Developers plan to replace a repair shop with a 24-storey tower block reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

An artist's impression of a tower block planned for Colindale — Sketch of Alcove at the Rockery

Plans to build a 24-storey block of flats in Colindale have been submitted to Barnet Council amid locals’ concerns over the height of the development.

A vehicle repair shop on Hyde Estate Road in Colindale is set to be demolished and replaced with the 176-home Alcove at the Rockery building.

An outline of the proposals from Parkside Investments Limited showed only 13 of the homes will be affordable rent, 43 will be intermediate rent, and the remaining 120 private.

Intermediate rent is usually set at 80% of what is charged on private rent accommodation.

There will be eight studios, 75 one bed flats, 77 two bed flats and 16 three beds and the proposal is largely car-free except for the provision of six wheelchair accessible spaces.

Public consultation feedback showed concerns were raised surrounding the proposed height of the building and the impact of overlooking on neighbouring homes, along with the impacts on local infrastructure with relation to doctors and transport.

Originally plans were for a 28-storey tower but this was reduced, however residents still shared concerns.

One said “what is the reason for a tall tower, all greed by the developers”, while another said the building “should only be four storeys” as this was not “central London”.

Another statement expressed concern about wind funnelling saying:”At 24 storeys the building is still too tall for the site and the general area. Looking at the relative position of the and nearby proposals, it seems likely that the building will cause wind funnelling effects making the new public spaces uncomfortable.”

In response to the affordable provision residents said “much more” social housing needed to be built and there was a lack of larger family homes.

The site is not within a conservation area and there are no listed buildings, the surrounding area is predominantly mixed-use.

The site is among several developments in the area including its ‘sister site’ the Rockery at the Hyde. The Rockery is a 470 home development also on Hyde Estate Road and will replace the nearby Halfords and Nation Tyre garage.

More information on the scheme can be found via Barnet Council’s planning portal, using reference number 24/1934/FUL.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.