms – a slight increase on the 19% proposed under the previous plans. Four-bedroom units would make up 2%, compared to 3% under the previous scheme.

Further changes include upping the proportion of dual aspect units from 70% to 80.5%, reducing the density from 179 to 150 units per hectare, and increasing the amount of proposed play space from 1,857 square metres to 2,659sqm.

Although the plans acknowledge that the presence of an eight-storey block contravenes the council’s tall buildings policy, they add that it is “considered appropriate” in conjunction with “the engaging public realm, the high quality elevations, and the separation distances between the blocks”.

The development forms part of a wider masterplan for the area that would provide 486 homes and 539.5sqm of commercial space.

Residents can view and comment on the plans by visiting the council’s planning portal and entering reference 23/3964/FUL.

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