A GROUP of campaigners say the fact Barnet Council plans to defer a planning meeting on the future of Brent Cross Cricklewood project shows they cannot handle the decision alone.

The coalition of about 20 residents' and campaign groups has welcomed an announcement the planning committee will be asked to delay the decision on the application tomorrow.

Earlier today Barnet Council admitted more time was needed to take into account detailed representations sent to them since the 800 page planning document was published last Tuesday.

Viv Stein, a spokesman for the Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan, said Barnet are “right to fully consider” the late representations from residents.

She added: “The fact that the planning meeting been has deferred at the last minute, and delayed countless times previously, shows that Barnet are wrong to think they are able to give the degree of scrutiny at ordinary planning committee that this £5bn regional development deserves.

“Inconsistencies in the committee report and myths banded about by the developers, mean that Barnet alone can't decide on this scheme.  It should be called in to a public inquiry as soon as possible.”

The group objects to the current plans saying they are not environmentally friendly, too car focussed and will see overdevelopment on the large patch of land between the Edgware Road and A41, south of the current shopping centre.

Around £1bn will be pumped into community and transport developments under the plans, which are expected to take 20 years to fully complete.