Redevelopment plans to transform a derelict multi-million pound mansion, that was ravaged by a massive blaze, into flats have been approved.
The abandoned house – known as The Towers in The Bishops Avenue – had its roof destroyed and damage to the first floor and part of a ground floor after a fire on July 23.
The Bishops Avenue is commonly dubbed as Billionaires' Row for the value of its homes, and plans were first submitted in 2021 to replace the grand three-storey house as it had been abandoned for years and attracted urban explorers to the area.
Barnet Council’s strategic planning committee approved plans on Tuesday (September 12) to demolish the site and replace it with a six-storey block containing 65 flats and underground parking.
Council planning officers told the committee the site had been in a poor state of repair for more than a decade – way before the fire took place.
They added that it also had a long history of antisocial behaviour and trespassing.
Along with the flats, there will be a “number of on-site facilities” at the 2.1-acres site to residents including a gym, swimming pool and steam room.
Another scheme at 51 The Bishops Avenue also won approval.
The site was formerly occupied by three large, detached homes that have been demolished in line with a previous planning permission.
Council policies state that all new developments of more than ten homes must contribute to a borough-wide target of 40 per cent affordable units. But financial viability assessments provided on behalf of the applicants, Smart Global Ltd and Birch Venture Ltd, deemed the sites would not be able to support affordable housing.
However, the council stands to gain a total of £2.5million from the developers that it can use to fund low-cost housing schemes in other parts of the borough.
Planning chiefs also agreed a late-stage review mechanism designed to establish whether further contributions towards affordable housing can be made if sales values increase.
Council officers told the committee the developments would provide jobs and council tax income as well as helping to reduce antisocial behaviour, and these and other benefits would outweigh the “less than substantial harm” they would cause to the conservation area.
The council received no objections to the first scheme during a public consultation.
There was one objection to the second during an initial consultation, but no objections were received during a subsequent round after changes were made to the proposed scheme.
After the committee received assurances on the late-stage review mechanism from the developers’ planning agent, members unanimously approved the schemes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here