The Strategic Planning Committee of Barnet Council met on 14 October 2024 and granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Intec House, 49 Moxon Street, Barnet. The decision was made to approve the application subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and the imposition of conditions.

Intec House, 49 Moxon Street, Barnet EN5 5TS - 24/2966/FUL

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of the existing building at Intec House, 49 Moxon Street, Barnet, and its redevelopment to provide a part-3 to part-8 storey building. The proposal includes 113 residential units (Use Class C3) and 332sqm of employment space (Use Class E), along with associated access, parking, refuse storage, landscaping, and amenity spaces. This decision was made subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and conditions outlined in the report.

The application had a complex planning history, with previous applications for 92 units (approved) and 98 units (subject to a non-determination appeal) being considered. A key point of contention in previous discussions was the provision of affordable housing. The current application, resulting from discussions between officers and the applicant, proposes an on-site provision of 15% affordable housing, comprising 17 units, all of which will be socially rented.

During the meeting, concerns were raised by local residents, including Darren Taylor and Andy Shamash, regarding the increased height and massing of the development, its impact on neighbouring properties in South Close, loss of daylight and sunlight, and the ambiguity surrounding the affordable housing element. The Barnet Residents Association and the Barnet Society also submitted objections, citing issues with density, scale, and design, and questioning the viability assessments provided by the developer.

The applicant's agent, Jamie Sullivan, presented the scheme, highlighting that the current proposal delivers 100% socially rented homes, an increase of one social home compared to the previously approved scheme. They also emphasised that the building's overall height has not increased and that the design has been refined to balance community benefits with robust design.

The committee debated the planning balance, acknowledging the harms identified, such as the impact on the character of South Close and reductions in daylight and sunlight for some properties. However, they concluded that the benefits, particularly the provision of on-site affordable housing and the regeneration of a brownfield site, outweighed these harms. The decision to grant permission was carried by six votes to two.