New development to regenerate West London and have 'skyline-defining buildings'

A major new development in North Acton is being heralded as 'London's next big thing' which will turn derelict land into an 'iconic symbol of revitalisation'.

The Oaklands development is the inaugural project for the regeneration of the Old Oak and Park Royal area. The land, off Old Oak Common Lane, has been unoccupied for 10 years.

Details of the first scheme - which is being brought forward by Genesis Housing Association and Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR) - have been revealed.

The buildings will range from 6 to 26 storeys, with what is described as a ‘shoulder’ height of 10 storeys across the site. The whole Old Oak area is expected to have 'many new skyline-defining buildings'.

The Oaklands development is promising to deliver:

▪ 605 new homes, 242 (40%) of which will be classed as 'affordable'.
▪ This will be a combination of social and affordable rent and shared ownership. The remaining homes will be 1, 2 & 3-bedroom apartments for rent priced at market value.
▪ 3,000 m2 of office and commercial space to accommodate mainly small and local businesses.
▪ A new nursery and health facility.
▪ Communal space for the new residents through extensively landscaped public areas to provide an attractive environment and setting for the development.

Chief Executive of Genesis Housing Association, Neil Hadden said, “We are delighted to be involved in this major regeneration project, which will transform a vast expanse of west London and create much-needed housing, transport links and local amenities.

“We are committed to the future regeneration of Old Oak Common and partnerships such as the one we have with QPR will enable us to invest, not only in building new homes, but in developing new communities.”

QPR Co-Chairman, Tony Fernandes said, “The Oaklands development will include hundreds of affordable homes for Londoners.

“Along with our development partners Genesis Housing Association we look forward to creating this new neighbourhood, building a sustainable community where people can live, work and play.

“We are committed to bringing forward other development sites in Old Oak as soon as possible to create the homes that London desperately needs. All this will help us achieve our ultimate goal, which is to secure the future of the club through the construction of a new stadium with sporting, community and educational facilities.”

It is the first of many developments aimed at regenerating the area around the Grand Union Canal and is expected to transform West London in the way that the Olympic Park transformed East London.

Over the next 30 - 40 years 25,500 new homes will be built with 65,000 new jobs created.

Driving the regeneration is Crossrail and HS2 – Old Oak will stand at the interchange of these two major public transport projects – making it one of the most well-connected areas in the UK.

To oversee and co-ordinate the development, the Mayor of London in April 2015 established the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC), a mayoral development corporation.

The OPDC approved the Oaklands planning application in July 2016. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, gave his approval for the scheme in August 2016. Mr Khan said,“The development marks a significant step in realising the potential of this part of the capital

Construction work is set to begin soon with residents moving in from 2019.

11 May 2017