Flats planned close to a busy tube station are “too high” and could lead to more traffic congestion, neighbours warned.

Two-thirds of people who attended a recent community event opposed the plans to build 200 homes in blocks of flats up to 17 storeys high at Southgate Office Village.

Most people wanted the development to be scaled back to between six and eight storeys and to be in keeping with Southgate’s “distinctive village feel”.

The planned development in Chase Road lies within a conservation area that includes the grade II-listed Southgate underground station.

More than 130 people attended the community planning event at St Andrew’s Church, Southgate, on June 22 and 23, while 240 filled out an online survey.

Just 10 per cent of people who responded to the survey backed the current scheme – although the majority were in favour of some form of development on the site.

Their main concerns were the flats would be too high, worsen existing traffic and car parking problems and have an adverse impact on local services such as schools and doctors’ surgeries.

Developer Viewpoint Estates said it had held a well-attended public consultation event in February and had changed the plans in response to the feedback.

But Southgate District Civic Trust, which organised the June event, claimed community engagement had not been “as meaningful as it could have been”.

Almost 44 per cent of people who responded to the survey were not aware of the development before the community weekend was organised.

Only a quarter said they received one of the 5,000 leaflets about the plans that was circulated to the community.

Ian Harvey, from national charity Civic Voice, said: “The findings will demonstrate to Enfield Council and the developer that the local community, in general, support the need for redevelopment on the Southgate Office Village site.

“But they are opposed to the current proposal, due to its height, impact on character, and most importantly due to not believing that the consultation with the community has been genuine.”

A spokesperson for developer Viewpoint Estates said: “The proposals for the redevelopment of Southgate Office Village will deliver much needed housing, including affordable homes, state-of-the art office accommodation to re-provide and create new jobs, and new public space in the heart of Southgate – all on a brownfield site earmarked by Enfield Council for a mixed-use development.

“We held a well-attended public consultation event in February, which was publicised across Southgate.

“We have also engaged with local councillors and other stakeholders including council officers, the Greater London Authority, Historic England, Transport for London, the police and the independent Enfield Design Panel, amongst others.

“Residents and stakeholders provided us with valuable feedback, and we made changes to our proposals ahead of submitting a planning application.

“We remain willing to discuss our proposals for the regeneration of Southgate Office Village with the local community through to determination of the planning application and beyond.”