Politicians express mixed views on Peel Centre plans (From Times Series)

Politicians express mixed views on Metropolitan Police's Peel Centre plans in Colindale

9:53am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

The Metropolitan Police displayed the plans at a public exhibition last week

Plans for 2,000 new homes on a Metropolitan Police training centre will be “too much for the area to cope with”, according to GLA member Andrew Dismore.

The Barnet representative believes plans for the site, in Aerodrome Road, Colindale will cripple the area’s utility and transport networks.

Hendon MP Matthew Offord, however, welcomed the plans, arguing the development forms a vital part of the regeneration Colindale.

Metropolitan Police planners displayed the designs at a public exhibition last week as it looks to sell off a large part of the site it has trained officers at since the 1930s.

Labour’s Andrew Dismore said: “In the context of everything it is too much. The regeneration plans have to be revisited – the size is phenomenal.

“I just don’t think the area can keep up with it. We have a single lane road outside the development which is already overloaded and it’s going to get even busier.

“The tube station is full to heaving as it is so you would have to have a major rebuild of that too. They’re talking about a new primary school but it is on the wrong side of the development in my opinion.

“I fear for the health service provision, the drainage, the sewers – can they really cope with all of these extra homes bearing in mind that Aerodrome Road floods anyway?

“They should have a pause for a re-think. I have already tabled a whole bunch of questions over it for the Mayor’s office for policing and crime next week.”

Plans for the site include a new primary school, a small shopping parade and the opening up of a large grass space the size of six Wembley football pitches.

Hendon MP Matthew Offord said: “I like the idea of opening up the park – it will maintain some of the green space Barnet is known for. There will of course be issues with things like utilities and drainage but I expect them to be addressed.

“There are some people that will criticise, like Andrew Dismore, but he seems to criticise every major development scheme.

“This is a vital part of the regeneration and Colindale is due for an upgrade. I don’t feel transport will be an issue, it is not out of the question that people travel from West Hendon Broadway, but my concern is what kind of employment opportunities will be provided.

“We want high-end employment and I believe that, with the distance to London, we can attract people here.”