Campaigners believe demolishing a Georgian villa and replacing it with 21 flats with only two parking spaces will be “an accident waiting to happen” for children walking nearby.

Councillors approved the proposal to revamp “the oldest house”, in Station Road, East Finchley, by one vote at a planning committee meeting at Hendon Town Hall on Wednesday, July 26.

The villa, which is around 200 years old and stands nearby East Finchley Station, was used as offices for many years.

However, people are concerned that replacing the building with a “very modern looking glass and brick development” will look out of character with the area.

Ruth Brown is concerned that a lack of parking spaces will be “dangerous” and potentially result in delivery vehicles reversing into the road.

She said: “It’s ugly and detracts from the attractive Victorian terrace of shops next door.

“The 21 flats will have only two parking spaces, which are so tight that delivery vehicles will have to reverse out onto the High Road.

“This will be an accident waiting to happen for the children walking by.”

Councillor Melvin Cohen, chairman of the planning committee at Barnet Council, said: “This application was given planning approval when the committee met on 26 July. Each planning application is considered on its individual merits and the committee gives full consideration to any comments received, objecting to, or supporting an application, before a decision is taken.

“These comments are gathered during a period of consultation with residents and businesses, and those who have commented are given the opportunity to address the committee and present their views.

“Highway and pedestrian safety is always a key consideration in determining planning applications and in this case highway engineers considered the development to be acceptable.”