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Protesters fail to stop Brent Cross mall
Felix Allen20 Nov 2009
Major redevelopment of Brent Cross shopping centre has been approved by planners despite vociferous opposition from local residents and businesses.
Barnet councillors granted permission for 7,500 homes around the shopping mall after a two-day meeting which ended last night.
They also voted to allow the shopping centre to be transformed to create a "new town centre" on a 1.4 million square-metre site.
Developers Hammerson and Standard Life offered to end free parking in a bid to counter fears that an extra 29,000 daily car journeys would cause jams in the already congested area.
Permission for the £4 billion scheme, which could take 30 years to complete, seemed to hang in the balance as campaigners including Brent East MP Sarah Teather and cash-and-carry tycoon Sir Anwar Pervez lined up to oppose it.
Councillors arriving at the meeting were met by more than 100 demonstrators outside Hendon town hall.
David Howard, chairman of the Federation of Residents' Associations of Barnet, told the meeting: "We think it's an arrogant, selfish, money-centred scheme." He condemned the planned housing as "hutches for hobbits".
Council leader Mike Freer admitted he had "many reservations" when he first looked at the plans but he said he backed it "because I believe it's important for the long term future of our borough".
The committee voted 8-1 in favour, with one abstention.
Reader views (5)
This development was not "forced" on the area by some out of town developer, it was approved by local councillors who I assume were elected by the residents including the chairman of the Federation of Residents' Associations of Barnet. If these people did not bother to vote they have no right to complain.
- Patrick, Dalston, 23/11/2009 09:09
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Hmmmm... Our local Barnet rag has been covering this for a while - the developers/TFL/Tory Council/whoever have been promising a "dedicated rail link" if the development goes ahead - ho ho ho! It really is the biggest load of pants - they will just add some measly overcrowded bus route to line up for hours with the other 29,000 new vehicles.
The traffic is already appalling at the M1 entrance, the North Circular can only get worse (though it is difficult to imagine). Anyone who has successfully attempted to get there on foot over the A41/North Circular junctions from Brent Cross tube station, I congratulate you.
- David, N10, 20/11/2009 15:18
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We need more homes for the uncontrolled masses & their families/children
- Grim Reaper, Hell, 20/11/2009 13:22
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This still has to go through the Mayor's office. Lets see if Boris will listen to locals as he promised he would. Also, he recently published a housing guide that will stop these "flats for hobbits", but will he when he can? Those that feel strong about the development should send him an email.
- Claire, London, London, 20/11/2009 10:34
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>>he backed it "because I believe it's important for the long term future of our borough".
More like another 7,500 people paying council tax.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 20/11/2009 08:58
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