Initial plans for a multi-billion pound regeneration scheme at Brent Cross shopping centre have polarised opinion.

More than 100 people attended an open exhibition at Hendon Leisure Centre, in Marble Drive, Hendon, to get a glimpse of the £4billion scheme that will transform Brent Cross shopping centre and the surrounding area.

The plans form part of a scheme to turn Brent Cross Shopping Centre, in Prince Charles Drive, Hendon, into the “finest centre in Britain”.

Developers Hammerson & Standard Life say the current centre is outdated and plan to revive it with an outdoor retail area to create 5,000 new jobs and 1,800 jobs for builders.

However, Debra Harris and neighbour Lorraine Defriend, of Brent Terrace, are livid with the plans as they believe children in the area are losing out.

Debra said: “There are two sites that are going to be built on that are currently used by a lot of kids on the estate to play on.

“They don’t have to travel very far and we know it is safe but the council has completely disregarded this.

“I am all for regeneration because the area needs it desperately but this is going to leave the area densely populated and result in the loss of playing space.”

Lorraine added: “My children happily play in that space and I am livid to know it’s disappearing. The housing looks horrible and looks like something from outer space.

“Traffic is going to be an absolute nightmare as well.”

More than 7,500 new homes will also be built as part of the plans, and 15 per cent of these will be affordable housing.

Images on show included plans for a new Living Bridge, a huge new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the A406 to connect the north and south parts of Barnet with the west.

Nathalie Cuffey and Simone Noel hope the scheme can transform the area.

Simone said: “The area needs reforming a lot and needs to be publicised. Hopefully it can give more opportunities for people round here because there is not much at the moment.”

Final proposals will go before a Barnet Borough Council planning committee in December 2014 after receiving initial planning permission.