Two of Barnet’s biggest regeneration projects were given a boost this week when George Osborne pledged to support the schemes in his budget announcement.

The Chancellor confirmed he will be working with the GLA and Barnet Council on the mammoth Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration, and also pledged cash for the rebuild of the Grahame Park Estate in Hendon.

The Brent Cross Cricklewood development – the biggest planning application in the history of north London – will involve the building of up to 10,000 homes and a fully redeveloped shopping centre at Brent Cross.

Barnet Council leader Councillor Richard Cornelius welcomed this week’s announcements, which he says came as the result of “a great deal of behind-the-scenes work”.

He said: “I can’t say how pleased I am. There has been a lot of lobbying going on behind the scenes and the MPs have been very supportive.

“This money will bring more homes – people won’t have to move away from the borough.

“The Grahame Park concourse is like a Byzantine fortress – it’s horrible. We’re getting rid of bad houses and building new ones, and that’s fantastic news.”