The £4.5bn Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme has been put on hold after the communities secretary John Denham issued a ‘stop notice’ despite the plans being approved by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

It will be one of the largest regeneration projects in the capital and was approved by Barnet Council in November 2009 and would see the expansion of Brent Cross shopping centre and the creation of 7,550 new homes of which 15% (approx 1,000) will be affordable.

The secretary of state will now consider whether to call in the development for a public inquiry following pressure from local opposition groups, whilst the Communities and Local Government (CLG) department stated it had not been ‘called in’, it means that Barnet council is unable to make a final decision on the redevelopment plans.

A CLG spokesperson said: ‘We recognise that there have been strong views expressed about this complex proposal. We will carefully consider the case and decide whether to call it in.’

Jonathan Joseph, spokesman for the Brent Cross Cricklewood Development Partners, added: ‘The BXC regeneration has received detailed scrutiny from all relevant statutory agencies including a special two-day planning and environment committee hearing and has gained strong backing now from the mayor of London and cross-party support from Barnet’s planning committee.’

The scheme is expected to deliver around £1bn of investment in community and transport infrastructure, bringing 27,000 jobs, modern facilities for three local schools, new health facilities, parks and open spaces, a new high street and a transformed shopping centre.