Saturday 26 September 2009

The case for Cricklewood redevelopment

Any major redevelopment, such as the one proposed for Cricklewood, is bound to generate strong feelings. Many aspects of the scheme will be changed as the plans are developed. Barnet as a council seek to listen to all sides and make decisions in line with the policies agreed as best for the borough. Protest groups hail minor changes as "great victories". Blogger claim success as minor details are changed.

All of these comments neglect to mention the fact that the council have a huge task managing such applications. Staying the same is not an option. Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette. The job of the council is to do what's best for everyone. If every development that ever upset anyone was abandoned, we'd all be living in mud huts.

Like all major road, rail and airport developments, there is a mass of objections. When the new resources are finally opened, the protestors use them just the same as everyone else and we all end up asking ourselves what the fuss was all about. When the fantastic scheme at Cricklewood is finally finished, I'm sure it will be the same.

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