A derelict multi-million pound mansion ravaged by a massive blaze was the subject of plans to demolish it to make way for flats.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a blaze at The Towers in The Bishops Avenue on Friday (July 23) that destroyed the roof and damaged the first floor and part of the ground floor.
The abandoned house - in a street dubbed Billionaires' Row for the value of its homes - had been owned by music hall actress Gracie Fields and at one point was purchased by the Saudi royal family for £25 million.
Abandoned for years, it had become a favourite among urban explorers who documented its interior on social media.
Plans had been submitted to Barnet Council in 2021 to demolish the grand three-storey house and replace it with a six-storey building of 65 flats with underground parking.
Wolff Architects submitted a landscape design proposal in August 2022 for the 2.1-acres site, adding that it is “vital” to retain as many existing trees as possible at the site.
The developers hope to create 64 “high-end” residential two and three-bedroom apartments within a new building replacing The Towers.
Along with the flats, it is proposed there will be a “number of on-site facilities” to residents including a gym, swimming pool and steam room.
A basement car park with 86 car spaces accessible with a discrete vehicle lift and 134 cycle parking spaces would also be built.
At the ground, there will also be 11 car parking spaces as well as three short -stay cycle spaces.
Wolff Architects has been approached for comment regarding the fire and plans moving forward.
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