The Strategic Planning Committee of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 11 November 2025 to discuss a variation of planning permission for Autopia House, 231 Colney Hatch Lane, London, N11 3DG. The committee approved the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement or deed of variation and the conditions outlined in the report.

Autopia House, 231 Colney Hatch Lane, London, N11 3DG

The committee considered a Section 73 application to amend a planning permission granted in October 2021 for the redevelopment of Autopia House. The original permission allowed for 204 residential units and a food store. The current application sought to vary condition 1 (Approved Plans) to incorporate amendments necessary for compliance with current Building Regulations, specifically regarding fire safety. These amendments included the addition of smoke shafts, continuous internal corridors, and infill extensions to the fourth and fifth floors of Block B to re-accommodate lost floor space.

The proposed changes would result in an increase of two residential units, bringing the total to 206, and a minor reduction in affordable housing provision from 34.8% to 34.2% by habitable room. This reduction was primarily due to the loss of four shared ownership units, while the number of London Affordable Rent units remained unchanged.

Luke Rastrick, the agent for the application, explained that the revisions were driven by new fire regulations and that the new client, BTS Property Solutions, intended to build out the development swiftly. He highlighted that both the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were content with the proposed amendments. The proposed food store was expected to create approximately 40 local jobs and introduce competition to existing operators.

The planning officer presented the report, detailing the site's background, the proposed amendments, and the material considerations. The report noted that the principle of the development was established by the existing consent and that the proposed changes did not introduce new or increased adverse effects on the openness, character, or tranquillity of the adjacent Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). Concerns raised by the public included the development being out of character, its visual impact, effects on Coppetts Wood, increased traffic, and strain on local infrastructure. However, the report concluded that the transport impacts would be negligible and that the previously secured highway improvements remained appropriate.

The committee voted to approve the application by 8 votes to 0, with no abstentions. The decision was made subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement or deed of variation and the conditions outlined in the report. The application was also referred to the Mayor of London, as per the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008, although the GLA had indicated they had no strategic issues to raise.