Brent Cabinet to close Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre on July 31st, ahead of listing decision

 

Blue marker GMH site: proposed hotel and housing Yellow marker: current Leisure Centre, proposed new centre  will be further south with Adult Learning Centre behind it

 

The twin unisys buildings
 

Artists' impression of the new leisure centre 

Brent Cabinet will be asked at the next cabinet meeting to rubber stamp the closure of Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre. This comes shortly after their eviction of a nursery from the site at short notice, as they clear the site for redevelopment.

The Leisure Centre could have stayed open for longer before the builders moved in,  but officers reject that option  because it is running at a loss and the state of the building would incur maintenance expenses.

 The closure date comes a month ahead of when the decision of the Secretary of State on the community bid to give the building listed status is expected/

Officers explain:

A plaque on the current Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre marks the achievements of the late Leonard Johnson, community activist and Chair of Harlesden Peoples Community Council, in creating this space. This will be retained and included in the new facility. The council will work with the community to ensure that this history is commemorated in the new development.

Harlesden People’s Community Council have commenced a Save Bridge Park Campaign and submitted listing applications to Historic England to place Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre and Technology House on the National Heritage List for England. The developer, Stonebridge Redevelopment Estate Development (SRED has also submitted Certificate of Immunity (CoI) from listed status for the same buildings and their Unisys site.

Historic England will consider the applications and compile a report for the consideration of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. It is anticipated that a decision on the CoI and listing applications will be made in the summer 2025.

The main purpose of listing Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre and Technology House is to protect the buildings and their surroundings from changes which materially alter the buildings or their setting. Once a building is listed, listed building consent may be needed, in addition to any potential need for planning permission, for works and alterations to the buildings, and breaches of the listed building regime are subject to criminal penalties and enforcement action.

So, depending on the decisions of Historic England and the Secretary of State, it may not all be plain sailing.

Another issue is the viability of the project with General Mediterranean Holding, the international parent company, controlled by the Auchi family, expecting a return on their investment. 'Viability' raises its head, especially as the land sale to GMH is expected to  fund the new leisure centre that Brent Council will build.

The Cabinet Report notes a proposal to double the number of homes on the site from 500 to 1,000. The GMH website says it will include affordable homes but stand by for a revision of that:

 

Conditional Land Sale Agreement

In June 2017, the Cabinet approved a Conditional Land Sale Agreement (CLSA) with GMH and to complete the CLSA, the following conditions need to be achieved:

• Planning: For the developer to achieve outline Planning Consent for the Bridge Park Masterplan

• Financial Viability: For the developer to achieve a profit and for Brent to fund the capital construction of a new leisure centre from the land sale proceeds.

• Vacant Possession: For Brent to acquire the Car Breakers Yard, either via private treaty purchase or CPO proceedings. It should be noted that the Council purchased the Car Breakers Yard in February 2019 via private treaty purchase.

At the signing of the CLSA, the Council and GMH envisaged the delivery of a Bridge Park Masterplan, which comprised a new hotel, a modern leisure centre and approximately 500 new homes.

 In February 2019, and following public consultation, Cabinet approved proposals to optimise the development potential of the site by enhancing the leisure provision, incorporating additional community facilities, enterprise space and supported living accommodation.

Given that the new leisure provision is to be funded from the sale proceeds, GMH sought to optimise the quantum of housing that can be delivered on their part of the development site. The change to the CLSA would have provided “at least 500 apartments/townhouses.” Since the agreed change, the council and GMH have been working to maximise the site even further and the current proposals is to include:

·    Approximately 1,000 homes to meet the needs of Brent’s growing population

·      Modern flexible community facilities

·      A better environment and public realm

·      A new permanent home for Brent Start, the council’s adult education service

·      Enhanced leisure provision

·      A hotel with a restaurant.

An Equality Assessment demonstrates the impact of closure on current users and the local community:

Sport England’s Active Lives survey identifies a number of target groups which are underrepresented in terms of participation in sport and physical activity. The nationally identified under-represented groups are young people, women and girls, people with disabilities, over 45s and black and minority ethnic groups.

Analysis of the available data in relation to the impact on the different protected characteristic groups shows that closing the Centre may have a negative impact on Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups as a greater proportion of users are from the broad black group – Black Somali, Black Caribbean and Black African. Closing the centre may also have a negative impact on people with disabilities, as there is a targeted session for young people on a Saturday.

There may be a negative impact on the older population as they may find it more difficult to travel to alternative provision.

