A controversial student housing project in North London has received approval from local authorities, despite facing significant opposition from area residents. The development, designed by BB Partnership architects, will transform a 9,100-square-meter site on Cricklewood Broadway currently occupied by retail spaces and parking into a two-building student accommodation complex reaching up to nine stories in height.
The project has drawn substantial community resistance, with approximately 30 formal objections submitted by local residents during the planning application process. Critics have raised concerns about the development's towering height, which they argue will overwhelm the local skyline and fundamentally alter the neighborhood's character. Additionally, residents have expressed frustration that the project fails to contribute to the area's housing shortage for families and permanent residents, instead bringing an influx of temporary student residents who will place additional strain on local services and infrastructure.
Sentinel Security commissioned the project, which will be operated by Home Is London. The development team worked in collaboration with Brent Council and the Greater London Authority (GLA) throughout the planning process. According to BB Partnership, the design aligns with current planning policies, respects local heritage considerations, and meets ambitious sustainability targets. The architectural firm emphasized that they conducted extensive consultations with both community members and council representatives during the planning phase.
However, local opposition remains strong. A resident from Mark Twain Drive criticized the project as "totally unsuitable for the local area" and argued that it fails to address the genuine needs of Brent residents. The resident stated, "Student accommodation does not alleviate housing pressures for families, key workers, or those on the council housing waiting list... it creates transient occupancy that does not support the borough's broader housing needs."
The current student housing proposal replaces an earlier plan by BB Partnership that would have created a three-building residential development with a maximum height of seven stories, providing 238 permanent homes for local residents. Another objector from Gratton Terrace expressed disappointment with this change, noting, "The previous application proposed much-needed housing, which garnered support despite concerns about height and density. It is crucial to recognize that housing for rent offers far greater public benefit than student accommodation does."
Despite local concerns, project supporters point to a student accommodation demand assessment that identified a significant and growing shortage of student housing in both Brent and London overall. The assessment concluded that the Cricklewood Broadway site occupies a strategic location for addressing this infrastructure need, positioned within 45 minutes of 122 major higher education institutions throughout the city.
Julian Williams, a director at BB Partnership, defended the project as a valuable investment in the community. "This scheme represents a significant opportunity to revitalize a key site in Cricklewood, delivering high-quality student accommodation while enhancing the local urban environment," Williams said. "Through extensive collaboration with stakeholders, we have developed a design that is sustainable, well-integrated and beneficial to the wider community."
The development places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, incorporating cutting-edge green technologies throughout the complex. Features include air-source heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling, bio-solar roofs that combine vegetation with solar energy generation, and a sophisticated mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery capabilities. According to the development team, these sustainability measures will significantly reduce carbon emissions beyond the requirements outlined in the London Plan, setting a new standard for environmentally responsible student housing in the capital.
