London Fire Brigade (LFB) has raised concerns over plans for an electric bus garage underneath a major regeneration scheme amid an ongoing dispute over its safety.

The plans by joint developers Ballymore and Transport for London (TfL) include a range of high-rise tower blocks comprising 3,365 new homes in total.

Some buildings would sit on top of an underground garage built for a fleet of up to 190 electric buses.

In a letter to Barnet Council in October, the brigade wrote the potential grouping of so many electric buses posed risks “not fully understood by the industry at this point” and general expectations of guidance could be “inadequate” in protecting the structural elements of the garage and the blocks of flats above it in the case of a fire.

LFB said proposals for one firefighter lift should be “reviewed”, highlighting there should be “sufficient numbers” so if one went out of service there was “at least one” still available.

Amid these warnings, the ‘Save Our Edgware’ campaign group, which has opposed the 'mini Manhattan' plans for years, called for the application to be withdrawn. 

Tony Allan, chair of Edgware Community Association, said it was time the developer acknowledged the “significant concerns raised”.

He said: “Their proposal not only jeopardises public safety but also disregards the overwhelming opposition from the community. They should withdraw the current application to avoid further unnecessary strain on the council’s resources and public funds.”

An LFB spokesperson said: “The structural integrity of the residential blocks above the garage are intrinsically dependent on the structural integrity of the garage below. Any decision on this application must take into account the impact a fire involving electric vehicles might have on the stability of the buildings. 

“It is acknowledged that more research is required to better understand the specific nature of fires involving large electric vehicles and their impact on structures such as this. 

“While further detailed plans are expected to be submitted over time, we have highlighted safety issues in our response and we strongly recommend that a development of this scale should be supported by a comprehensive, site-wide fire strategy report.”

A council spokesperson said that following LFB’s response, the council’s “detailed assessment” of the issues would continue. They said: “Issues of fire safety are of paramount importance, and we take them very seriously. We remain in dialogue with LFB on this outline planning application.

“We are continuing to carry out a detailed assessment of the issues raised by LFB in their comments dated October 1 with both LFB and the applicant.

“Both LFB and the council will need to be satisfied that all issues concerning the fire safety strategy for the current application can be addressed.”

A Ballymore spokesperson reiterated that “ongoing dialogue” with LFB was taking place and “further information” on the bus garage and wider scheme “will be developed as part of the planning process in the coming years”. 

They highlighted the benefit of electric buses, including cleaner air, and said: “As set out in the planning application the detailed design of the bus garage will be progressed with electric buses in mind and planning conditions related to the occupation of the garage by electric buses were also proposed in the same documents. 

“As we have stated previously, the bus garage at Edgware will not be operational until 2030 at the earliest and we remain clear that no electric vehicles will be permitted until LFB, the council, the Health and Safety Executive and building control have approved the design.”