On Friday, October 10, there will be another public consultation, an exhibition on the Brent Cross Cricklewood redevelopment at the shopping centre itself. In the notification carried by some north London papers we are told to have our say, ask questions, and learn more about the approved plans.

At the moment, Hammerson, the owners and developers together with Standard Life Investments, are concentrating on the north side, the shopping centre side of the A406.

The south side with its new homes is being dealt with by Barnet Borough Council, who are in the process of choosing new partners for the development of these future homes, some of which will be built upon the sites of houses and blocks due to be knocked down in the first phase, which may start in 2016. A loss of more than 200 homes.

Potential new partners for Barnet’s Brent Cross Cricklewood south side include the Chinese ‘biggest property group’ Dalian Wanda.

As far as I know, this company is about to begin the One Nine Elms luxury hotel and residential scheme in Vauxhall. Was this the developer who sold the not-yet-built homes there in the far east? Would they do so in North Cricklewood if chosen? How will people be able to buy new homes? How many will actually be affordable in its true sense? How will these new homes be sold? Do we locals get more than just informed after the fact by Barnet and Hammerson et al?

Both Barnet Council and Hammerson have not mentioned the decade of secrecy over these plans for the whole development, in which consultation with the community from the beginning could have made a better scheme. And why are Hammerson going AWOL after phase one, i.e. mainly the north side; the retail part, when they insisted Hammerson were around for the long-term?

I have not mentioned efficient public transport yet; a new station? We need an Overground station linking Mill Hill Broadway to Old Oak Common with Brent Cross in-between. At present, concrete plans are not planned.

Let’s reclaim the development for local people. More pedestrian and cycle ways.

Attend the venues and ask your questions. Future venues of exhibition are Crown Moran Hotel on October 14 and 15 and Hendon Leisure Centre, Marble Drive, on October 17 and 18.

Alasdair Bethley

Handley Grove, Cricklewood