A second block of flats -- next to a seven-storey block which has already received planning permission -- could add to the transformation which is taking place in Moxon Street, High Barnet, where industrial workshops and warehouses are being replaced with residential and other new development.
The two blocks of flats are being proposed on a site at the foot of Moxon Street – backing on to King George’s Field – which would be created by the demolition of both Intec House and the adjoining premises of the kitchen and joinery suppliers, Howdens.
These two new residential blocks, which together would provide a total of 133 flats, are part of a wider make-over in Moxon Street.
Already nearing completion nearby is The Windmill School, a new specialist school for 90 pupils with autism, which is next door to the recently opened Hadley Wood Hospital, a private hospital within the Royal Free Hospital Trust.
Closer to the High Street, at the junction of Moxon Street and Tapster Street, Barnet Homes are proposing to demolish workshops to build a car-free mews of two terraces to provide 21 new homes.
Barnet Council gave planning approval earlier this year for the demolition of Intec House and its replacement with a block of three to seven storeys in height which would contain 92 flats.
A group of residents, who objected to the scheme because of its size, height and impact on nearby houses, are examining the possibility of challenging the planning committee’s decision and perhaps seeking a judicial review.
Plans for Fortune House, the second new block which would have 41 flats – see site plan above – and which would be built on the Howdens site, have now been released and were on display for public inspection and consultation. For more information and feedback see www.FortuneHouse-consultation.co.uk
Sarah Lionetti (above), of Claridge Architects, who led the team for the two housing schemes, said the second block of flats had been designed to be compatible with both the new Intec House project and with adjoining terraces of houses in Snowberry Close.
“This new block rises from four storeys to six storeys at the rear, where the land slopes away, but most of the height is further back, so we have tried to mitigate the bulk and scale to minimise the impact on residents in Snowberry Close.
“We have designed high-quality homes that will look out on King George’s Field, and we are delivering a joined-up approach to the Intec House block and the Fortune House scheme.”
Both schemes will offer a proportion of affordable housing. A target of 35 per cent affordable has already been agreed for Intec House. Fortune House will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom flats.
There will be commercial space in both blocks, which the developers say should be attractive to start-up businesses – 728 square feet in Intec House and 284 square feet in Fortune House.
Integral car parks will provide 34 parking spaces in Intec House and 15 in Fortune House.
Owners of flats in both schemes will be ineligible for places in nearby controlled parking zones.
Construction of the Intec House block could begin by July 2024 and a start date for Fortune House will depend on planning but if approval is granted work could start late 2024 or early 2025.
Building work to convert a former warehouse to become The Windmill School should be completed early next year ready for opening in March 2024.
It is the first publicly funded specialist school for autism in Barnet and is being developed for the Barnet Special Education Trust by senior leaders from the Oak Lodge School in East Finchley.
It will provide places for 90 pupils aged from 5 to 18. Mrs Ginny D’Odorico has been appointed head teacher.
Hadley Wood Hospital, which is closer to the site of the two proposed blocks of flats, offers treatment for private patients of the Royal Free Hospital Trust.
