by Will Davies Councillors have unanimously voted against a contentious �4 billion regeneration scheme fearing it will cause serious damage to the borough. Camden Council committee members objected to the Brent Cross Cricklewood developme

by Will Davies

Councillors have unanimously voted against a contentious �4 billion regeneration scheme fearing it will cause serious damage to the borough.

Camden Council committee members objected to the Brent Cross Cricklewood development - which will create 27,000 new jobs and 7,500 homes - because it relied too heavily on private car use.

They claimed it would choke Camden's streets, pose a danger to residents and schoolchildren and worsen air pollution.

They also said a planned 15 per cent affordable housing level was too low.

Cllr Flick Rea said: "It will seriously affect the junctions in the area - anyone who uses the Mill Lane junction with Shoot Up Hill will know it is one of the most dangerous in the borough already. Any extra traffic will seriously affect it even more."

Cllr Jonathan Simpson said: "Shoot Up Hill will struggle considerably if these proposals go forward. We want to make sure our roads are safe for our children, particularly those in Hampstead School."

With a decision on the scheme expected from Barnet Council in the next two months, Jonathan Joseph, development director for the Brent Cross Cricklewood Development Partners, said: "The transport plans have been carefully checked over by Barnet Council and TfL.

"We have a target of affordable housing of 30 per cent and a guarantee of 15 per cent because this is the only regeneration scheme in the UK which doesn't have the benefit of government grants for the infrastructure.

"We are funding �500million of transport improvements without a penny of government grants."

w.davies@archant.co.uk