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Click above for what became the consented plan, plus Transport page.

2009-10-26

26 October press release

GREEN MEP BACKS COALITION, AS BARNET WORRIES ABOUT COLLAPSE OF BRENT CROSS SCHEME

London Member of the European Parliament, Jean Lambert, strengthened the campaign for a sustainable Brent Cross regeneration this week, when she announced her support for the Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan just as Barnet Council appeared to be facing the prospect that the scheme could collapse.

The London Green MEP said,
“This scheme clearly has regional repercussions in terms of its scale, because of questions of compliance with the London Plan, issues regarding traffic pollution and transport infrastructure. There are also unanswered questions about the planned waste disposal process and its impact on health. I fully support the Coalition’s call for a full Public Inquiry so that an informed and robust debate can take place into such a major and controversial development.”

IS THE PLAN VIABLE?

Meanwhile, a report [1] to the Barnet Cabinet meeting on 21st October addressed the issue of the viability of the Plan. The Council now expects the first rents from the shopping centre to be realised in 2018, six years later than originally envisaged, with work not starting until March 2015 at the earliest. Capital receipts from transfer of land to Cricklewood Regeneration Ltd would not be received until 2015. They expect the timeline to be extended by a year to 18 months if the planning application is called in, giving a probable start date of 2017 [2]. Over-shadowing the whole scheme is the current economic situation, which Barnet Council say will mean negative returns for developers in the already drastically reduced first phase, and may lead to further renegotiation.

The report [3] notes that if by January 2016 the conditions of the Development Framework Agreement have not been ‘fully satisfied’ the Council will have to find alternative ways of achieving its objectives.


HOW MUCH HOUSING?

The amount of housing included in the Plan is much less than the 7,500 units often quoted by the developers. An appendix [4] reveals that a minimum of only 795 units is guaranteed in the first phase. Another 554 units are subject to ‘viability and cooperation with third parties’.


PUBLIC INQUIRY IMPERATIVE

Alison Hopkins, a Dollis Hill resident, speaking for the Brent Cross Coalition, said, ‘It is clear reading between the lines, that the Council is now contemplating serious delays and even the failure of the development. Even as they seek planning permission, fundamental negotiations with development partners are continuing and crucial key elements are undefined and not agreed while the amount of guaranteed housing is sharply scaled down. None of the claimed social benefits in terms of jobs and new housing would be delivered until an unknown and uncommitted dated far into the future. It is no surprise that the cabinet considered what could be done to safeguard Barnet’s reputation in the event of failure. The case for a full Public Inquiry is now overwhelming and imperative before a commitment is made to a scheme that could be a financial, economic and environmental disaster.’


REFERENCES

1. Agenda Item7 – Barnet Cabinet Meeting 21.10.09

2. Above report para 7.4.2

3. Above report para 7.5.2

4. Above report Appendix 2

The report is available on http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=8579


NOTES

1. The “Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan” comprises twelve residents’ associations plus the Forum of Residents’ Associations in Barnet (representing the 12 largest residents’ associations in Barnet), Brent Cyclists, the North West London Light Railway (NWLLR) group, Brent Friends of the Earth (FoE), Barnet & Enfield FoE, Camden FoE, Sarah Teather (MP for Brent East), Dawn Butler (MP for Brent South), Labour and LibDem Councillors from Brent and Camden, Navin Shah (London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow), Darren Johnson (London Assembly Member), Jean Lambert (London MEP), Brent Green Party, Barnet Green Party, and Bestway Group.

2. The petition to call the development in for a public inquiry is available at: http://www.petition.co.uk/campaign_for_a_sustainable_brent_cross_cricklewood_development

3. Facts about Brent Cross and the Coalition are at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brent_Cross
and:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_for_a_Sustainable_Brent_Cross_Cricklewood

2009-10-21

ANOTHER DELAY - MORE TIME TO BUILD FURTHER SUPPORT!


Coalition members keep up the pressure for a Public Inquiry outside last night's meeting

Last night the Barnet Planning Committee  voted to defer discussion of  the Brent Cross-Cricklewood Plan to a two evening special planning meeting on 18th & 19th November, subject to  the suspension of standing orders at the  full Council Meeting on 3rd November.

2009-10-18

BRING YOUR BANNERS AND VOICES ON OCTOBER 20TH



The Coalition will be demonstrating outside Hendon Town Hall on Tuesday 20th October from 5pm (photocall at 5.30pm) to highlight the need for a public inquiry, rather than an extended planning committee which will only serve to allow a few more people three minutes to speak. Please bring your banners and placards to show the range of support for a public inquiry. We need a proper inquiry so that all parties can be fully cross examined and held to account.

