THE REGENERATION OF CRICKLEWOOD & BRENT CROSS
Historically, Cricklewood Broadway has suffered from being located between three London Boroughs (Barnet, Brent & Camden) and accordingly there has been little ownership in relation to public realm improvements. However, there now seems to be real impetus in improving matters and there are a number of major regeneration, transport and infrastructure projects planned as follows:-
The Brent Cross redevelopment is Barnet Council and Kings Cross developer Argent Related’s £4.5 billion regeneration scheme. The vision is to create a thriving town centre with 6,700 high quality homes and green spaces with the shopping centre being refurbished by Hammerson PLC at a cost of £1.4bn and to provide 150 new stores. At 180 acres it is one of the biggest projects in Europe and it has just received a £148m grant from Homes England to help kickstart infrastructure and land enabling works.
The B&Q site at Broadway Retail Park was acquired by Montreux in 2019 for £44.5m. The site is currently trading but there is a Public Enquiry ongoing for a development of 1,100 homes in four blocks between 14-25 storeys.
The new Thameslink “Brent Cross West” station to be delivered by Volkers Fitzpatrick and is located adjacent to Decathlon at Staples Corner and 1 mile from Wotton Works. It is expected to open in mid 2023 with trains every 10 minutes serving King’s Cross / St Pancras / Faringdon in a journey time of 15 minutes and with direct access to Gatwick and Luton.
Matalan, 317 Cricklewood Broadway : Acquired for £22m in December 2016 by Ziser. Matalan’s are holding over and planning has been submitted for the erection of 3 buildings ranging from 3 to 7 storeys with basements, comprising 238 residential units with commercial space at ground floor level.
194-196 Cricklewood Broadway : Planning Permission received in January 2018 for a 35,000 sq ft Asda foodstore and 96 self-contained flats over ground and 6 upper floors. There will be a basement car park for the Asda and another level will be added to Beacon Bingo’s car parking, for the use of residents, and there’ll be basement parking for supermarket shoppers.
Co-Op Store at 1-13 Cricklewood Lane : Acquired in 2017 for £15m and Planning has been submitted for 145 flats over 6-9 storeys with retail at the ground floor designed by Squire and Partners. A fantastic piece of architecture (see image below) and recently received a Resolution to Grant planning permission but disappointingly have argued under a Financial Viability Assessment that the provision of affordable housing on site is unviable and are only proposing 15 shared ownership units.
2a Langton Road: A sublime 8,000 sq ft self contained office designed by Stiff+Trevillion aimed at SMEs, a real vote of confidence for the area and is expected to set a new benchmark rent.
