CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a park lodge and replace it with a block of eight flats – have been refused.

An application for a three-story block of eight flats, with underground parking, was submitted to replace the lodge in Victoria Park, Long Lane in Finchley.

Fabien Gaudin, the Planning Performance and Business Development Manager for Barnet Council, rejected the plans today (September 1).

It received 722 objections and 45 comments in support of the plans.

In a delegated report, it read that plans were refused as it refused to accord with a number of planning policies.

The reasons for refusal ranged from the size, scale and massing of the proposed building as well as saying it would be “out of keeping with the character and appearance of the area.”

The report read: ““Although the scheme would not result in the loss of park land following the prior cessation of the site for a use related to the park, it is considered that the proposed development would constitute significant overdevelopment of the site.

“The extent of the footprint, the size, scale and massing, its proximity to the site boundary and its poor external design and appearance would significantly detract from the character and appearance of the area. It would be out of keeping with its immediate surroundings including the park and would be incongruous and alien, particularly in relation to park views.”

The report added that plans for 12 car parking spaces, would lead to “local street overspill” as the majority of this parking at basement level is entirely reliant on a car lift.

What do you think of the outcome?

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