Plans to build fourth story flats on existing apartments in Golders Green have been unanimously rejected.

Residents cheered and clapped as Barnet councillors voted against the proposals in Chandos Way and Britten Close, which had previously been recommended for approval by Barnet Council planning officers.

Andrew Hornig, resident and campaigner, described the rejection as a “triumph for humanity” and another resident said the result demonstrated the power of the “little man” in the face of powerful developers.

The proposals were thrown out on the basis that the new buildings would reduce light to existing homes, ruin the aesthetics of the architecture and that there was not a comprehensive parking plan.

The application had received over 200 objections from residents who felt that they had not been adequately consulted.

Cllr John Marshall spoke at the meeting and condemned the applicants for making promises that are not included in the planning application.

He said: “We have all been a round for quite a long time and I have never seen developers decide to do thing that were not in the original planning application. It never works like that.”