THE biggest development scheme in the history of north west London has today been officially signed off by Barnet Council.

One officer was left to iron out the fine details of the £4.5bn Brent Cross Cricklewood scheme and had to either sign it off or reject it by tomorrow.

Included in the cash is £1bn which has been pledged towards community and infrastructure projects, including new schools, roads and a rail station.

The plans for the 7,500 new homes and thousands of new offices, as well as the expansion of the existing shopping centre were given the go-ahead by councillors at a two-day planning hearing last November.

However, opponents, including cash and carry giant Bestway, have threatened to take the decision to a judicial review if the planning agreement was finally signed off by the council.

They say the plans will see “overdevelopment” of the land to the south of the A406 and north of Cricklewood Lane and will bring around 29,000 more cars to the area each day.

The coalition for a susatinable Brent Cross Cricklewood have also questioned the safety of a new waste handling and power generation facility, describing it as an incinerator.

The Brent Cross Cricklewood Partners, who have financed the deal, say there will only be around 9,000 more cars coming in because of improved public transport and deny incinerator claims.