A plan to build a concrete works close to homes and a conservation area has been turned down.

Councillors rejected an application to build a concrete batching plant on a railway yard behind 400 Edgware Road, Cricklewood, at a meeting of the strategic planning committee on Tuesday.

The plans revealed the works would produce around 100,000 tonnes of concrete-based products every year.

Planning officers at Barnet Council said the concrete plant would not adversely impact noise or air quality or cause any substantial harm to the nearby Railway Terraces Conservation Area.

But councillors voted against their recommendation to approve the plant after hearing concerns it would bring heavy industry close to residential areas.

Speaking during the meeting, Paul Hoskins, who lives in Midland Terrace, said there was no precedent for “heavy industry” in the area, which he described as enjoying “rural peace and quiet”.

Jessica Howey, secretary of the Railway Terraces Residents Association, said the proposal would “introduce heavy manufacturing industry to Cricklewood and import, store and process toxic cement alongside our homes, opposite a school and in a community where thousands of new homes are proposed in both Brent and Barnet”.

Council planning officers said an “eco-barrier” and acoustic barrier would protect residents from the noise and visual impact of the concrete works.

Environmental health officer Ralph Haynes told the meeting the aggregate materials involved in concrete production gave off coarse dust, which does not enter the lungs and would be damped down on site. The cement would be stored in silos fitted with alarms to stop it escaping, he added.

But Ms Howey said a previous eco-barrier around the rail yard that was supposed to be failsafe collapsed in July and had not been repaired, and the application should not be considered until people are told how it will be rebuilt.

Cllr Anne Clarke (Labour, Childs Hill) said she was “disappointed” by the application because during years of discussions over the Brent Cross regeneration, residents had been assured concrete plants were not destined for the rail freight facilities.

“Heavy industry belongs on industrial estates, not in communities with a quickly increasing population,” she added.

Oliver Brown, development director for Brett Group, said the batching plant would be “equipped with the highest standards of environmental controls”.

He explained concrete must be produced close to where it is needed – and using the railway to bring materials to the plant would cut lorry journeys and emissions.

“All material planning considerations, including the potential impact upon neighbouring amenity and the environment, have been addressed to the satisfaction of statutory consultees, subject to conditions, which we welcome,” he added.

But committee members were unconvinced. Cllr Nagus Narenthira (Labour, Colindale) claimed small particulates would escape “however much you seal the containers” and would cause “a lot of bad effects”.

Cllr Tim Roberts (Labour, Underhill) said introducing “heavy industry” would be “against the nature of the area and the character of Cricklewood”.

At the end of the debate, only one committee member voted in favour of the recommendation to approve the plant, with ten voting against and one abstention. Councillors will vote on the grounds for refusal at a future meeting of the committee.