PRIMED FOR REGENERATION – COLINDALE (NW9)
With access to the City in just 20 minutes, great road connections and an abundance of open green space, Colindale is a North London suburb in NW9 primed for regeneration; and it seems that its time has come. Colindale is set to transform into a modern capital where Londoners will flock to escape the busyness of London.
Colindale doesn’t exactly stand out from the crowd. Lying along Edgware Road and squeezed between Kingsbury, Burnt Oak and Hendon, even the most diehard fan would have difficulty describing it as pretty or charming. But it does have some important redeeming features: housing is affordable and it’s fast changing for the better. Having been identified as one of the Mayor of London’s opportunity areas, a massive regeneration programme is under way. More than 10,000 homes will be built and improvements made to the amenities and infrastructure.
The Vision
In his 2020 Vision, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, outlines the agenda moving toward 2020, proposing more homes and employment opportunities for London. Boris identifiesColindale as one of his Opportunity Areas - regions that are set to undergo major regeneration and development to meet the demands of the Capital - whilst The London Borough of Barnet names Colindale as one of the largest growth and regeneration areas in the Borough.
With a number of exciting redevelopments now underway, the aim is to make Colindale a ‘vibrant, successful and diverse neighbourhood where people will want to live, work and visit, providing existing and new communities with high quality local services and amenities, and access to open green space and leisure facilities.’
North West London is synonymous with smart urban villages. The regeneration and current residential schemes are set to elevate Colindale alongside its more stylish neighbours.
The Action Plan
Back in 2004, Barnet Council set the Area Action Plan for Colindale in motion, with a real focus on sustainable development. The pioneering plan aims to regenerate and boost the local economy, whilst creating a range of high quality public amenities and new public spaces.
The area will also see an enhanced transport infrastructure to support the imminent influx of residents, with a revamped underground station, new and improved bus, pedestrian and cycle routes.
Developments
TNQ is a scheme of five buildings by developer NEAT in partnership with RLAM. Comprising 460 apartments and four landscaped courtyards above retail space, it includes a 17-storey tower. Later this month, Fairview New Homes launches Varsity, the final phase of its Pulse scheme, next to the station. Apartments are from £275,000. And at St George’s Beaufort Park – set to deliver 2,990 homes – apartments in Goldhawk, the latest phase, start at £329,950. A further 2,900 new homes are planned by Redrow to regenerate the Peel Centre, on land sold off by the Metropolitan Police next to its training HQ. To rent, one-bed flats start at about £800 per month.
The Commute
Colindale station is on the Edgware branch of the Northern line, just over 30 minutes from Bank. Traffic along this stretch of Edgware Road is often slow-moving but steps are being taken to reduce congestion and give streets a makeover. Drivers travelling into central London often prefer to take the A41, and the M1 is close by for a speedy getaway out of town.
Out and About
There’s an Asda, Sainsbury’s isn’t far and Colindale Retail Park has Matalan, Go Outdoors and a cluster of furniture and flooring warehouses. For more frivolous or indulgent buys, you’ll need to brave Brent Cross. A new 24/7 gym is proving popular with the young professionals moving into the area, and the RAF Museum appeals to aviation buffs of all ages
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