Wembley Housing Zone, London Borough of Brent for Wates Group with Brent Council and the Mayor of London

This 1-hectare project completes the townscape at Wembley High Road’s eastern end, linking Wembley Park and Wembley Central. It delivers 291 energy-efficient homes, including 141 affordable units – some for larger families – centered around a public garden and play area. The Wembley Housing Zone adds 3,600 sq m of commercial and community space, supporting 100 permanent jobs. Cecil Avenue provides 237 homes, including 87 affordable units, while Ujima House offers 54 affordable homes, both retained by Brent Council.

Who is on the project team? (designer, consultants, etc)

Architect - Flanagan Lawrence

Landscape Architects - Exterior Architecture

Structural and Civil Engineers - Walsh 

MEP Engineers - O’Conor Sutton Cronin (OCSC) 

Interior Designers - Flint

Planning - Avison & Young 

Sustainability - Energist 

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people.

WHZ is an ambitious regeneration project, which is being delivered by Wates in partnership with Brent Council and the Mayor of London. This transformative scheme will revitalise and complete the townscape along the eastern end of the Wembley High Road to connect two well established areas – Wembley Park and Wembley Central. The scheme has a clear eye on the future, by combining high-quality, mixed tenure energy-efficient homes with new BREEAM excellent community and commercial spaces, alongside a new publicly accessible garden within its seamless urban design. Located in the heart of Brent, one of London’s most diverse yet disadvantaged boroughs, the project embodies the borough’s future vision. Designs encourage inclusivity and sustainability and would not look out of place in some of the most coveted neighbourhoods in New York. WHZ tackles pressing challenges in housing, connectivity, and community development, laying the foundation for a brighter future. WHZ will provide 291 new homes, including 141 affordable homes some suitable for larger families delivered to highly energy efficient standards to reduce residents’ energy costs. The scheme is tenure blind and centred around a new publicly accessible garden and play area, creating a green haven off the busy High Road. 

Please describe your approach to this future place and its mix of uses. How will it function as a vibrant place? How does it knit into, and serve the needs of, the wider area? 

At the heart of WHZ is the creation of an inclusive place that can be enjoyed by all residents and the diverse local community now and in the future. We aim to deliver a sustainable development in every sense of the word. All WHZ homes, whether for private sale, shared ownership, or affordable rent, are indistinguishable in their architectural design, quality and external appearance. This fosters long-term social integration, equality, and cohesion, ensuring that all residents share the same high-quality living environment and communal spaces. Double height commercial units activate the street frontage and support the High Road by attracting footfall. The inclusion of a publicly accessible garden square and a community hall provides essential spaces for social interaction, promoting long-term community cohesion. Located at a strategic gateway, WHZ better connects Wembley Central and Wembley Park, uniting two well-established neighbourhoods. The scheme is designed to encourage active travel, with cycle stores and blue badge parking which in turn assists Brent with its sustainability goals. By addressing Brent’s critical housing shortage and prioritising safe, green, and inclusive spaces, WHZ responds directly to the needs of the local community now and in the future. Residents will have access to essential services, employment, and recreational areas all within walking distance. 

What is the social and environmental impact of the project? For example, how will the carbon use and material impact of the development be mitigated? What is the sustainability strategy? How will this future place contribute to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of its citizens?

WHZ delivers significant social and environmental benefits through a robust sustainability strategy and targeted social value initiatives. This future-proof development integrates innovative measures to enhance the economic, environmental, and social wellbeing of its community. WHZ achieves a 76% reduction in CO2 emissions, surpassing Greater London Authority targets. Cecil Avenue and Ujima House share an energy centre and Air Source Heat Pumps and solar photovoltaics eliminate the need for gas. WHZ’s pre-manufactured value target of 65% will optimise material use and minimise construction waste. The Cecil Avenue publicly accessible garden will increase the urban greening factor, reducing carbon emissions and the heat island effect in the town centre. Biodiversity at Ujima House, achieves a 8282% net gain with green roofs, planters, and trees. WHZ addresses unemployment and inequality with over 35 social value initiatives, including 113 varied job opportunities for Brent residents. The aim is to tackle inequality with the wide range of opportunities given there is a role for everyone. Commercial space will accommodate business growth and c100 jobs. Public amenities, such as a community hall and garden square, foster social interaction and cohesion, while energy-efficient homes reduce utility costs, supporting residents’ financial stability. The scheme includes c530 cycle parking spaces encouraging healthier lifestyles.