THE future of the £4.5bn redevelopment of the Brent Cross Cricklewood area should be made over two nights in November after councillors agreed to delay the decision again last night.

It now looks set Barnet Council will hold an “unprecedented” two nights of debate on November 18 and 19 about the controversial plans in a bid to allow everyone who wants to to speak on the subject.

Last night the planning committee rubber stamped the delay, but the final decision to hold the meeting, which requires suspension of certain council rules, lies with the full council which meets on November 3.

Members of the public who had posed questions for councillors at the postponed meetings in September and last night were told answers would be posted on the council's website.

They will also be allowed to ask supplementary questions at the beginning of the extended session.

Councillor Maureen Braun, the stand-in chairman, said the committee is “committed” and added the decision shows the “importance we attach to transparency about the debate”.

However, campaigners who oppose the current plans over key features including environmental, traffic and housing condition issues, have reiterated calls for a public inquiry.

Lia Colacicco, co-ordinator of the Coalition for sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood redevelopment, said: “The new BXC will affect the shape of North London for generations.

“The scheme should therefore be judged by people knowledgeable and experienced in large-scale urban planning.

“Barnet cannot be allowed to be prosecutor, judge and jury even if they now propose two evenings rather than two hours to come to a decision.”

She added the planning department of the council is “out of its depth” and said councillors were not equipped to make decisions on a scheme of this size.

Last week the Brent Cross Cricklewood Partnership welcomed the longer meeting, saying it is “right that people have the opportunity to express their views”.