PRESS RELEASE: OCTOBER 19TH 2009

Brent Cross Coalition Demand Public Inquiry Not “Extended Planning Meeting”

THE Brent Cross Cricklewood Coalition has again criticized Barnet’s delays and latest plans to hold a two session planning committee in November, which would allow more residents to speak, but would not allow sufficient scrutiny of the £5 billion “new town”. The group plan to hold a demonstration outside the planning committee at Hendon Town Hall tomorrow 20th October to call for a public inquiry.

The Coalition believes it is little use extending the current Planning Committee to a mammoth two-evening meeting in November. Instead of just letting more people to speak to the Committee for three minutes each, the Coalition demands a proper Public Inquiry, where the developers, Transport for London, the 'London Communications PR Agency', and other parties can all be called to justify their Brent Cross plans, which have evolved over the past five years, and be properly cross-examined. In this way a fully informed decision can be made by the Minister.

Lia Colacicco, Coalition Co-ordinator and Mapesbury Resident says, “The new BXC will affect the shape of North London for generations. The scheme should therefore be judged by people knowledgeable and experienced in large-scale urban planning. Barnet cannot be allowed to be prosecutor, judge and jury even if they now propose two evenings rather than two hours to come to a decision.

"The system of lay councillors assessing extensions and conservatories works fine, but a new town requires expert knowledge. A longer hearing with more speakers would be better, but doesn’t change the fact that planning department is out of its depth. Much better to leave the job to experts appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities.

"To make an informed judgment on BXC requires knowledge of both UK and EU planning law, town planning, urban design, familiarity with good and bad practice worldwide, sociology of housing, the 2008 UK climate change laws and likely implication for urban design in the next 5 years, Zero Emission Developments, environmental impact, a detailed knowledge of incinerator science, pollution and human health, the London Plan, TfL, transport modeling… in other words a PUBLIC INQUIRY, where the adjudicator is an impartial civil servant rather than a politician or Officers.”

Alison Hopkins, Dollis Hill resident and Coalition member says, “Barnet’s actions show they are not equipped to handle such a large application. While Planning Officers have done their best, the 800 page committee report is inconsistent and disjointed. We question why Heads of Terms have been released before Transport for London has even agreed to them, when they are after all a major party in these discussions.

The Brent Cross scheme was devised five years ago, when developers paid the 'EDAW' consultancy to devise a plan for the whole site. All public consultation arranged by the 'London Communications PR Agency' since then has been a sham, because developers have insisted the plan is "settled", and only minor details and phasing can be changed.

Barnet Council has worked exclusively with just one developer, making it impossible to work out where the private-sector body stopped, and the public-sector started. There has been no independent thought by the Council, representing the proper interests of local residents, just an accommodation with whatever the developer has wanted.

A full public inquiry is far more democratic than any local council planning process and allows all voices to be heard. This means that all the environmental, commercial and technical risks can be properly and independently judged.”

SIGN THE PETITION FOR A SUSTAINABLE BRENT CROSS DEVELOPMENT HERE

A Public Inquiry run by experts is still the best way to determine this new town.

The new BXC will affect the shape of North London for all future generations. The scheme should therefore be judged by at least one person with an A level in urban planning.

The system of lay councillors assessing extensions and conservatories works fine, but a new town requires expert knowledge. A longer hearing with more speakers would be better, but even if I were given a whole week to carry out a heart transplant I still wouldnt have the necessary skills and training to do a good job. Much better to leave the job to an expert.

To make an informed judgement on BXC requires knowledge of both UK and EU planning law, town planning, urban design, familiarity with good and bad practice worldwide, sociology of housing, the 2008 UK climate change laws and likely implication for urban design in the next 5 years, Zero Emission Developments, , environmental impact, a detailed knowledge of incinerator science, pollution and human health, the London Plan, TfL, transport modelling.....................
in other words a PUBLIC INQUIRY

2009-10-17

LOCAL PRESS (click on image to enlarge)


















LIKELY PLANNING APPLICATION TIMETABLE


If postponement of the Brent Cross Planning Application is agreed at the Barnet Planning Committee Meeting on the 20th October, the Council will then consider the suspension of standing orders for the committee at their meeting on 3rd November.

If this is agreed the likely week for the two evening hearing will be week commencing 16th November with the odds on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th November.  This should give a chance for all registered speakers to speak, but will not of course ensure the detailed consideration of the Brent Cross Cricklewood Redevelopment that is really needed. This will only be provided by a proper Public Inquiry as demanded by the Coalition.

