Recently-approved plans for a 350-home station development in north London, designed by Hawkins Brown and Mae, are being blocked by transport secretary Grant Shapps because they will lead to the loss of car-parking spaces.

Enfield council approved the controversial plans for Cockfosters Station – the northernmost station on the Piccadilly Line – at a meeting last month. But on Friday it emerged that Shapps has used a little-known power that requires his consent to be granted for development by Transport for London.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said Enfield council’s decision to approve the proposals, which would have delivered new homes in blocks of up to 14 storeys, would have resulted in the loss of almost all of Cockfosters Station’s car park.

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