The Bridge Park Unisys Site
The development site
From 2013 Indicative Plan Above and Council note below
Appendix 2 Indicative Development Proposals
Note that this scheme is only an illustration showing how 512 residential units could be accommodated on site and any planning application may arrange these units in a different way. Alternatively if this number of units are not secured then the land value will reduce accordingly as set out in the main report. The sports hall is illustrated by the block to the right of the illustration. It is very likely that the residential development next to the sports centre would need to be re-located to allow for parking for the sports centre to be accommodated. TheUnisys buildings are the two curved buildings to the top of the illustrations.
After the community's fight for Bridge Park ownership, eventually won by Brent Council, and various concerns over the company with overall control of the Unisys part of the site, Great Mediterranean, registered in Luxembourg, I lodged a question with Brent Council for next week's Full Council.
The Unisys site is currently in the hands of Stonebrudge Real Estate Developers Ltd LINK a subsidiary of General Mediterranean Holdings. The valuation of their property reduced its value from £36m on January 1st 2022 to £29.5m on December 31st 2022. There are two unremunerated directors and no staff.
Question from Martin Francis to Councillor Tatler (Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth)
In relation to progress on the delivery of various regeneration schemes across the borough, please could the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth:
(1) Provide an update on the plans for the Bridge Park, Technology House, car breakers and Unisys site in Stonebridge noting that the Unisys building has been unused for 26 years. See 2013 Decision: https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=9146
(2) In respect of (1) above:
(a) Confirm whether Brent Council remains in a relationship with General Mediterranean Holdings as a partner, joint developer or otherwise in this development.
(b) Provide a timeline for the development of a new sports centre, housing and hotel on the site including planning permission and completion.
(3) Also provide an update on the plans and timeline for the development, including housing and adult college, at Altamira, 1 Morland Gardens, Stonebridge, NW10
Response:
(1)& (2) Bridge Park Update
Brent Council and General Mediterranean Holdings (GMH) exchanged the Bridge Park Conditional Land Sale Agreement (CLSA) in June 2017. Therefore, the Council is in a contractual relationship with GMH as its developer partner for the Bridge Park site.
Completion of the CLSA is subject to the following 4 conditions:
1. Vacant Possession
2. Trust Claim Condition
3. Financial Viability
4. Planning
Brent Council completed the Vacant Possession and Trust Claim conditions and is progressing delivery against the two outstanding conditions (Financial Viability and Planning) to enable CLSA completion.
A target milestone plan has been outlined below for the New Bridge Park Centre, and this is based on current information so may be subject to change based on progress against each milestone:
Complete RIBA 2 - Concept Design Fix: Autumn 2024
Complete Pre-Planning Resident Consultation: Winter 2025
Complete RIBA 3 Spatial Co-ordination Design Fix: Spring 2025
Submit Planning Application: Summer 2025
Contractor Procurement: Autumn 2025
Complete RIBA 4 – Technical Design Fix: Spring 2026
Complete RIBA 5 – Commence on-site Construction: Summer 2026 –
Summer 2028 (assuming 24-month construction programme)
The immediate priority is to progress scheme plans for a pre-planning resident consultation towards the end of 2024, which will include the latest New Bridge Park Centre Bridge (sic) proposals and target dates for planning submission, planning determination and on-site delivery.
1 Morland Gardens (Altamira Italianate Villa)
(3) Morland Gardens Update
The Council is reviewing its options and proposals for the Morland Gardens site. Once the Council has completed its review, officers intend on providing an update to the public later this year.
In parallel with this review, the Council is continuing to monitor the condition of the Altamira building so it remains structurally safe.
