Revised proposals for the controversial Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration project have been submitted to Barnet Council.
The £4billion scheme, which campaigners have been battling against, will see the shopping centre in Hendon double in size and a large scale regeneration of the Cricklewood area.
Hammerson and Standard Life Investments, the scheme’s developers, made three improvements to the plans; a better Brent Cross Shopping Centre, a new pedestrian bridge and faster delivery of some of the major transport improvements.
According to the developers more than 1,700 people attended a series of public exhibitions showcasing the plans in July with an average of 87 per cent of respondents supporting each of the three proposed changes.
James Stevens, head of UK development at Standard Life Investments, said: “The positive public response just underlines what people have been telling us since the start of the summer.
“They want a local transport network that works for pedestrians, cyclists, cars and public transport users, alongside better shops and restaurants, new homes and jobs, modern schools and community facilities plus great parks and open spaces, which is what the wider Brent Cross Cricklewood masterplan will deliver.”
Once completed the scheme will also include 7,500 new homes, 27,000 jobs, three new schools, a new train station, major road improvements, a completely reinvigorated Clitterhouse Playing Fields, new community facilities and much more.
Members of the Brent Cross Coalition protest group believe the proposals will result in thousands of extra cars travelling through the area.
They also say the doubling of the shopping centre and a proposed installation of an incinerator on the border of Brent will have a detrimental effect on the community.
Mike McGuinness, development director at Hammerson, said: “Brent Cross has been an important part of the community for over 35 years and our plans ensure it will continue to be part of a thriving new town centre, putting this part of London truly on the map as a popular neighbourhood and destination.”
Cllr Richard Cornelius, leader of Barnet Council, said the planning committee will scrutinise the changes closely.
The council will launch a public consultation on the regeneration proposals which will include exhibition events.
If approved, the scheme will start in late 2015.
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