November 2010: Barnet Press Office: The Ministry of Truth breaks its silence - 'RICHARD IS DELIGHTED'! (He evidently picked the short straw.)

Brent Cross Section 106 Approved

The Cheeky Chappie

"Barnet Council yesterday issued planning consent for the comprehensive regeneration of Brent Cross Cricklewood, following completion of the UK’s largest private sector section 106 agreement.

"The scheme will be delivered in seven phases over more than twenty years, with construction expected to start in 2014. [Not now, it won't.]

"Councillor Richard Cornelius, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Regeneration, said:

“This is going to be a major regeneration, which will transform part of our borough. [No Richard, it will transform ALL of our borough.] I wish to make it clear that this is not the end of discussions about the site, as we will be dealing with a whole raft of detailed planning applications over the next twenty years. We’re delighted to secure the largest private sector 106 in the UK.”

First BXC Coalition commenter:

So! The Press Office decided to major on the 'Section 106', then. That is, the money, not any virtues of the development.
     "Not the end of discussions..." we hear. 
That's not how the Planning Committee behaves, over Mill Hill East and Colindale for instance, Richard!
At Brent Cross, all the building heights, and volumes, and locations are now approved. We can at least be consulted about the colour of the cladding!

Further comment, from another Coalition member:

“This is going to be a major regeneration - having ignored residents for decades, we're now going to boot them out as Brian Coleman's undesirables, which will transform part of our borough into an urban desert of shopping malls and rabbit hutches. I wish to make it clear that this is not the end of discussions about the site with the developers, so we can try and desperately claw back some control over our own mess, as we will be dealing with a whole raft of detailed planning applications over the next twenty years, all of which will be fiercely opposed by thousands. We’re delighted to secure the largest private sector 106 in the UK which is vital, due to our own financial incompetence, otherwise we'll cut even more services.”

A third comment:

This is the largest development in the country.  For Barnet to issue such a short statement, a week after the decision was made by one unelected officer, says it all!  They would be making a lot more noise, if they were proud in any way of this scheme.  By the look of Councillor Cornelius, I doubt if he will still be around in twenty-four years time [now then], if and when the scheme is ever built in its entirety.  We've a long fight ahead, but once the evictions of local residents, building, and major roadworks get underway, I wonder how long he will keep his job.

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Link to Brent Cross: The Planning Permission That Dare Not Speak Its Name.
Link to Estates Gazette video.