Decision details

Tom Nathan, General Manager at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, and Andre Gibbs, Partner at Argent LLP, delivered a presentation on the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme. 

Tom Nathan advised the Board that the redevelopment of the shopping centre would be focussed on the North side of the North Circular Road and would include the development of unutilised parts of the existing estate.  He reported that shopping centre would be the main shopping destination for North London and surrounding area.  Public transport connections would be improved including the creation of a new Brent Cross mainline railway station and a doubling of the size and enclosure of the existing bus station.  Three new blocks of retail and leisure spaces would be created and connected to the existing shopping centre.  The existing centre would receive a £70 million refurbishment.  The current provision of 7,600 car park spaces would be maintained in reconfigured multi-storey car parks.  A living bridge and new town square to the South of the site would connect the shopping centre with the community living on the South side of the North Circular Road.  Investment in infrastructure and roads to improve traffic flows around Staples Corner would be in the region of £250 - £350 million.  In the new shopping centre there would be a growth in food and leisure uses with a whole floor dedicated to dining and food uses.

Andre Gibbs advised the Board that the South side of the scheme would deliver 6,700 new homes and 4 million square feet of office space.  It was highlighted that the current provision of office space in the region was considered to be of generally poor quality and that the focus would be high-quality office space for medium and larger sized enterprises.  Residential units would be of different tenure types, including some for rental only.  The Board were informed that the initial stage of the South side regeneration would be the relocation of the Whitefield Estate.  It was noted that planning phases were in progress and architects had been selected for the design of first buildings on-site.

The Board suggested that Transport for London should be involved in the planning stages.  It was suggested that they be invited to give a presentation a future meeting of the Board on their plans for Barnet including Brent Cross Cricklewood. 

RESOLVED that:

1.    the updates as reported to the Board be noted;

2.    the Board receive further updates on the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme at future meetings; and

3.    TfL be invited to present to a future meeting of the Board.