Council chiefs have given the green light to a 180-acre development as part of the£4billion Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme.

The Brent Cross South project will create homes, thousands of jobs and a high street with local shops and restaurants.

It will also see the birth of a new Thameslink train station in Cricklewood, more cycle routes, new parks, squares and community facilities.

Brent Cross South will be connected to Brent Cross shopping centre, which will be doubled in size as part of the regeneration scheme, via a new pedestrian bridge across the North Circular Road.

Work on the Brent Cross South project is expected to begin in early 2018.

Once completed the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme will deliver an improved town centre, 7,500 new homes, 27,000 jobs, three new schools, major road improvements, a completely reinvigorated Clitterhouse Playing Fields and new community facilities.

Critics of the scheme claim it will lead to an increase in traffic in surrounding areas such as Neasden and Dollis Hill and cyclists have claimed the new cycling routes will create a dangerous “spaghetti junction”.

Cllr Richard Cornelius, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “The redevelopment of Brent Cross is of huge significance for the future of the borough and we have always wanted to play an active role in shaping it. By joining forces with our development partners we are making sure we get the best deal for the taxpayer as well as creating a thriving London neighbourhood which will become a model for the 21st century and beyond.

“The fast rail link into Kings Cross will play a vital part in the development of the area, and Wednesday’s Budget announcement is confirmation that we have now secured the investment we need to support the transformation of the area.”

On Wednesday the government announced it would release a £97million grant to contribute towards the cost of the new Thameslink station.