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Brent Cross Cricklewood Development | A Brief History of Brent Cross |
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The Brent Cross Cricklewood Development On 25 March 2008, plans for one of the biggest regeneration schemes London has ever seen were submitted to Barnet Council. The £4.5 billion regeneration is designed to provide a new gateway to London and a vibrant new urban quarter in Barnet. The plans for a whole new town centre based around Cricklewood and Brent Cross would create 27,000 jobs, 7,500 homes, 3 schools, new health facilities, high quality parks and open spaces, and investment of more than £400 million in improving transport. The proposals, from development partners Hammerson and Standard Life Investments (owners of Brent Cross Shopping Centre) and Cricklewood Regeneration Limited (Brookfield Europe and Hammerson), also include a commitment to pioneering standards of environmental sustainability. The scheme aims to be the first in the UK to combine automated waste collection through a network of underground pipes, linked directly to a new waste handling and recycling facility. The waste collected would produce fuel for a combined heat and power plant on site. Rapid and efficient links would be created between the existing and new rail stations, along a new High Street, to an enhanced Brent Cross Shopping Centre and through to Brent Cross Tube. This would represent a step change in the accessibility of the area by public transport. Lined with trees, shops and cafés, the High Street would pass through a series of new public squares and over a new bridge across the A406. The 151 hectare regeneration area is bordered by Brent Cross Shopping Centre in the North, The A41 (Hendon Way) in the East, Cricklewood Lane in the South and the A5 (Edgware Road) in the West. The A406 (North Circular Road) also passes through the site, as does the Midland Mainline rail route. The application follows extensive community consultation. The proposals will go on exhibition soon and Barnet Council will be seeking the views of residents within and bordering on the regeneration area. They will then be considered by the local planning authority. If approved, the plans would be implemented over the next 15 to 20 years. For more information visit www.brentcrosscricklewood.com |
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A Brief History of Brent Cross Breaking the mould Brent Cross was the first large enclosed shopping centre to be built in the UK. When it first opened in 1976, everyone was sure it wouldn’t last! And the idea of opening until 8pm weeknights was truly revolutionary. Remember, in 1976 most shops still closed half days during the week, banks closed at 3pm and almost no-one worked past 5pm. But Brent Cross met a need for shopping people wanted, when and where they wanted it, and took the idea of customer service into the 20th century. For more than twenty-five years it has been at the heart of the community, meeting the shopping needs of the 7 million people who live within its catchment area. Extended, refurbished Brent Cross is bigger now, of course, as it was extended and refurbished in 1995, although it’s still very easy to get around. Its 110 stores and cafes compare favourably to the 75 shops with which it opened, although it’s good to see just how many of the original retailers are still in the centre. John Lewis, Fenwick, Marks & Spencer, Boots, WH Smith, Dixons, Mothercare, Russell & Bromley and Benetton are just some of the shops which have been at Brent Cross throughout. Brent Cross’ owners – Hammerson and Standard Life – continually invest in the fabric of the centre, helping keep it at the forefront of British retailing. The latest part of the programme of refurbishment is the main toilets, on which £500,000 is being spent to modernise them and make them even more user-friendly. Left: The Brent Cross fountain, circa 1980 |
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