THE man driving the controversial Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration project claims “the hard work starts now” after the development was given the green light by the Government.

Following the announcement by the secretary of state for communities and local government, Eric Pickles, that he would not call in the scheme, Jonathan Joseph welcomed the chance to move forward with the regeneration of the area.

Mr Joseph, from the Brent Cross Cricklewood Development Partners, said there are still about three years of further planning procedures to go through before work begins on the site, but claimed the community would benefit in the long run.

He said: “We are absolutely delighted with the news and are looking forward to moving on.

“Now the hard work begins because we have an astonishing amount of work to do with detailed planning applications before contemplating working on site.

“We are buoyed as we feel we have received pretty significant endorsements from three key levels of Government.

“We have been doing this for a long time with great determination and we are not stopping. We owe it to the community to press on and make it a reality.”

Campaigners, led by the Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan, have fought the scheme at every level, and submitted a 5,000 name petition to the previous Secretary of State John Denham ahead of the General Election.

And although Mr Joseph recognises there has been a high level of objection, he believes it would be “unfortunate” if the anti-regeneration groups were to press ahead with their opposition and try to force a judicial review.

He said: “The decision from the Government is an important milestone towards delivering the lasting regeneration of the Brent Cross Cricklewood area.

“The fantastic benefits the regeneration will bring to local people in an area crying out for new investment and the careful planning that will ensure it is delivered in a safe and sustainable way.”

The Brent Cross Cricklewood Development Partners are now working with Barnet Council to finalise the Section 106 and wider community infrastructure package, with a start date for work pencilled in for 2014.