The Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme will create a sustainable new town centre for Barnet and North London and will bring over 7,500 news homes, substantial commercial and retail space and improved transport links over 151 hectares.
Today, the Secretary of State for Department of Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid has approved two compulsory purchase orders that move the scheme to the next stage of the development process.
Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, said: “The Secretary of State's decision is a significant milestone in the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme which is a huge growth opportunity for Barnet and also for London.
“The scheme will be transformational creating a new town centre, deliver up to 27,000 jobs, 7,500 new homes, new transport and infrastructure investment and will spearhead economic growth in the area.
“We continue to work with all our partners, local business and the community to realise the potential of the scheme and deliver for Barnet.
“A compulsory purchase order is always a last resort and we acknowledge some residents are affected as their properties may fall within the boundary of the development. We will continue to work to reach agreement with them, local business and all our partners to realise the potential of the area and deliver for Barnet.”
The SoS decision follows an extensive public inquiry in 2016 where representations were submitted from local business and community representatives.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration area is made up of three distinct zones, two of which fall under today’s decision by the Secretary of State
- Brent Cross London (subject to CPO1) - a modernised and extended shopping centre and improvements to critical road infrastructure as well as cycling and pedestrian access. Delivered by Hammerson and Standard Life Investments.
- Brent Cross South (subject to CPO2) - the creation of a new high street south of the North Circular, including 6,700 new homes, commercial development and new and improved community facilities and public spaces. Delivered by Argent Related as joint venture partner with Barnet Council.
- Brent Cross Thameslink (subject to a separate CPO3 which is awaiting SoS decision following a public inquiry in September 2017) - a new, additional Brent Cross West Thameslink station and associated infrastructure works to provide pedestrian, cycling and vehicle links across the railway, and replace outdated waste and freight facilities. Delivered by Barnet Council in partnership with Network Rail.
The whole regeneration scheme will bring the following benefits:
- development of Brent Cross Shopping Centre with new and enlarged bus station
- around 7,500 new homes over the next 20 years, including affordable homes and replacement homes for the Whitefield Estate
- 3.4 million square feet of workspace
- major upgrades to the local transport network, including building an additional Thameslink railway station and transport interchange linking to King’s Cross St Pancras in less than 15 minutes
- more than £400 million invested in transport infrastructure to provide new roads and increased capacity at key junctions;
- new bridges over the A406 North Circular and Midland Mainline to improve walking and cycling routes (the Living Bridge) connecting Brent Cross and Cricklewood communities
- creating a new town centre to the south of the North Circular with shops, cafes, restaurants and office space
- three new replacement schools (Claremont Primary School, Whitefield Secondary School and Mapledown Special Needs School)
- replacement Leisure Centre, new health centres, childcare facilities, neighbourhood police units and new community facilities
- 21 acres of new open space walkways and improvement of existing open spaces
- new employment opportunities for local people