Minister unblocks £600million plan for Stonebridge

Proposals for new homes, jobs, green spaces and a new and improved leisure centre in the heart of Stonebridge can now progress, following a decision by the Secretary of State.

Historic England has recommended that the old Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre should not be added to the list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

Consequently, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP, has decided that Bridge Park will not be added to the national list of protected buildings.

Brent Council has welcomed the decision which removes a barrier that risked further delays to the £600million investment in Stonebridge.

The old leisure centre, which closed in July 2025, has reached the end of its usable life. Housed in a converted bus garage, the old building no longer meets modern standards for accessibility, safety or flexibility. Parts of the building are not compliant with disability requirements and require significant investment to keep it running – which would not represent good value for taxpayers nor deliver what future generations need.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “Bridge Park is one of the most important sites in Stonebridge’s story. It was built through the determination of local people who believed their neighbourhood deserved opportunity, pride and ambition, and that spirit still matters today.

“This decision allows us to turn that belief into delivery. We can now get on with building a new leisure centre fit for the next generation and delivering hundreds of genuinely affordable homes. This is about honouring the past while being unapologetically ambitious for the future of Stonebridge.”

The plans will deliver a brand new, state-of-the-art Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre, more than double the size of the current building. The new centre will include a new swimming pool, a larger gym, a four court sports hall, fitness studios, flexible community and event spaces capable of hosting up to 500 people, adult education facilities for Brent Start and a café.

Brent Council is working with the owners of the Unisys buildings, Stonebridge Real Estate Development Limited (SRED), which sit next to the leisure centre to redevelop the Bridge Park site and enhance the area for residents.

New parks and green spaces will be created, with over 300 new trees planted, alongside play areas, community gardens, wildflowers, hedgerows and green roofs. Over 1,000 new homes alongside a new hotel, restaurant and retail opportunities will be provided. Hundreds of local jobs will be created during construction and once the development is complete. Long vacant sites, including the Unisys buildings, will finally be brought back into productive use.

Councillor Teo Benea, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property, said: “This decision enables Brent to move forward with one of the most significant regeneration programmes in the borough. The scale of investment involved, around £600million, will support new homes, job creation and turbocharge the economic potential of Stonebridge.

“Our residents deserve the very best that money can buy, and that is the standard we are setting here. This regeneration will deliver a state-of-the-art leisure centre that sets a new benchmark for public facilities in Brent and raise the quality of life for local people, now and for generations to come.”

Brent Council is committed to working with residents, community groups and anyone who wants to help make this project a success. Time matters, and the council is determined not to lose any more years to delay, but to deliver real benefits for local people.

Read further updates on the Bridge Park regeneration programme.