Plans for new parks and sports pitches in the £4.5bn Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme have been approved.

Barnet council’s planning committee approved the proposals for Clitterhouse Playing Fields and Claremont Park at a meeting in Hendon Town Hall on Thursday, June 25.

New sports pitches, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and play areas will be built on Clitterhouse Playing Fields, along with community gardens and a new pavilion.

The Claremont Way open space will be turned into Claremont Park, which will include children’s play facilities and picnic areas.

The authority received objections, including from Sport England, about the loss of open space in the Clitterhouse plans.

In a report, council officers said the site was currently under-used and the proposals would provide a “significant improvement” to the quality of its sports facilities.

Residents and community groups also expressed criticism about plans for Clitterhouse Farm Buildings, which will be partly used for storage and office accommodation.

In a statement, The Clitterhouse Farm Project group, which is currently developing proposals for the site, said: ''We are disappointed with the approval of elements of the planning application that related to Clitterhouse Farm. Nevertheless we look forward to working in partnership with Barnet’s parks team to develop a mutually beneficial design that caters for both our needs.

“We are committed to transforming the farm into a thriving community hub, with a sustainable design that celebrates the building’s rich heritage and is a source of pride to local residents.”

A Barnet council spokesman said: “The proposals are for some of the buildings to be used as a maintenance area for parks staff and for the remaining buildings to be able to be used for community purposes.

“We look forward to receiving proposals from the Clitterhouse Farm Project group on their plans to use the farm buildings. Any alterations to the buildings and their change of use to a community facility would require a separate planning application.”

Barnet council leader Councillor Richard Cornelius said: “Barnet has a large number of excellent green spaces and we know how much they are valued by our residents. I’m delighted that these plans for new sports facilities and open spaces will contribute to that.

“I am eager for the development to start so that these facilities can be enjoyed by people for many years to come.”

Ben Littman, development manager at developers Hammerson, said: "These upgrades will offer something special for communities across the area, turning two underused spaces into parks that will be delivered at the very start of the regeneration.

“These are the first benefits to come forward and over the coming months we hope to also gain consent for our huge investment in roads, junctions and bridges, and the creation of Central Brent Riverside Park.”