27/10/2008: Views needed on new Wembley Masterplan
With the successful opening of the new Wembley Stadium, re-opening of Wembley Arena and the creation of Wembley Arena Square, and plans to build new homes, shops, hotels, restaurants and a multi-screen cinema well underway, the regeneration focus has now spread to other land in and around Wembley.
Developer interest in Wembley is at an all time high with a number of new proposals coming forward for lands to the east and north of Wembley Stadium. Brent Council wants to ensure that development within the 166 acres area that surrounds the stadium occurs in a coordinated way and delivers the maximum potential from one of London's most exciting regeneration opportunities, whilst addressing needs of the local community. The revision of the Wembley Masterplan, which was adopted by the council in 2004, is now essential to achieve these goals.
Now Brent Council is seeking the views from Brent residents and businesses on a new Masterplan for the Wembley area which also includes land to the north and east of Wembley Stadium. The council's aim is to strengthen the already approved 2004 Masterplan and ensure the new plan continues to provide strong guidance to developers as to the council and community's expectations from any new development within Wembley.
The regeneration of Wembley is already underway following the completion and opening of Wembley Stadium and re-opening of Wembley Arena and the creation of Wembley Arena Square as a major open space for Brent. New shops, homes, restaurants, a 10-screen cinema and hotel facilities are now being built on land surrounding the stadium, by Quintain Estates and Development plc.
Cllr Paul Lorber, Leader of Brent Council: says: "The success of the adopted planning documents and impetus provided by the opening of the Stadium and development of the Quintain Stage 1 application has now provided the shift in perceptions of Wembley as a global brand and desirable location in which to invest. Given this shift in market conditions and rising development pressures, the time is now right to revisit the Wembley Masterplan and strengthen it to include lands to the east and north of the new Stadium."
The new masterplan covers a wider area than the approved 2004 plan and includes land in multiple ownership to the north around Wembley Park and the Wealdstone Brook and Wembley Industrial Estates to the east.
The Wembley Masterplan 2008 proposes:
- a range of different employment opportunities creating up to 10,000 new jobs that local people can access
- provision of a new shopping street with high street names
- provision for a high quality, landmark civic building which celebrates Brent's diversity and becomes a place for the local community to enjoy
- new visitor attractions
- further improvements to the transport network including roads, bus routes, footpath and a new cycle network
- improved access to homes and businesses for existing and new residents on event days at Wembley Stadium
- provision of a variety of open spaces for use by general public including a new park
- strengthened conferencing to attract inward investment and business tourism
- more new homes including affordable housing
- provision and improvements to educational facilities
- exploring opportunities to improve the Wealdstone Brook
The new Masterplan covers an area of approximately 166 acres of land to the north and east of the land that has been granted outline planning permission owned by Quintain Estates and Development plc, and is broadly defined by Empire Way to the west and the two rail lines that converge from the north and south and the River Brent in the east.
Consultation on the new Wembley Masterplan continues until Friday 17 October 2008 and copies of the full document and supporting material are available to view at: Brent House One-Stop-Shop, 349-357 High Road, Wembley or on our Wembley Masterplan webpages
Any comments should be sent in writing to the Director of Planning, Brent House or by emailing wembleymasterplan@brent.gov.uk