A demonstration will be held against plans to build tower blocks up to 25 storeys high at the site of a home improvement store.

Campaigners from Cricklewood Action Group will gather outside the B&Q store in Cricklewood Green from 11am on Saturday (June 13) to protest against a proposed scheme they claim will dwarf the surrounding shops and houses.

The plans, by developer Montreaux, would see 1,100 homes built at the 6.8-acre site at Broadway Retail Park, with 35 per cent classed as affordable.

The largest tower block, up to 25 storeys high, would be close to the railway line. Campaigners say there could also be 16 and 14-storey blocks, alongside several nine-storey towers.

Cricklewood Action Group – which says Saturday’s demonstration will be in socially distanced groups – is calling for all developments to be on “a human scale” and not more than nine storeys high.

Sapna Chadha, who lives in Blenheim Gardens, said: “We are really concerned that there is a development of that size being proposed for Cricklewood – having these blocks in an area where it is really congested, with environmental issues.

“We are worried about the doom and gloom of having towers. Cricklewood is quite a residential area.

“This is just the start of major development in the area. We know how this works – we have seen what is happening in Colindale and Hendon. It is all down the A5.”

Although the planning application will be submitted to Barnet Council, the site is on the border with Brent and Camden. The campaigners fear those in neighbouring boroughs will have little say in the planning process.

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A spokesperson for Montreaux said some aspects of the plans had been changed in response to feedback from residents.

The spokesperson added: “We understand concerns about the impact the proposed development might have on the local area and have been working hard to minimise or mitigate those concerns, particularly in relation to daylight and sunlight, and local views.

“The proposed development will see an 80 per cent reduction in both HGVs and cars accessing the site, which is significant. In addition, the closure of the car park entrance on Cricklewood Lane will help reduce traffic congestion in the area allowing for the benefits listed below to be enjoyed by local people.

“We are also proposing that 35 per cent of the new homes will be affordable and are in discussions with the council to understand their aspirations on the size and tenure of these homes.

“We appreciate that new residents will be using existing local services and we will be providing financial contributions to the council to help support these services, including health, education, public transport and highways.”

A Barnet Council spokesman said: “We have not received a planning application at this site. Generally, when we receive a planning application on a site close to the borough’s boundary, we work with the neighbouring authority to identify addresses of residents in their borough and consult with them by letter as we do with Barnet residents.

“All comments received during consultation are taken into account as part of the decision-making process.”

The demonstration will take place from 11 am to 3pm on Saturday, June 13 at B&Q, Cricklewood Green, NW2 1HD.

For more information on Cricklewood Action Group, go to: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Organization/Cricklewood-Action-Group-105216181172680/

More details of the proposed development are available at: http://bandqcricklewood.co.uk/