 Closing the centre could have a negative impact on the five faith groups who hire the Centre on a regular basis for a total of 12 hours per week. Attendance across the 5 groups varies between 217 and 339 per week.

 I estimate that if the development goes ahead, based on the timetable above the new leisure centre is unlike to open before 2028/29 at the earliest. That means unavailability for possibly 4 years or more.

Have no fear, Brent Council suggests alternatives, albeit likely to be more expensive than Bridge Park:

Whilst closure of the Centre will result in the temporary loss of this leisure service and of spaces that can be hired, alternative spaces exist nearby. These include Willesden Sports Centre, Vale Farm Sports Centre, Wembley Leisure Centre, Moberly Sports Centre, various community facilities, schools, faith facilities and private gyms. These alternative facilities are well served by public transport from the Stonebridge area.

And if you have little money:

Brent Council Public Health have a wide range of opportunities for residents to be physically active with over 70 free sessions running each week. These include Walking for Health sessions at six of our parks, instructor led sessions at 20 outdoor gyms, six weekly sessions with Sport in Mind to support mental wellbeing, Our Parks sessions in Brent parks and libraries, Steady and Stable falls prevention class for those over 50 years, Couch to 5k, parkrun, community based sessions such as Zumba and Bollywood dancing and sessions for vulnerable residents.

 The Cabinet report offers recognition of the contribution of the Black community in the new building:

The council also acknowledges that Bridge Park has played an important role in the Stonebridge community for many years. Bridge Park is an important chapter in Black British history and the community’s achievements in creating this space in the 1980’s to empower local black residents. The council recognises the importance of working with the community to ensure this history is commemorated within the new facilities. We will work closely with the Libraries, Arts and Heritage Team to explore how best to recognise the legacy and contribution that Bridge Park had in Black British History. For example, working with local groups, organisations and individuals, this might be a photo exhibition showing the development of the community centre from a bus garage through to today and a mural on the hoardings of the development site to reflect the history.

The closure will mean loss of jobs for some at least of the Bridge Park employees.

The Cabinet report notes:

There are 11 permanent employees (seven full time and four part time) and six group exercise instructors. These staff are at risk of redundancy. There will be some redundancy costs depending on the number of staff that are not redeployed. The maximum cost for redundancies will be £90k based on calculations provided by Human Resources colleagues in May 2025. There will also be Pension Strain costs of £88k for two members of staff for early release of pension.

Just a word about the companies involved. As mentioned above, General Mediterranean Holdings is an international company controlled by the Auchi family. 

Stonebridge Real Estate Development is a UK subsidiary. Mohammad Al-Miqdadi  listed on January 1st 2025 as 'a person with significant control' of SRED: These are the latest accounts  (2023) I can find:

 

Mohammed Al-Miqdadi is also a board member of the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce and director of Tucan Investments and Kenton Holdings Ltd.

 Brent Council provides a comparison of the offer at the current lesiure centre and the proposed new facilities:

 With new adult provision at the site, the issue of 1 Morland Gardens (Altamira) and its preservation, is an issue that has been much discussed on this blog.

The Altamira Villa, Stonebridge (Picture: Willesden Local History Society) 

Officers note:

For Morland Gardens, there was also a petition requesting that the locally listed Altamira Building should not be demolished as part of development plans for the site. 251 people had signed the petition.

 A decision on the demolition or retention of this building will be subject to a future Cabinet report after the necessary design, site investigation works and viability assessments are undertaken. 

Proposals would also be subject to a planning application which would also consider the appropriate planning and heritage considerations.

 

 

UPDATED: Are things moving at last on the Bridge Park and dormant Unisys site in Stonebridge? Brent Council launches consultation

 

Unisys buildings

 Unisys and Bridge Park from above

 Site ownership

I have prompted Brent Council several times recently over the Unisys/Bridge Park development. The twin Unisys buildings have been empty for decades.     In answer to a series of questions I tabled in September 2024  to Full Council LINK Brent Council said that the immediate priority was to progress scheme plans for a pre-planning resident consultation towards the end of 2024 which would include the latest on the New Bridge Park Centre and target dates for planning submission, determination and on-site delivery.

The resident consultation was launched yesterday on the Brent Council website and although the focus is on Bridge Park Centre  the wider major development that includes 1,000 homes and  a hotel is also important. The consultation closes on January 6th 2025.

