I hope readers read carefully the recent advertisement in the Barnet press about the Brent Cross redevelopment and the latest so-called ‘consultation’.

I know that Hammerson’s director Mike McGuinness has also emailed a chosen few about his centre court exhibition. That email list didn’t include me, despite the fact I’ve attended all the past consultations, was the ward councillor for Dollis Hill, and am now coordinator of the Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Redevelopment.

The advertisement only mentions parks, local roads, a footbridge and ‘new homes’. All good news indeed. But Mike, you missed out the really important stuff, didn’t you?

You failed to mention Barnet’s own estimate of 29,000 extra cars per day, and that £60million is being squandered on spaghetti junctions on our major roads. For instance, no longer will you be able to drive south on the A5 Edgware Road and turn west at the North Circular Road. Why is that, Mike? Could it be because the rat runs that will be created as a result are not in Barnet?

His road congestion will spread out across the whole of north London. We are heading for more than two degrees celsius of global warming, yet he wastes millions on roads, instead of phase one of a tram system.

Hammerson also didn’t mention the huge waste incinerator and masive rubbish dump, already approved by Barnet, very near our Dollis Hill homes and our local schools.

He didn’t mention the 205 homes he’s demolishing, including those of hard-working conservative freehold owners. Most are in good condition (both the homes and the owners) just like so many settled communities across the country. But new tiny flats in huge tower blocks make a lot of money for Hammerson. I wonder how many will end up in the ownership of overseas investors charging exorbitant rents.

Hammerson didn’t mention the two green triangles being destroyed on Brent Terrace, where my friend’s children play – that precious breathing space, so essential for London children, will be destroyed.

He didn’t mention his five-storey blocks on Cricklewood Lane’s green open space, approved in the same Barnet planning application as John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Fenwicks, a mile away.

I hope readers will attend the Brent Cross exhibition. But ask some real questions. Ignore the slanted public relations you will be fed by the display boards and by Mike McGuinness – if he decides to show up – or by his PR company.

Mr McGuinness gave evidence to a House of Commons Select Committee in 2011, saying: “There’s a danger redevelopment could be side-tracked by agitators, and that NIMBYS will undermine the process. Therefore, it is key to have strong local leadership in the local authority.”

Here’s a ref: http://tinyurl.com/hammersons – judge every part of that quote for yourself. Then decide in whose best interests this fatally-flawed regeneration is being bulldozed – literally – through.

Cllr Alison Hopkins

Coordinator Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood