Campaigners have expressed their fury over the decision to build a rail freight facility near a residential area.

Barnet Council's planning committee approved the building of a new rail freight facility, which has been dubbed an "aggregate superhub" was approved with six votes in favour and five votes against on Thursday.

The rail freight facility, to be built on existing railway land in Cricklewood, is part of the £4.5billion Brent Cross/Cricklewood regeneration project.

But many residents opposed the application at a public meeting held the previous week, saying it would cause pollution, especially close to a built up area with many schools and community projects.

Anne Clarke, chair of the Cricklewood Groves Residents Association and Labour Candidate for Childs Hill ward, said: "Cricklewood is my very favourite place. I live here, work here and my children go to school here. Our community is united against this disastrous plan.

"I am furious and heartbroken. Barnet Conservatives clearly don’t care for or value our community, it’s time for change.

"To begin a major regeneration scheme with an aggregate superhub which has no local support undermines any remaining confidence the Cricklewood community has in Barnet Council."

She added that she felt there was little consultation on the rail freight with those living nearby, which has been disputed by Barnet Council.

According to London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore, the approved scheme will see an average of 38 heavy goods vehicles per hour enter and leave the site.

The terminal is designed to accept goods and cargo, which lobbying group Campaign for Better Transport believes is the only way the project as a whole can go ahead, as otherwise HGVs will have to carry materials needed throughout the regeneration, causing more pollution and disruption.

Philippa Edmunds, freight on rail manager at Campaign for Better Transport, said: "This planning consent sets a crucial precedent which demonstrates that local authorities should support local rail freight terminals based on the wider national and sub-regional socio-economic benefits of rail freight as long as there are adequate mitigation measures to handle local impacts."

A temporary application for the rail freight by DB Cargo was deferred in September last year, and a joint application between the company and Barnet Council was put forward and accepted.

Cllr Richard Cornelius, leader of Barnet Council, said: "The decision by the Planning Committee to approve the replacement rail freight facility marks a major milestone in the regeneration of Brent Cross Cricklewood – an exciting scheme that will create up to 27,000 jobs, 7,400 homes and an extended shopping centre for people in Barnet and Brent.

"This is the first part of the jigsaw which will deliver the new Brent Cross West Thameslink station, due to open in 2022 and will serve 2.5 million passengers in the first year.”

"As part of this application, we have made great efforts to ensure the facility will be a good neighbour, minimising impact on the local community. This includes a commitment to limit the number of HGV movements, allow only the cleanest modern HGVs on site, ensuring they avoid local roads and to installing practical measures to address air quality.

"We’re pleased the committee recognised this last night. Throughout this process, we have also ensured meaningful consultation and engagement with residents in Cricklewood and other key stakeholders."