From the Brent Council website:

Residents are invited to have their say on the future of Bridge Park Leisure Centre as part of an ambitious plan to invest £600 million into the Hillside Regeneration Corridor in Stonebridge.

Brent Council is working with the owners of the Unisys buildings, Stonebridge Real Estate Development Limited (SRED), to redevelop Bridge Park and the neighbouring land currently occupied by the Unisys buildings which have been derelict for more than 20 years.

The proposals, which will be shown at two exhibitions in November, show the new Bridge Park Leisure Centre will be more than double the size of the current building. Residents are being asked for their views including on a new state-of-the-art swimming pool, a new sports hall, a larger gym, a function hall, meeting rooms and a café.

The proposals include more than 1,000 high-quality homes, including family homes and affordable options; new parks and green spaces; a new 263-room hotel, commercial and affordable workspace. The designs are worked up to maximise the environmental benefits of the new buildings and encourage sustainable and active travel.

The redevelopment is part of a wider plan to invest in a number of sites, including Bridge Park, Morland Gardens, Twybridge Way, and Bernard Shaw House, along Hillside corridor.

The existing Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre has reached the end of its useable life. The current condition of the building demands substantial investment to keep the site open, including major and expensive works to the lifts and other parts of the building, which is not affordable. The proposal is therefore for the building to close next year with a decision expected in early 2025.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council said:

Bridge Park has always been a symbol of community and togetherness. So, as the building comes to the end of its life, it’s important that we do justice to both its history but also to what comes next. We take that responsibility very seriously.

We’ve listened to what residents have told us they want in a new, state-of-the-art centre. Our proposals not only provide a new Bridge Park Leisure Centre but expand and improve it for future generations. Wider plans for investing in the site will create new opportunities for everyone in Stonebridge, as well as desperately needed new homes.

Please take part in the consultation, we want to hear what you think of these proposals. Together, we can make sure that Bridge Park continues to serve and unite our community.

Mr. Mohammed Al-Miqdadi, SRED Director and Senior Director of International Development of GMH General Mediterranean Holding S.A., SPF. said:

Stonebridge Real Estate Development is excited to be working with Brent Council to bring forward a transformative vision for Bridge Park and the Unisys site. These plans focus on creating vibrant green spaces for everyone, with a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, older adults, and neurodiverse individuals. This project underscores our dedication to sustainable, community-centred spaces that enhance quality of life for local residents."

We’re proud to be delivering much-needed new homes, including affordable housing options, as well as creating hundreds of job opportunities across the hotel and leisure sectors. This major investment into Stonebridge will enrich the area and catalyse wider regeneration, whilst building on Bridge Park’s legacy as a place for connection, activity, and opportunity for all.

• Have your say at two exhibitions to find out more in person at Brent Start, Twybridge Way, London NW10 0ST on Thursday 28 November, from 3 to 7pm or Saturday 30 November, from 10am to 2pm
• There will also be an online version, which will be live from Monday 25 November on the website
• Email the team at BridgePark@four.agency

Get involved and have your say by Monday 6 January 2025.

SOME BACKGROUND ON BRIDGE PARK/UNISYS ON WEMBLEY MATTERS

 

November 2024 Unanswered question on viability of Bridge Park/Unisys development

 

September 2024 Question on Brent Council’s Mediterranean relationship with General Mediterranean Holdings

 

January 2024 What is happening with the Bridge Park/Unisys development?

 

October 2017 Controversial Bridge Park consultation + questions over General Mediterranean Holdings Chair, Sir Nadhmi Avichi’s links with the Labour Party

 

July 2015 Cllr Dan Filson warns Brent Council over making deals with a ‘convicted fraudster’

 

 

How many people know about the big (very tall) changes ahead for this corner of Tokyngton ward? WEM Tower residents in revolt

 

Wembley Point redeveloped into small apartments

Let's face it, you can't really miss Wembley Point on the North Circular Road - in fact it is right in your face. For years disused and under-used it has been converted into c400 small housing units.

It was sold to the Canda Israel Group for £43 in 2018 on behalf of off-shore clients of Bravo Investment Homes. Crucially the sale included overage, a payment to be made to the original land owner in the event that a valuable planning permission is granted. The payment will usually be a percentage of the difference between the market value of the land with the benefit of planning permission and without it.

