Opponents 'not surprised' by Mayor's backing of Brent Cross scheme

1:58pm Monday 15th March 2010

By Alex Hayes

OPPONENTS of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme which was given the backing of the Mayor of London last week have said they are “not surprised” by the decision.

The £4.5bn scheme has now been passed by both Barnet planning chiefs and Mayor of London Boris Johnson, but needs approval from Communities Secretary John Denham before work can begin.

Talking about the scheme Mr Johnson said: “This is another great example of pushing ahead with major development and infrastructure improvements to create jobs, and boost the capital’s economic growth, while transforming the quality of life of thousands of Londoners. “The scheme will bring a new vitality to a part of the capital in need of regeneration.

“Having carefully considered the proposal I am satisfied that the application fulfils the need to have the kinds of transport links that will bring fluidity and rejuvenation to Brent Cross while avoiding potential problems caused by any extra traffic.”

However, Lia Colacicco, the coordinator of the Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan, said: “We are not surprised that Boris Johnson has approved the Brent Cross application.

“The complacency of his statement is breathtaking given the huge opposition to the scheme by residents in Barnet and neighbouring boroughs, the objections of Camden and Brent Councils and the potential catastrophic impact of the scheme.

“In doing so he has broken his own manifesto commitments on carbon reduction, affordable homes, protecting small shops and environmentally friendly housing. He has betrayed tens of thousands of north- west London residents.”

The coalition is still calling for a public inquiry into the plans, which they say is too densely developed and will bring thousands more cars to the area.

They also fear at power station will actually be an incinerator, although the developers the Brent Cross Cricklwood Partners deny this claim.

Ms Colacicco added: “Boris isn't the people's Mayor, he's the shopping mall, car-supporting, incinerator and tower block Mayor.

“We now await the decision of John Denham on whether he will call-in the application enabling a full, democratic and transparent consideration of the issues that will affect thousands of Londoners over the next 25 years.

“The negative impact will last for up to a 100 years and affect the whole of north-west London.”