2009-10-16

BRENT CROSS INCINERATOR DEBATE HEATS UP

The Barnet Times article on Professor Paul Connett's talk at the Willesden Area Forum has sparked a heated debate on their website,with a particularly informative piece on infant mortality rates near incinerators. Click HERE to view the comments

DON'T LAUGH! - DEVELOPER SUPPORTS DELAY


The Barnet Times reports  that Jonathan Joseph, from the Brent Cross Cricklewood development partners, said: “'We welcome the council's decision and it is right that people have the opportunity to express their views.

“A huge amount of careful work has been done to create a truly exemplary scheme that sets pioneering standards of environmental sustainability and will achieve the lasting regeneration of the Brent Cross Cricklewood area.

“We look forward to explaining the huge and many benefits for local people in Barnet and North West London.”

2009-10-15

COALITION CALLS FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY

More from Barnet Times Website (Full story HERE)

A Coalition against the massive proposals to regenerate the heart of Cricklewood has reiterated calls for a public inquiry.

The pressure group against the current form of the Brent Cross Cricklewood redevelopment made the statement after it was announced Barnet Council is looking to move the meeting for a second time.

It looks likely the planning committee will agree at Tuesday night's meeting to postpone the hearing so it can be held over two evenings in November to accommodate everyone who wishes to speak.

However, Viv Stein, a spokesman for the Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration said: “It is little use extending the current planning committee to a mammoth two-day meeting in November.

“Instead of dozens of local people speaking to the Committee for three minutes each, we need a proper Public Inquiry, where the developers, Transport for London, the 'London Communications PR Agency', and so on, can all be called."

“They will need to justify their Brent Cross plans over the past five years, and all can be properly cross-examined.”

The group, which was joined last week by a key set of Barnet residents' associations, says the current £4.5bn plans would see an extra 29,000 cars in the area each day, is too high density for the area and say plans for a waste plant amount to an incinerator.

FURTHER DELAY ON PLANNING DECISION?

THE FOLLOWING ITEM HAS BEEN PUBLISHED ON BARNET TIMES WEBSITE:

THE decision over the future of the controversial £4.5bn Brent Cross Cricklewood project could be postponed yet again, according to Barnet Council.

Plans have been drawn up to scrap next Tuesday's scheduled meeting and hold an “unprecedented” two-day review in mid-November, to allow everyone registered to speak a chance to do so.

Campaigners against the scheme had previously criticised the council for scheduling the decision on the project, the most expensive in the history of north west London.

Councillor Maureen Braun, who will chair the committee said: “I am committed to ensuring that the widest possible range of views is heard..

“We have had a great many submissions form the public covering a wide range of issues and I am keen that everyone has a chance to make their voice heard.
“Such a meeting is unprecedented in Barnet and shows the importance we attach to both the proposals put forward and to proper public involvement and transparency in the debate about the scheme.”

In order for this to happen the committee will have to sit next week and agree to defer the decision, which was originally scheduled to be made in September.

A full council meeting on November 3 will then have to agree to suspend the committee's rules and regulations to allow the extended hearing, which would be held in the week commencing November 16.

2009-10-14

DEMONSTRATE AGAINST TOXIC BRENT CROSS ON OCTOBER 20TH

Barnet's Planning Committee is due to discuss the Brent Cross-Cricklewood planning application on Tuesday October 20th at 6pm at Hendon Town Hall. We will be assembling outside from 5pm before going into the meeting to make the case for a sustainable development.

We need as many people to join us as possible so that Barnet Council recognise that it cannot pass this application against the wishes of local people who oppose their lives being ruined by increased car traffic, waste lorries and dangerous emissions from the proposed Brent Cross incinerator.

BRING YOUR OWN BANNERS AND MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN
Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, Hendon, NW4 4B9

BRENT CROSS INCINERATOR THREAT TO SCHOOLS AND HOMES

Leading waste expert Professor Paul Connett voiced vehement concerns about plans for the proposed Brent Cross Cricklewood waste incinerator, at the Willesden Area Consultative Forum last Wednesday, October 7th. This comes in advance of Barnet’s likely acceptance of the plans at the forthcoming planning committee on Tuesday 20th October.

Paul Connett, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Chemistry at St Lawrence University New York State, gave an enlightening and condemning talk, after being briefed on the proposed waste plans, including a site visit of the area by members of the Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood (BXC) Plan. He ripped apart the “green wash” claims made by the developers that the plans are harmless and “not incineration” and called the plant a “gasifying incinerator”. He stated that no gasification plant anywhere in the world has been used to successfully dispose of commercial waste by burning, that the technology is unproven other than for burning wood, that burning waste is not the answer to achieve “zero waste” and that the emission of ultra fine nano particulates by these plants isn't regulated.

