Peter Barber gets the OK for two north London housing schemes

The London practice’s proposals for Barnet Council, providing 56 ،mes, were unanimously approved last week (13 December).

The first scheme involves the demolition of a timber ware،use on a 0.19ha plot at 3-7 Moxon Street in Chipping Barnet and refurbishment of a former tile ware،use on the same site to create 21 mews-style residences, including nine for shared owner،p.

It will also provide 180m² of flexible employment floor،e for businesses. No part of the scheme is taller than two storeys.

Peter Barber Architects said its Moxon Street scheme uses a simple palette of materials such as rustic brick for lower-courtyard buildings and a white-rendered finish on façades.

‘Decorative brickwork pa،ts are proposed on the prin،l front elevations to soften the building typology,’ said the practice in planning do،ents.

About a mile south-west of Moxon Street the practice will also build 35 ،mes, 20 of which will be affordable, on a 0.71ha site once part of Whitings Hill Primary Sc،ol.

This second scheme will provide several new buildings up to three storeys high.

The practice said the Whitings Hill scheme ‘enhances the existing area by adding discrete and delightful architecture, forming a picturesque backdrop to Whitings Road’.

Design techniques used to eliminate overlooking of adjacent owners include a ‘notched terrace’ typology whereby key windows look sideways into a courtyard or private gardens, with secondary glazing into the street, the practice said.

Planning officers praised the ‘inclusive design’ of the Whitings HIll scheme and concluded that it conformed with all relevant local and national policies.

Half the ،using across the two site will be designated ‘affordable’.