by LAURA BENJAMIN

Barnet residents will be getting an arts centre after all.

Approval for the £44million centre was granted at an 'extraordinary' meeting of the council on Thursday last week.

Despite a huge amount of public protest, the complex will be built complete with a controversial 14-storey apartment block.

Some community groups and North Finchley residents were unhappy with the outcome, citing a misleading public consultation over development, a lack of green space and an increase in traffic in the area.

'The council does not realise the extent of public consternation at the massive scheme,' said Bill Tyler, of the Finchley Society.

'The aspect of the scheme that causes great concern is the huge block of flats which will tower over surrounding developments and, on the admission of the council's own experts, will create an extremely hostile environment around the tower because of wind vortex aspects.'

The complex will incorporate shops, offices, 155 flats in a 14-storey block, new bus stops, basement car parking and a health and fitness centre.

The arts centre comprises a 400-seater theatre, a 120-seater studio, art gallery and dance and drama studios.

Barnet College, The Bull theatre and Community Focus will have their own facilities at the centre.

Maria Bartha of Community Focus said: 'This is fantastic. The facilities for Community Focus in the arts centre will be of tremendous benefit to disabled people.'

Alison Duthie of The Bull said: 'Barnet has waited too long for a top class arts centre.'

But Councillor John Marshall told last week's meeting: 'I am not against the regeneration of North Finchley but believe that this proposal is overdevelopment and unneighbourly and the consultation was misleading.

'Deception has consistently accompanied this development.'