Professor Paul Connett said, “These modern new-style incinerators put out more nano-particles than the old ones. The particles are so small that rather than lodging in the lungs they enter the bloodstream. You would have to be STUPID to put one of these things near a community – schools and homes are being put at risk from non-regulated and potentially lethal emissions. We need to protect our citizens from this stupidity.

The United States hasn’t allowed any new incinerators since 1995, so why have Barnet? Developers should come clean and give us the information. Barnet need to move from PR to solid answers.”

He added, “After 25 years you would be no closer to sustainability compared to zero waste. An incinerator is one big black box. Aiming for zero waste is hundreds of little green boxes.”
Lia Colacicco, Co-ordinator of the BXC Coalition said, “The Professor’s views have confirmed our worst fears that plans are totally wrong for this area. Not only is it not safe, it’s incredibly stupid. It’s madness to burn waste, crazy to put this so close to a local school, and dishonest to claim it is harmless and not incineration. This is not the right way to deal with our waste, and only confirms that plans for Brent Cross are not in the public interest. If the developers don't believe it is an incinerator, then give us the plans and show us the facts.”

“We are also concerned that Barnet Councillors have been hoodwinked by developers’ PR to believe the plant is safe, when neurotoxins will be emitted. We do not believe that Barnet Councillors and those making the decisions have fully researched the facts [5] or have even visited the site. If they had done so they would be fully aware of the implications of this toxic monster of a scheme.”

Local Councillor Alec Castle said, “Professor Connett’s enlightening talk makes it even more clear that the Brent Cross development would have a catastrophic impact on the environment and the health of local residents if approved in its current form.”

The proposed site for the incinerator is just 200 yards from Our Lady of Grace Infants School in Dollis Hill, Brent. Brent Friends of the Earth had previously condemned the plans over toxic dioxin emissions that developers admitted would be released from the plant, about monitoring of emissions and lack of detail in the plans.

The coalition now consists of twelve residents groups in Barnet, Camden and Brent, three political parties, two MPs, two London Assembly Members, three Friends of the Earth groups, London-wide and local transport campaigners, a cycling campaign, a large local employer and individual local residents. It aims to demand and achieve a public inquiry to prevent BXC being built according to current plans.

Barnet Times coverage of this story including developer's denial can be found HERE. Comment on their website and make your views known.

BRENT CROSS CRICKLEWOOD COALITION FORMED

A COALITION of local groups – spanning the boroughs of Brent, Barnet, and Camden – has formed to oppose the current £4.5-billion Brent Cross Cricklewood (BXC) redevelopment, and to win a public enquiry, at which the developers and Barnet Council can be held to democratic account.

The coalition consists of residents groups, three political parties, two Members of Parliament, one London Assembly Member, three Friends of the Earth groups, two cycling campaigns, London-wide and local transport campaigners, a large local employer, and individual local residents. It does not mandate its members, but works on a basis of common aims – to seek rejection of the planning application, or to achieve a public inquiry to stop BXC redevelopment as it is currently intended.

Lia Colacicco, Brent resident and Coalition Co-ordinator, says:
“This scheme is unsustainable in many ways, despite the green-wash painted by the developers. Our Coalition objects to many aspects of the plan -- transport provision, increases in pollution, environmental degradation, and lack of social sustainability.

“In view of the huge negative impact this regional-scale development will have on a wide area of north-west London, all our diverse groups have come together to oppose it. We welcome regeneration – Regeneration is Exciting! – but we do not accept it has to be this ill-conceived, pre-climate-change plan that has incensed a great number of local people across our three boroughs.”

Alison Hopkins, Brent resident on the border with Barnet, adds:
“This is an attempt to build Manhattan or Canary Wharf in a suburban setting, destroying much of our quality of life in the process. Frankly, the whole scheme is overbearing, and smacks of over-ambition, especially in the current fragile economic climate. People will only live there because they have to, not because they want to.

“This scheme contains outline planning permission for the next couple of decades, for the developers to do what they want. Only an unprecedented Act of Parliament could undo the tremendous power they will gain, if this outline scheme is approved.

“Furthermore, the developers have slipped FULL planning permission into what Barnet has always called an outline application, so they can immediately make huge changes, convenient for them, even though they have no commitment to see them through, over the years ahead.”

Over 3,000 petition names, calling for the development to be called in for a public inquiry, were handed in John Denham, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, last June.