AN INFLUENTIAL alliance of residents' associations have joined a coalition opposed to the current plans for redevelopment at Brent Cross Cricklewood.

David Howard, the chairman of the Federation of Residents' Associations Across Barnet(FORAB), says the group agreed to oppose the £4.5bn scheme because they felt Barnet Council “does not listen”.

FORAB has joined about 20 other groups from Brent and Camden in the Coalition for a sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood.

Mr Howard said: “Barnet does not listen to anybody. They want to carry on with Brent Cross regeneration despite a concerted opposition locally.

“We have so many developments coming to the borough this one needs to be sustainable, and we feel in its current form it isn't.

“The public transport provision and style of housing all need addressing. We think it should be taken back to the drawing board completely.”

FORAB represents 12 residents' groups mainly based in the east of Barnet.

The Brent Cross Cricklewood development partners want to develop the 151 hectare site near the shopping centre to create what they call a new town centre for Cricklewood.

The plans involve 7,500 new homes, rebuilding existing schools, a waste processing station and Mr Howard added: “A lot of people in Barnet don't realise this is happening because they don't view Cricklewood as part of the borough. But put together with other developments it will have a big impact across the borough.

“The coalition has been very organised and clear in what they want, a new scheme where the public have had the chance to have their say.”

To view more stories about the Brent Cross Cricklewood development visit the dedicated section on our website by clicking the link below.