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£5billion Brent Cross Cricklewood scheme stalls
Susanna Wilkey
OPPONENTS to the £5billion Brent Cross Cricklewood scheme celebrated this week when the government stalled the proposals.
John Denham, secretary of state for communities and local government, issued a stop notice on the scheme, giving him more time to decide whether to call for a public inquiry.
Members of the Coalition against the scheme are happy with his decision, particularly as the scheme was rubber stamped by London mayor Boris Johnson on Friday.
Co-ordinator Lia Colacicco said: "Hopefully, the Secretary of State's next move is to call a public inquiry immediately so these disastrous plans can undergo full public scrutiny. We were hoping that John Denham would stop this dinosaur of a development."
The scheme, which covers 150 hectares in Barnet bordering Golders Green and West Hampstead, was granted outline planning permission by Barnet Council in November.
It will create a new town centre around Brent Cross shopping centre 27,000 jobs, 7,500 new homes, three schools, a new mainline rail station, parks and green spaces and a leisure centre. It will invest £500million in transport and take 20 to 25 years to complete.
David Howard, chairman of the Federation of Residents Associations in Barnet, said: "The timing is interesting. The scheme may struggle. Westfield shopping centre is under-performing.
"The housing market has
collapsed and the Brent Cross model is dated. No wonder the developers only committed to Phase One. We await with interest what will happen next."
London Assembly member Brian Coleman is furious with the plans and says the Secretary of State must call in the decision.
He said: "The Brent Cross Cricklewood development, if it goes ahead, will be a disaster for my constituents in Barnet and in other neighbouring areas.
"It will overwhelm infrastructure and impose thousands of ugly and unwanted high-rise flats."
The developer understands the need for the government to take sufficient time to consider the application which is one of the largest and most complex in the UK.
Jonathan Joseph from the Brent Cross Cricklewood Development Partners said: "A huge amount of careful work has been undertaken to create a truly exemplary scheme that will achieve the lasting regeneration of the Brent Cross Cricklewood area.
"The BXC regeneration received scrutiny from all relevant statutory agencies including a special two-day planning and environment committee hearing and gained strong backing now from the Mayor of London and cross-party support from Barnet's planning committee."
Barnet's planning boss and Golders Green councillor, Melvin Cohen, said: "This is the largest planning scheme in London so it is understandable to ask for more time to consider the application.
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