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Brent Cross plan is a disaster waiting to happen


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

Comments(2)

dellertron says...
8:31am Wed 10 Mar 10

Not to mention spending £1,000,000 on a school and then demolishing it

Grumblepop says...
6:36pm Wed 10 Mar 10

"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."

The original Jonathan Joseph sold to Barnet Council, about 8 years ago had included West Hendon Estate being replaced with new housing and other social benefits, i.e. a new community clinic. Now 8 years down the line, the nursery has been replaced by a row of 8 houses. The rest remains the same and the whole development has been re-negotiated. (All reports within the archives of the Hendon Times)


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