A proposal has been submitted to build 36 new apartments at Fairacres, representing an increase of eleven on the existing site, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans to revamp and expand an independent living facility in East Finchley have been submitted.

The proposal for the building at 164 East End Road involves demolishing and redeveloping part of the structure.

The plan is for 36 new one-bedroom and four two-bed apartments, which represents an increase of eleven compared to the old site.

The central and south wings of the building will be replaced with a building two-to-three storeys in height which will house the 36 new dwellings.

The front part of the old building will be retained and accommodate the four two-bed apartments, three of which will be redeveloped and one will remain the same.

The property, called Fairacres, is owned by the Jewish Blind and Physically Handicapped Society, which trades as Jewish Blind and Disabled (JBD).

The facility currently provides affordable independent living accommodation for adults aged 18 or over in the Jewish community who have a physical disability or impaired vision and helps them maintain their independence.

The planning statement said 80% of tenants across JBD’s developments were in receipt of housing benefit or Universal Credit.

Under the reasons for the proposal the applicant stated the building currently needed “significant modernisation works” to ensure it was “fit for purpose”.

Every apartment in the existing building is said to be “below the nationally described space standards” and fell short of the “fully accessible design requirements”. The “insufficient” heating system and insulation were also listed as reasons for the application.

The site sits in a predominantly residential area bordering Nazareth House, a residential care home for elderly tenants, and the regional offices for Larmenier Centre, a religious institution, to the west of the site.

JBD has consulted with Nazareth House on the proposals and has confirmed the care home has no objections.

The planning statement states a distance of 21 metres will be maintained between the habitable windows on the new build and the windows on all the neighbouring properties in Pulham Avenue with none overlooking one another.

The car parking area will remain at the front of the site.

Information on the scheme can be found via Barnet Council’s planning portal, using reference number 24/1113/FUL.

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