Brent: Student accommodation blocks for Cricklewood Matalan would see North London area transformed

The site had been earmarked for 238 flats but developers have brought forward a completely new scheme, citing updates to building regulations as reason for the change – including requirements for a secondary fire staircase following the Grenfell tragedy.

Developers Ziser London have submitted revised plans for the redevelopment of the Matalan site on Cricklewood Broadway in Brent. In 2023, consent was given for the construction of 238 residential flats but was designed ‘before several regulatory changes’ – such as a secondary fire escape for buildings over 18m – prompting Ziser to propose the new scheme.

The latest proposal is for the demolition of Matalan to provide 826 student bed spaces, spread across 164 rooms in two blocks. Block A would range from five to nine storeys, whilst Block B would range from three to seven storeys. Plans show space on the ground floor of both buildings for commercial use.

These private halls tend to be made up of mostly en-suite rooms, with students having their own shower and toilet, which are contained within ‘cluster flats’. This is where there are a number of rooms within one flat – a cluster – that all share a kitchen and lounge. Other rooms may be entirely self-contained studios, where the accommodation has its own en-suite, kitchen, and study area.

Go beyond the story - sign up for our LondonWorld newsletter

The designs for this development show that 662 of the allocated bed spaces would be en-suite and contained within 82 clusters, with the remaining made up of studios, accessible studios – designed for people with disabilities – and companion rooms, where a student with a disability can have a room-mate or companion to assist them with daily living needs.

Block A would comprise 406 en-suite rooms, 40 studios, 46 accessible studios, and eight companion rooms. Block B would comprise 256 en-suite rooms, 30 studios, and 40 accessible studios. The developers claim the scheme will enable students to ‘move away from residential accommodation and towards purpose-built student accommodation’.

Check out the latest developments in London

In 2023, there were 738 homes occupied by students in Brent, which developers suggest demonstrates ‘a greater demand’ for this type of accommodation in the borough. The site is around a 10-minute walk from Cricklewood station, putting it within a 40-minute travel time from the main SOAS University of London hub in Russell Square.

In the long run, Ziser London has indicated that it would like to buy the Wickes site opposite for further development and highlight that a key objective of this proposal is to make sure it ‘does not compromise the ability of that site coming forward’.

A statement by the developers notes: “The proposal has evolved […] and seeks to maximise the use of this brownfield. It has been carefully designed to ensure it makes a positive contribution to the street scene and at the same time providing good quality accommodation for students. Adjoining development, primarily residential, has been considered thus ensuring amenity has not been detrimentally impacted.”

Get the latest updates - follow us on our Facebook page

There has been one objection against the application so far, with concerns raised about the loss of a ‘very important service as a low cost clothing outlet’ and suggestions that the site should be kept as retail until the West London Orbital can enable people to more easily travel to other shopping centres.

The objector adds: “The nature of the housing isn’t appropriate. There’s no nearby college, and the stress the extra people will put on transit to Middlesex sites in Hendon will push the travel options to breaking point as the local buses are maxed-out and the A5 does not offer any meaningful transit at rush hour north-south due to traffic.

“The site should be better developed into additional retail, even if car parking is reduced, especially as we now have Brent Cross Town and Cricklewood schemes coming on stream and services and retail kept locally are critical for families with children.”

Brent Council will decide on the plan in due course.