Brent Cross plan is a disaster waiting to happen (From Times Series)

Brent Cross plan is a disaster waiting to happen

10:02am Friday 5th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(2)

Despite attempts by the developer and his PR agency to justify the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme and to denigrate the concerns of those who live in this area, opponents remain totally convinced this whole development is a disaster waiting to happen.

Like many, I am urging the secretary of State for Communities and Local Government John Denham to call in this proposal for urgent review.

The main developer Hammerson plc was reported in a national newspaper story last week as follows: ‘The chief executive of the property giant Hammerson yesterday ruled out any new projects in the UK until the fragile economic recovery gathers pace, adding that Britain was in effect, still in recession. In contrast, the group said it was pursuing projects in France where the upturn is stronger’.

This reinforces concerns there is no real commitment to the overall scheme and any development is likely to falter after the initial Phase 1 development.

This would ensure any development would be restricted to only the retail commercial and waste transfer facility and any thoughts on social or other housing would be abandoned.

Secondly, on the subject of the ill-conceived waste transfer and power station scheme, while the technology to be adopted has not been chosen (in itself a major concern), one potential solution installed in the USA has recently been the subject of worldwide concern and condemnation following a major explosion.

The explosion highlights the stupidity of placing such an installation near major roads, housing and schools.

David Hopkins, Humber Road, Barnet