Plans to revitalise a town centre moved another step close to being realised after a document outlining the objectives received unanimous backing.

Barnet Council pledged its support for the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for North Finchley Town Centre and High Street, which lays out the framework for future developments in the area and will enable their progression.

Cllr Dan Thomas, chairman of Barnet Council’s Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee, said: “We are really pleased that the committee has given its full support and we are now keen to get started with this development.

“With this planned investment we have real aspirations to develop North Finchley into a destination that people are proud to live, work, shop and socialise in.”

The council noted that, while retail and business space remains important, planned investment in residential-led mixed-use developments will prove vital in helping to fund environmental and transport improvements.

This, it explained, will make North Finchley a “much more attractive place”.

A consultation on the draft Town Centre Framework was set up last year and the council said that, through more than 500 responses, it had gained a lot of useful community feedback.

This played a part in the creation of the final SPD, which will be published online in the coming weeks.