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Bridge Park

The future of Bridge Park

About

Brent Council is working with the owners of the Unisys buildings to redevelop the Bridge Park site, which has been partially derelict for over 15 years, to enhance the area for residents.

This redevelopment is part of a wider initiative to invest in sites along Hillside, aiming to create new homes, more jobs, and beautiful outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy. The partnership between Brent Council and Stonebridge Real Estate Development Limited (SRED) will put significant investment into improving the local area.

The exciting development proposals include new flexible community spaces, an improved adult education centre, fully accessible gardens, a hotel, as well as hundreds of new homes (including affordable) to meet the growing demand for housing. The new Bridge Park Leisure Centre will be significantly larger than the current building and will include:

swimming pool
sports hall
fitness studios
larger gym
café

The proposals aim to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable neighbourhood that honours the history of Stonebridge while meeting the needs of future generations. Bridge Park will be a great place to live, work and play. With new parks, homes and places for communities to come together, it will be a place everyone can feel proud to call home.

Plans for Hillside corridor

The Bridge Park redevelopment is an important part of Brent Council’s bigger Hillside Regeneration Corridor proposals. The Hillside Regeneration Corridor will be a lively, connected, and strong neighbourhood. It will celebrate its history while embracing new ideas and growth. It will offer different types of high-quality housing, job opportunities, community facilities, and green spaces for everyone, fostering an even stronger sense of community.

The corridor consists of:

Twybridge Way
Morland Gardens
Roy Smith House
Bernard Shaw House
Bridge Park

Background

The Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre is owned by Brent Council and has a significant place in the borough’s history. In June 2013, Brent Council explored options for developing the Unisys and Bridge Park sites for residential and commercial use to fund a new sports centre.

In February 2014, Brent consulted with residents on the layout of the new facility. By June 2017, the council agreed to sell part of its land to the owners of the Unisys buildings on the condition that the site would be redeveloped to include housing, a modern leisure centre, and a new hotel. In October 2017, the council conducted a six-week consultation to gather feedback from residents on the modern leisure centre, receiving 286 responses and over 200 participants in consultation meetings.

Unfortunately, a protracted legal dispute over Brent Council’s ownership of the site had put a temporary halt on development proposals. Nevertheless, in 2020, the High Court ruled in favour of the Council, thereby clearing a significant hurdle.

Since 2020, Brent Council has been working in collaboration with Stonebridge Real Estate Development Ltd on comprehensive redevelopment proposals for Bridge Park. These proposals have been crafted with careful consideration of community needs, financial planning, and intricate legal agreements, all of which strengthen the long-term prospects of the project.

You can read the Cabinet papers relating to Bridge Park below:

February 2019: Decision - New Bridge Park Centre
January 2017: Decision - Bridge Park - Approval to Enter into the Conditional Land Sale Agreement
October 2015: Decision - Bridge Park Leisure Centre - Procurement of an Architectural Led Design Team
July 2015: Decision - Bridge Park Redevelopment - Bridge Park - to enter into Heads of Terms
February 2014: Decision - Bridge Park
June 2013: Decision - Bridge Park redevelopment proposals

Consultations

Phase one

At the end of 2024, local people described what they would like to see in a new leisure centre which would include a new swimming pool, new sports hall, larger gym, a function hall, meeting rooms and café.

90% of respondents to the first phase of the consultation agreed that the existing Bridge Park site, including vacant buildings, requires significant improvements to meet the needs of the community. A further 86% agreed that the leisure and community facilities in the proposal offer a good mix of spaces and activities for everyone.

Phase two

Brent Council is asking local people for their views about closing the existing leisure centre in July 2025 to enable a planned closure to take place in a managed way before the building deteriorates further and costly and unaffordable repairs are required. We want to hear whether any mitigation measures are needed to be considered as part of the proposed closure.

The council also wants to hear your feedback on the design and facilities of the new leisure centre and whether local residents wish to be part of an Advisory Group to help shape the transition process.

Be part of the future

Your input is essential in shaping the future of Bridge Park and the council is looking to create a local Advisory Group to help shape the Bridge Park and Hillside Corridor proposals. If this is something of interest, please let the council know through your responses to this consultation by Sunday 11 May 2025.

Have your say on the future of Bridge Park

We're also inviting you to come along to the public exhibition events at Brent Start, Twybridge Way, NW10 0ST on 20 March (7 – 9.30pm) and Saturday 26 April 2025 (10am – 2pm)

Frequently asked questions

Why is closure being proposed now

Bridge Park has been at the heart of the Stonebridge community for decades, providing a space for sports, leisure, and community activities. However, the current building has reached the end of its lifespan and no longer meets modern accessibility, safety, and efficiency standards.

In June 2017, Brent Council signed an agreement with Stonebridge Real Estate Development Ltd, which is linked to General Mediterranean Holdings SA (GMH, owners of the adjacent ex-Unisys site) to sell the land where Bridge Park Leisure Centre is located. As part of this agreement, the council is committed to delivering a new leisure centre to replace the current Bridge Park Leisure Centre. The Council originally planned to keep Bridge Park Leisure Centre open until the new leisure centre was ready. However, the sale has been delayed due to legal challenges, meaning the new leisure centre has not yet been built.

What is the history of the Bridge Park Leisure Centre?

The Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre has a rich history. Originally built in 1905 as a tram depot, it later served as a London Transport Bus Garage. In 1987, the hard work and dedication of local residents, working with the council, transformed it into a mixed-use leisure centre.

Over the years, it has provided not just leisure facilities but also spaces for business, education, a recording studio, a nursery, and community gatherings.

However, the current condition of the building demands substantial investment to keep the site open, including major and expensive works to the lifts and other parts of the building, which is not affordable. The new redevelopment plans aim to preserve its legacy while providing modern amenities for future generations.

Why has there been such a long gap between the original planning proposals and the current redevelopment plans?

While the project faced a legal challenge that delayed progress for four years, we have now incorporated valuable feedback from the community and stakeholders into the scheme. The updated plans include a swimming pool, community spaces with the capacity to host events for up to 500 people, and a new Adult Education Centre. These changes aim to meet the diverse needs of our community and ensure that the centre remains a vibrant and accessible hub for all.

What steps are being taken to preserve the cultural significance of the site, especially given its historical importance?

The redevelopment will honour Bridge Park’s legacy by creating a new leisure centre that continues its role as a community hub. The new centre will have spaces for community events, sports, and education. The design and landscaping will celebrate the site's history, ensuring it remains a welcoming space for all residents, including the vulnerable and elderly. The centre will offer adult education facilities, promoting healthy outcomes for the community and creating a lasting legacy for those who have long valued its cultural significance.

When will the leisure centre close, and will there be any interim facilities for current users?

The proposal is for the leisure centre to close in July 2025. The exact closure date will be communicated in advance to ensure a smooth transition for users.

While the proposed closure would result in temporary loss of leisure space and loss of spaces that can be hired, alternative provision exists in the local area. Willesden Sports Centre, less than two miles from Bridge Park, is the nearest alternative leisure centre and has a gym, four-court sports hall, and sauna and steam room, as well as two swimming pools and two running tracks. There are also various community facilities, schools, faith facilities and gyms within a two-mile radius.

There are also other public leisure facilities available at Vale Farm Sports Centre and Wembley Leisure Centre within three miles of Bridge Park.

Should the leisure centre close, council officers would work to signpost leisure centre users to available alternative provision.

What facilities will be provided in the leisure centre?

The new Bridge Park Leisure Centre will be significantly larger than the current leisure centre and include a swimming pool, a sports hall, a modern gym, flexible fitness studios, and an indoor climbing wall.

What is the expected phasing and timeline of development?

The redevelopment will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption and ensure efficient progress. The proposed next steps are:

November 2024 – January 2025 Phase one consultation

The first part of the consultation invited you to have your say on plans for a new Bridge Park Leisure Centre.

December 2024 – January 2025 Public feedback review

We assessed all community feedback and refined the proposals accordingly.

March – May 2025 Phase two consultation

We are feeding back what you told us in the first part of the consultation and also asking for your views on the proposed closure of the current Bridge Park Leisure Centre.

July 2025 Proposed closure of existing centre

Subject to the outcome of phase two of the consultation and Cabinet approval, the centre is proposed to close in July 2025.

Late 2025 - Planning application submission

A formal planning application for the Bridge Park Masterplan will be submitted for determination.

2028 - Construction begins

Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals, construction work for the new leisure centre will begin and is expected to take two years.

How will the redevelopment address parking for both residential units and the new leisure centre, and what measures will be taken to manage traffic and congestion in the local area?

The redevelopment will prioritise sustainable transport with enhanced walking and cycling routes, secure cycle parking, and improved access to public transport, including nearby bus routes and Stonebridge Park station.

There will be adequate parking bays with spaces for electric vehicles, dedicated disabled parking, car club options, and extensive cycle parking for sustainable transport alternatives.

The internal loop road and consolidated access junctions will ensure smooth traffic flow and promote greener travel choices to minimise traffic and congestion.

How will the Bridge Park redevelopment ensure accessibility for people with disabilities and older residents, and what benefits will these plans bring?

Accessibility is a core focus of the redevelopment. The new leisure centre, residential units, and community spaces will have step-free entrances, lifts, and adaptable facilities. Dedicated housing units will support older residents and those with disabilities. The development will also include disabled parking spaces, improved pedestrian pathways, and accessible links to public transport, ensuring everyone can easily access and enjoy the facilities.

How will the redevelopment incorporate climate change and sustainability considerations, including managing flood risks from local rivers and integrating sustainable design features?

The redevelopment will focus on sustainability and managing flood risks. Buildings will achieve a BREEAM "Excellent" rating with energy-efficient designs, green roofs, and eco-friendly materials. Renewable energy sources like solar panels and air source heat pumps will cut carbon emissions by 60%. Additionally, over 300 new trees will be planted to enhance biodiversity and air quality. These commitments promote environmental responsibility and ensure a greener future.