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How Britain's oldest shopping mall will be transformed
02.09.09
The changes to Brent Cross involve a big increase in the size of the shopping centre, with an enlarged John Lewis store and a relocated Tesco at its heart.
But it is the 7,500 homes - a third of which will be affordable - 27,000 jobs and £500million of transport improvements, including a new railway station, that the developers hope will win them approval.
However, transport campaigners are alarmed at the likely increase in lorry and car journeys, and are ready to seek a judicial review if Barnet council grants permission.
The shopping centre is 33 years old but was Britain's first indoor mall.
The developers aim to consolidate its customer base in the face of the challenge of Westfield and Bluewater.
Under the plans - which are drafts and would merely set parameters - the centre would be "turned inside out" and expanded towards the North Circular Road with a "high street" containing a cinema and restaurants.
There would be a new railway station on the site, with First Capital Connect services to St Pancras. But shoppers would still have to catch a shuttle bus to the shopping centre.
Brent Cross Tube would be improved, a bus station would be built and the bridge across the North Circular Road, linking the two parts of Brent Cross, widened.
Three schools - primary, secondary and special needs - would be rebuilt.
A "combined heat and power" plant would be built near the relocated waste transfer station, generating energy from domestic rubbish.
Opponents fear plans for a giant chimney mean non-recyclable waste will be burned, but the developers say the process is more like "putting a chicken in the oven than on a bonfire".
Reader views (2)
Do anybody wants to live near an incinerator with Modern name waste disposal unit, he must be checked his mental state. Answer is definitely NO, No, No. Brent Cross is enough for shopping in this area we do not want another with fewer jobs, 29000 extra cars (Barnet own figures) coming to the area everyday. No transport additional provision- New houses- what about those who are living there now. What about 3 schools and other facilities moving from one place to another and claiming as new development. Most of all what is about poisonous omission from the 140 incinerator Chimney Higher than Wembley Stadium and London eye.
- Shafique, Cricklewood
How things change in a couple of months! Cabinet documents issued by Barnet on OCtober 21st show that out of all the lovely stuff promised the only elements guaranteed now are the doubling of the retail centre, including a huge new Tesco, and 795 new residential units- minus the 200 demolished. There is no attached condition to deliver the promised cinema, restaurants, homes, hotel, jobs or Thameslink station. THe scheme is right back to the out of town shopping centre which was rejected by the office of the deputy prime minister in 2002. Hopefully these proposals will be rejected and replaced with a flagsip sustainable public-transport-based regeneration in this neglected part of London.
- Oldbag, London