Canada Israel, controlled by Barak Rosen and Assaf Tuchmeir (their private company, not to be confused with public company Israel Canada) has done its first deal in the UK. The company has purchased an office tower in the north-west London suburb of Wembley which it intends to convert to a residential tower at a total investment of £100 million. Canada Israel is paying £45 million for the property, and plans to build under an existing permit ("Permitted Development Rights") 440 small apartments (averaging 40 square meters) for an additional £55 million. Canada Israel plans to sell the apartments - studio and two-room apartments, for which there is high demand - for an average of about £300,000, and expects total sales proceeds of £130-150 million.

The existing office tower, with 20,000 square meters of built space, was bought as part of a 2.5 acre site for which Canada Israel plans to obtain residential planning rights to build 30,000 square meters. The property is adjacent to the Stonebridge Park Underground station, about twenty minutes journey time from central London, and is within walking distance of Wembley Stadium. LINK

Crucially the sale included overage, a payment to be made to the original land owner in the event that an additional  valuable planning permission is granted. for the site. The payment will usually be a percentage of the difference between the market value of the land with the benefit of planning permission and without it.

That additional planning permission is now being sought from Brent Council and would result in this transformation of the site: 

Impression of 'Stonebridge Place'

You will note that Wembley Point itself would be over-shadowed by an even taller block (32 storeys). The River Brent flows in front of it (now largely covered by a concrete platform) and the greenery to the left of the picture is the Wembley Brook which joins the River Brent somewhere beneath the concrete. The surburban housing and shops on the Harrow Road near the junction with the North Circular would also be over-shadowed.

Europe Real Estate LINK reported in March:

Canada Israel and Avanton have submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Brent for the regeneration of the 2.5-acre (1.26 hectare) Wembley Point site on Harrow Road to create a residential-led development known as Stonebridge Place with a GDV value of up to €297.6m (£250m) providing 515 new homes of mixed tenure, 1,200ft² of commercial space, new boxing gym with public café, landscaped gardens, pedestrian boulevards and new water features.

The Stonebridge Place proposals will deliver significant public realm improvements including a civic square, green pedestrian boulevard, children’s play spaces and resident’s gardens at ground and podium levels. The proposed new homes will be an addition to the already completed WEM Tower London, with its 439 new homes and fantastic amenities. Of the 515 new homes, 341 will be for market sale, with 35% allocated for affordable housing comprised of 57 shared ownership and 117 affordable rent homes.

Located to the south of Wembley Park and National Stadium, adjacent to Stonebridge Park Station (Bakerloo Underground Line), the new Stonebridge Place project will provide three striking new buildings. The first building is a 32 storey focal triangular tower with glass and green terracotta façade providing 266 one, two and three-bedroom market sale apartments over a new double-height residential lobby, complete with flexible commercial space.

The second stepped building, rising from 10 to 20 storeys, will have a glass and beige brick façade with balconies providing 249 mixed-tenure homes and flexible commercial space, with a large podium garden at the first-floor level. The partners will be building Stonebridge Boxing Club, an important local sports-led charity, a new facility. This will be located in the third new building on site which will be three storeys high providing a new boxing gym and public café with glass and bronzed-black terracotta façade.

The project’s significant public realm improvements include a new civic square, for food markets, a new Wembley outdoor Film Festival and Art & Antiques Market. Running through the site will be Stonebridge Place, a new green pedestrianised route linking the various buildings and landscaped areas.

Gil Selzer, Managing Director of Canada Israel UK said: “This proposed residential-led development at Wembley Point is a major urban regeneration project that will create a new destination for South Wembley. Stonebridge Place marks the next step in Canada Israel’s international expansion plans and building a strong real estate presence in the London property market.”

Omer Weinberger, CEO of Avanton commented: “Avanton are delighted to be partnering with international property company Canada Israel on this major urban regeneration scheme in Wembley which will provide market sale, BTR (Build to Rent) and social housing provision.”

Current residents of Wembley Point  (now marketed as WEM Tower) are not happy - in fact they feel misled and cheated by Canada Israel:

These are extracts from a typical comment on the Brent Planning website:

I am a new resident/tenant in the WEM Tower building and I am one of the many first ever tenants to reside in the WEM Tower building.
 

The owners and management of the premises did not and still do not disclose to potential new tenants/residents in the WEM Tower building about the proposed planning works that have been applied for permission to the Brent council during the viewings or at any point in time throughout the process of signing a contract or rental tenancy agreement with them!

This information is purposefully kept discreet and un-disclosed to all of new tenants/residents in the WEM Tower building! This is a very intentional act and behaviour of the management company and the owners and landlords of the flats in the WEM Tower building.

