A replacement facility as well as 36 new homes are planned for the site, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The seven-storey plans by MJP Planning (top) and (bottom) the existing Cricklewood Trades Hall (credit Google)

A run-down trades hall is set to be revamped with plans to build a new community facility and 36 flats.

The existing Cricklewood Trades Hall Club building at 134 Cricklewood Lane is “not fit for purpose” and the site “underutilised”, according to planning documents submitted to Barnet Council.

Proposals to demolish the trades hall and develop a seven-storey building in its place have been brought forward jointly by applicant Malcolm Terry and the club itself.

Although used by a private members club the current two-storey building is also available to the wider community to rent for events. Last year, the club hosted over 100 ‘non-member’ events but due to an “ongoing reduction in members”, “lack of investment” and struggle “attracting a younger audience” proposals to replace the hall were brought forward.

The building is described as having “little architectural merit” and hasn’t been “adequately maintained over the years”.

The ground floor of the new building will house a replacement hall which will be larger in size while the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors will house new flats.

The development will consist of 14 one-bedroom flats, 16 two-bedroom flats and six three-bedroom flats.

However, despite the London Plan stating that developments of ten or more dwellings should seek to provide a minimum of 35% affordable housing, no such homes are included in the proposal.

A planning statement states the proposed scheme “cannot technically support on-site affordable housing” but added “discussion will continue during application with the London Borough of Barnet”.

Feedback from a public consultation was overall “positive” but some concerns were raised. These included the impact of the development on parking pressures on local roads, the lack of affordable housing provision and the impact on neighbours arising from the placement of balconies.

More information on the scheme can be found via Barnet Council’s planning portal, using reference number 25/1474/FUL.

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