Developer Moxon One wins approval for the third version of its plans with more than 100 homes now proposed, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Intec House and (inset) plans for its redevelopment (credit Claridge Architects)

A long-running dispute over plans to build scores of homes in place of an office block has concluded with Barnet Council’s planning committee granting approval to a modified scheme.

The proposal to redevelop Intec House, a three-storey former office at 49 Moxon Street in High Barnet, was previously approved in January and would have provided 35% affordable housing.

However, an amended plan was proposed in April which increased the number of homes offered from 92 to 98 but removed all of the affordable housing. At the time, the decision on the amended scheme was deferred and developer Moxon One Ltd launched an appeal on the grounds of “non-determination”.

But at a strategic planning committee last night (Monday 14th), another new scheme was proposed which offered 113 houses, of which 15%, equating to 17, would be social-rent homes. To make room for the additional homes, the proposed employment space has more than halved.

Committee chair Nigel Young said the benefits of the scheme were greater than the “harms that will be caused”, highlighting the addition of affordable housing. However, he added it was important to consider approval of this scheme “exceptional” given its height.

During a tense 90-minute debate on the scheme, local resident Darren Taylor, of neighbouring South Close, said he objected to the plan on grounds the height was “nothing but absurd” and would overlook his property.

Previous versions of the scheme, which sits on a slope, listed the height as up to seven storeys, but this has now increased to eight.

Darren, a long-standing objector, argued the building wasn’t policy compliant and resembled density “akin to Zone 2 London” and was out of character with the “leafy suburb of High Barnet”.

He also described the new affordable housing offer of 15% “a bit of a joke” but agreed it was better than the previous application, which proposed none whatsoever.

The council’s affordable housing policy states 35% affordable housing should be provided on developments with more than ten homes.

Committee member Richard Barnes questioned officers on the building’s suitability for the location, given its height.

Officer Josh McLean said Cllr Barnes was “correct” to say the building was unsuitable but there were “circumstances that may allow it to be appropriate”.

The council had looked at areas of the scheme that “could accommodate additional massing” and though ‘infills’ the building was “no taller overall”.

Cllr Young said the difference in the visibility of the original “consented scheme” and the latest proposal, from various places in the area, was “marginal” with the exception of one angle on South Clase which he said would “clearly” have an impact.

He added that the 113 houses would go “some way” to hitting the borough’s housing targets.

Andy Shamash, another local resident and objector, said: “Is it not likely or even obvious, given Moxon One’s previous application, that if consent for the scheme is obtained developers will again plead poverty and look to submit a further scheme backed by yet another viability assessment, reducing affordable provision again and maximising their profits at the expense of Barnet residents?”

Committee member Claire Farrier questioned if he thought another scheme could be put forward when this was the “latest alternative that was affordable from their point of view”.

Andy argued the solution wasn’t to “increase massing and harm to the local environment” and the developer should have obtained more local input.

Josh clarified the 17 affordable homes were “secured”.

Before the vote carried the plans through, the council’s legal officer informed the committee Moxon One would remove its appeal if the scheme was approved. Six committee members subsequently voted in favour, with two voting against.

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