The entire grounds surrounding the outdoor premises of the WEM Tower building being the car park area will be subject to construction/maintenance/building work on the premises surrounding the WEM Tower building in which our flats are located/situated where we have been locked into 6-18 months rental tenancy agreement contacts!

If the planning for this project is authorised for a go ahead .. it will be extremely hazardous and injurious to our health and safety as residents residing in the WEM Tower building because we will all be surrounded by the on going construction all around the WEM Tower building premises! This is clearly unhealthy for us residents!

It is completely unfair for the management/landlords to expect us to live on a construction site! Either they decide to terminate our rental tenancy agreements of permission is granted to them for this project! Because the management/owners/landlords of the flats in WEM Tower building have not and did not disclose this information about the further construction on the premises, it was information that was kept discreet, un-disclosed concealed and withheld from us new tenants/residents currently residing within the flats in the WEM Tower building!

Please Brent Council, I am writing this appeal/objection on behalf of all several other current new residents/tenants in this building who are unhappy and dissatisfied for this project to go ahead or be given permission to go ahead!

We would like to suggest that if permission is given for this project than construction can only begin if all of us residents are evacuated from this WEM Tower building and released from our long term rental tenancy agreements! As our health and safety is at risk of construction is deemed to occur in the foreseeable future and if permission is given for this project.

Please Brent Council take this objection and appeal in serious consideration from all of us current new tenants/residents.

There are three pages of comments, mainly from WEM Tower residents and just one supporting the planning application:

I do not object to the proposal to continue to develop the Wembley Point site. The developer's plans to fully develop the land have been clear since they purchased the land. I trust that my rights as a tenant will not be infringed upon. To date, I have received prompt and helpful replies to all my emails to the Property Managers at Home-Made (who are responsible for WEM Tower), and I have no reason to believe at this time that Home-Made and/or Canada-Israel will act in a manner which is inappropriate to tenants. If the nature of this relationship changes, I have the right to complain to Home-Made and Canada-Israel as appropriate and/or report any unlawful or unethical practices to the Property Ombudsman or other relevant regulatory body. However, I have no reason at this time to expect to complain either to Home-Made and/or Canada-Israel, nor to the Property Ombudsman or relevant regulatory body.


My understanding of the proposal is such that I believe that no significant alteration will be made to the fabric of the building in which I live, that building being WEM Tower. My understanding is that the only building works which will happen at WEM Tower itself are those which are necessary for maintenance purposes (e.g. such works as would be expected by a landlord so as to fulfil their duties to tenant(s)). Therefore, I do not believe that the development of the disused car park will affect my safety or compromise my right to quiet enjoyment of the property I rent. Construction work is subject to time restrictions so as to avoid excessive discomfort to those nearby, and acoustic insulation boards can be used to minimise noise during the works. I reserve the right to complain to Home-Made (the Property Manager) and/or Canada-Israel (the Landlord) if my quiet enjoyment of the property or any other contractual or legal right is compromised for whatever reason and I am further empowered to complain to the Property Ombudsman or other relevant regulatory body if my initial complaint is handled inappropriately.


As far as I am aware, tenants have not been advised that the carpark which is currently present at the site is available for long-term use. Neither the WEM Tower website nor the WEM Tower resident app advertise parking. Indeed, the resident app stipulates that cars cannot park on the site other than for checking-in purposes and for deliveries. In my experience, both the Developer and Property Manager have been fair and flexible regarding the use of the car park, as I was allowed to park for free whilst I sold my car. Cars are inappropriate for London; I have replaced my car with a small electric moped, and I also own a bicycle, and it is my understanding that these greener modes of transportation are unaffected by the absence of car parking. I firmly believe that the Wembley Point development should be car-free, with the exemption of blue badge holders. I am a car enthusiast, but I am sentient to the negative environmental impact of car use in London and beyond and the issue of congestion, which cannot be resolved through the acquisition of an electric car (as cars are larger vehicles). It is my opinion that residents at this development should be encouraged to use (preferably electric) mopeds/motorcycles, as well as bicycles, when they are not using public transport. This would further reduce the potentially negative impact of increased population to other residents in the area and would encourage residents to make environmentally-conscious decisions. Those who need cars should hire them occasionally, and I understand that Zipcar will soon be available direct from this development. This meets my needs perfectly, and likely the needs of most or all other residents. There are a small number of cars currently parked at the development, but I have only seen one of these move and that was only on one single occasion. I am not omniscient, but my perspective is that current residents do not desperately need access to personal cars.


