A Brent councillor has criticised approval for the controversial Cricklewood rail super-hub next door to the borough.

Barnet Council have given the go-ahead for the Cricklewood rail “super-hub” despite campaigners urging the council not to proceed because of the effect on other areas.

The site lies on the boundary between Brent, Camden and Barnet.

The vote narrowly passed at the planning meeting, with all Conservative councillors, who have a majority on the committee, backing the plans.

Under proposals, the site on Edgware Road will become a freight transfer site for aggregate and other transport materials.

Campaigners believe noise, pollution and traffic will increase as a result.

Brent councillor for Mapesbury, Lia Colacicco, Camden councillor for Fortune Green, Lorna Jane Russell and London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore addressed the meeting, urging the council to rethink their plans.

Hours before the meeting on Thursday February 8, cllr Colacicco urged the committee to delay the meeting so they could have more time to look at the proposals.

Speaking to the Brent&Kilburn Times Cllr Colacicco said she was angry at the outcome.

“People have put so much time and energy and emotion into fighting for the health and general quality of life of their community,” she said.

“The quality of submissions and general depth of understanding and knowledge has been the real revelation, yet the public have been treated as stupid. They know a consultation from a PR exercise.

“After nine years fighting for this, I was angry but not surprised, but it was heartbreaking to see the disappointment of residents who had hoped the strong evidence presented would sway even the most entrenched.”

Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius defended the scheme, saying they would work to minimise the effect on residents: “As part of this application, we have made great efforts to minimise impact on the local community. This includes a commitment to limit the number of HGV movements, allow only the cleanest modern HGVs on site, ensuring they avoid local roads and to installing practical measures to address air quality.

“Throughout this process, we have also ensured meaningful consultation and engagement with residents in Cricklewood and other key stakeholders.”

According to the council, the scheme forms part of a project to create up to 27,000 jobs, and 7,400 homes in north west London.