Hammerson and Standard Life Investments, together with Barnet council, have succeeded in their High Court appeal to overturn the Secretary of State’s decision to refuse planning consent for the Brent Cross shopping centre extension.
The Secretary of State now acknowledges that his interpretation of regional policy in relation to Brent Cross was unreasonable and that Regional Planning Guidance envisages some development at the complex. The refusal to grant planning permission has been quashed and the application will be redetermined by a new inquiry.
John Richards, chief executive of Hammerson, said: “We are pleased that we now have a clear policy against which any Brent Cross application will be considered. Of course we shall be consulting widely about the best way forward to ensure visitors to Brent Cross and the local community benefit from an attractive environment to live, work and shop.” He thought this inquiry process could take up to a year.
The Brent Cross extension proposals involve increased retail floorspace of 27,000 sq m (290,000 sq ft), a major store and 20 shops. To reduce reliance on private car access the proposals also include a £30m investment into public transport, partly subsidised by a charging policy for car parking. The proposals also include an airport concourse-style bus station.
Richards said: “The integration of road, buses, rail and underground is a radical and innovative scheme in line with the best of Government policy.”
EGi News 24/10/00
