Protesters fail to stop Brent Cross mall

Major redevelopment of Brent Cross shopping centre has been approved by planners despite vociferous opposition from local residents and businesses.

Barnet councillors granted permission for 7,500 homes around the shopping mall after a two-day meeting which ended last night.

They also voted to allow the shopping centre to be transformed to create a "new town centre" on a 1.4 million square-metre site.

Developers Hammerson and Standard Life offered to end free parking in a bid to counter fears that an extra 29,000 daily car journeys would cause jams in the already congested area.

Permission for the £4 billion scheme, which could take 30 years to complete, seemed to hang in the balance as campaigners including Brent East MP Sarah Teather and cash-and-carry tycoon Sir Anwar Pervez lined up to oppose it.

Councillors arriving at the meeting were met by more than 100 demonstrators outside Hendon town hall.

David Howard, chairman of the Federation of Residents' Associations of Barnet, told the meeting: "We think it's an arrogant, selfish, money-centred scheme." He condemned the planned housing as "hutches for hobbits".

Council leader Mike Freer admitted he had "many reservations" when he first looked at the plans but he said he backed it "because I believe it's important for the long term future of our borough".

The committee voted 8-1 in favour, with one abstention.