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19 November, 2009 09:23 (GMT +00:00)

Brent Cross expansion approved, “mammoth application” to become reality

- 3 new schools planned
- 7.550 new homes
- New office district
- Redevelopment of Brent Cross Shopping Centre

News Desk

Barnet Council approved one of the largest regeneration projects in the capital Thursday night which will see the expansion of the Brent Cross shopping centre, the creation of 7,550 new homes, a new office district, three new schools and other improvements to the local infrastructure.

The scheme which has taken over 10 years of work and a cost of £33 million by the developer Hammerson Plc and Standard Life was given approval by Barnet Council officers and presented to councillors to approve the scheme which will see 15% guaranteed new housing with an aim to achieve 30% by the completion of the project. The project will cost a total of £4.8 billion and will take over twenty years to complete which will see two hundred homes demolished in the Whitefield estate, all replaced and built on the new site.

Hammerson has also made a commitment that of the new homes created 46% will be of a "3 bedroom character".

However criticism was levelled by councillor Andreas Tambourides who accused Hammerson of not offering "development forums" for local residents to air serious grievances like the residents of West Hendon who have consistently objected to the increase of traffic from the new expanded Brent Cross. Councillor Tambourides called for a "substantial engagement" by local people in these forums. Indeed out of the 29,000 letters sent by Barnet Council planning officers 500 letters were ever received.

Hammerson responded to the accusation of not properly consulting local people of plans by saying "participation with the public was absolute and we are comfortable we have fulfilled our duties in the consultation".

In terms of the likelihood that many businesses will have to relocate from their current premises Hammerson responded to the allegations that they have not given sufficient emphasis to the impact of the plans to local companies by saying:

"This process will not be easy but it will be in our interest to not see these companies extinguished and we are sensitive of the interests of business".

With around 27,000 new jobs likely to be created by the scheme with 8,000 new jobs at Brent Cross, 17,000 at the office district, 1750 at the hotels, 1,000 community jobs of these 42% of Brent Cross employees are currently living locally according to Barnet council.

Several objections were made as to why a light railway scheme was not factored into the application, Barnet council officers responded by saying that this may materialise over the course of the project but no money was committed to this, and the "London Plan" does not require this to take place.

The near unanimous decision to support Hammerson's scheme for Brent Cross underlines Barnet's desire to see Cricklewood and West Hendon regenerated, and the hope that this "mammoth plan" provides the correct stimulus for the local area and people to create new jobs and homes.

Wikio

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