I believe the development of this land will have a positive impact on the area. Firstly, the property I rent at present is very well-presented; it is nicely equipped and thoughtfully designed. I have lived in both social and private rental properties my entire life, and my flat at WEM Tower is definitively the nicest, most well-equipped property I have ever occupied. The property is furnished to a higher standard than I have come to expect from a private landlord, and certainly to higher standard than any property I have ever rented or viewed, not only in London but nationwide. It is a shame that the approach taken by this developer is not used more widely, particularly by Local Authorities which ought to work more effectively to tackle the nationwide housing crisis, and should build genuinely comfortable homes for all. I grew up on a council estate, and I only wish that it had been half as nice as WEM Tower, as our standard of living would have been so much higher than it was. If WEM Tower is anything to go by, I firmly believe that the developer should be encouraged to improve run-down, disused, or poorly-developed land in Brent and beyond. They are succeeding here at Wembley Point, and I am in favour of good quality housing for all. Perhaps Brent Council could buy a few properties from the developer when they are completed?

The Wembley Towers development proposal will create jobs in the construction and hospitality sectors, both of which were hit hard by the pandemic. The staff working at WEM Tower, from the cleaners to the concierge, baristas to security guards, are fantastic. It is great to see jobs being created in Brent, and staff seem likely to be able to move onto other roles in their sector should they wish, as they are all excellent at what they do. The development, when complete, will also improve the lives of residents in the Wembley Towers; residents will be able to use both Brent River Park and the landscaped gardens at Wembley Towers, plus the health and well-being facilities which are intended.

I do not believe that the development of the carpark will infringe on my contractual and legal rights as a tenant of WEM Tower, and I understand what actions are necessary on my part should any of my rights be infringed upon for whatever reason. I plan to remain a long-term tenant of the development subject to my needs and I am enthused by the prospect of increased choice to properties on the development, and may indeed wish to migrate to another tower should it better suit my needs. I believe, based on the fairness and transparency exhibited to date, that the Landlord would consider a rent cap (that is, no increase to rent beyond the existing contractual period for the duration of another contract) should this prove appropriate and/or relevant to tenants who live onsite during the building works.

It is nice to see developers creating jobs without building on Green Belt land.

As I talk to people in Wembley it is remarkable how many do not know about planned developments - until work starts... I wonder if the WEM Tower and Monks Park residents know about the other pending tower in their corner of Tokyngton ward.

 Argenta House (opposite Stonebridge Park Station next to current bus stop)

This is a 24 storey tower that will replace the 2 storey Argenta House. The Wembley Brook runs close to the current building. The plans were approved by a much substituted Planning Committee back in October 2019. It was reduced from 28 storeys to 24. LINK

You can see Wembley Point behind the current building in this photograph but will need to imagine the 32 storey and the stepped 20 storey  buildings either side of WEM Tower as well as the impact of the 24 storey Argenta House on the light of all three. The artist's impression of a stand-alone Argenta House is more than a little misleading.

 

Argenta House on Argenta Way, opposite Stonebridge Park Station where the new block will be built. Wembley Point in the background.

© Copyright Jaggery  Creative Commons Licence

This is not all of course. On the opposite side of the road we have the Unisys buildings which along with the Bridge Park Centre and some smaller sites is the site of a controversial major development by Brent Council with General Mediterranean Holding. Details have been held up by protected legal action as the community tried to secure its ownership of Bridge Park (use this blog's search facility for details).

 

The Unisys buildings

The  intial plans were for 800 residential units of a site said to be worth c£500m and GMH said one of the Unisys blocks could be refurbished as a hotel. In the light of the Stonebridge Place development and Brent's policy in favour of tall buildings and 'intensification corridors' this is likely to be revised by the developer.

Indeed a note on the Local Plan Tall Buildings Policy  (June 2021) goes further and includes Conduit Way on the opposite side of the road to the Unisys site LINK:

For Stonebridge Park an additional area adjacent to the site allocation BSSA7 Bridge Park and Unisys Building has been identified. This incorporates the Conduit Way estate. This extension is justified on the basis that the existing estate is of low density, lower quality homes which has the potential to be intensified to a higher density reflective of its higher public transport accessibility. This is particularly so along and in the areas adjacent to the Brentfield frontage. This will complement the taller buildings proposed on the Unisys and Bridge Park site and reinforce the gateway role from the North Circular of those entering the borough from further afield.