Developers Hammerson and Standard Life Investments have made three major changes to their earlier proposals, which include a new pedestrian bridge over the North Circular Road, better Brent Cross Shopping Centre and faster implementation of some of the major transport improvements for the area. Their earlier proposals included 7,500 homes, along with 111,000 m2 of retail space, 457,000 m2 of business space, a new hotel, a private hospital, and a range of community space, which was approved by the London Borough of Barnet in 2010.
The newly devised 151-hectare masterplan stretches beyond the boundaries of the current shopping centre. It encloses the North Circular Road southwards toward Cricklewood, including the industrial sites, railway land and existing retail structures with large surface car parks.
The expected growth in the economy could imply that the construction of the first phase of the £4bn scheme could commence in late 2015.
According to Hammerson, it had received "extremely positive" feedback from public consultation on the scheme improvements with around 87% of responses expressing satisfaction for the proposed amendments.
“Brent Cross has been an important part of the community for over 35 years and our plans ensure it will continue to be part of a thriving new town centre, putting this part of London truly on the map as a popular neighbourhood and retail destination, “ said Mike McGuinness, the director of Hammerson.
However, members of the Brent Cross Coalition protest group have expressed deep concerns about the redevelopment plan as they believe the scheme will lead to a drastic increase of cars travelling through the area. They also argue that the twofold increase of the shopping centre and a planned installation of an incinerator on the border of the Brent Cross will detrimentally affect the local community.
The Barnet Council leader Richard Cornelius classified the scheme as "hugely important for the borough" and said that the changes would be closely investigated by elected members.
