The Mayor of London has given his seal of approval to the controversial £4 billion Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration project which was given the green light by Barnet Council.

Under the proposals by developers Hammerson and Standard Life Investments, Brent Cross shopping centre in Hendon will double in size and Cricklewood would undergo a large scale rejuvenation scheme.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: “This is a landmark moment as we look to transform Brent Cross Cricklewood into one of the premier places to live, work and visit in the capital.”

Once completed, the project will also include 7,500 new homes, 27,000 jobs, three new schools, major road improvements, a completely reinvigorated Clitterhouse Playing Fields, new community facilities and much more.

As part of the proposals, a new Thameslink station at Cricklewood will be installed, allowing resident to travel into central London within 12 minutes.

In March, Eric Pickles by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government put a halt to the regeneration scheme by issuing a holding order for more time to assess the plans and decide whether to call it in -a month after it was recommended by Barnet Council.

Cllr Lia Colacicco, who represents the Mapesbury ward and has lobbied against the project, told the Times: “The £250 million being spent on roads could have been spent on improving public transport into the area.”

She added: “They are also going to build on green triangles which is not desirable.”

Mike McGuinness, development director at Hammerson, said the plans will bring “significant” investment to the area and will bring about “crucial” road and transport improvements.

However former councillor Alison Hopkins, claims that changes in the road layouts would be disastrous, and would lead to a rise in traffic in neighbouring areas including Dollis Hill.

She continued: “Another worrying sign is that they have left the huge refuse dumping site and an incinerator in the plans.”

James Stevens, head of UK development, standard life investments said: “Securing planning consent is a significant step in delivering our vision for Brent Cross Cricklewood. This is great news for London.”