North West London to Luton Corridor Prospectus for Sustainable Co-ordinated Growth January 2009 1 Foreword This prospectus provides a summary of the scale of opportunity within the North West London to Luton Corridor. The report sets out how the London boroughs of Brent, Barnet, Camden and Harrow are working together with regional and national government to ensure a shared approach to this major concentration of housing and employment growth. The drive to increase housing supply and provide people with affordable places to live is a real challenge – a challenge heightened by current economic problems. Clearly within the UK (and beyond) there is a major slow down in development activity, predicted to continue in the coming year. However, we believe that we have the economic and policy building blocks in place to deliver our long-term aspirations. The private sector is leading the development of the corridor and have made its long-term commitment clear. By 2026 over 133,500 additional residents will live in Barnet, Brent, Camden and Harrow, equivalent to a city the size of Peterborough, with much of this growth focused on a corridor of major regeneration sites. King’s Cross, Wembley and Brent Cross / Cricklewood are among the UK’s ten largest regeneration schemes, with other key sites such as Colindale and Harrow town centre all representing major private sector commitment and billions of pounds of investment. While the report focuses on London, we also recognise the major growth to our north and look forward to working closely with these partners. We have much of the key infrastructure in place, with increases in capacity planned or already occurring. For example, Thameslink services will have £5.5bn invested in them by 2015, with longer trains, improved stations and new routes, while Transport for London investment will see increased capacity for Underground services, including on the Jubilee, Northern, Metropolitan and Bakerloo lines. The area already benefits from a range of long-established excellent schools and hospitals, as well as major green spaces. However, more co-ordinated investment will be needed to provide the services required to create truly sustainable communities. In the short to medium term the Housing and Communities Agency will need to ensure pro-active investment to support housing delivery. In addition a range of partners will need to ensure the additional interchange improvements, enhanced transport capacity, education, health and leisure services for a growing population. But this is not just a housing growth corridor - it is also an economic growth corridor. The major growth in the retail, service and knowledge economies already planned for must support London’s growth, as well as tackling some of the serious social issues that lie within and adjacent to this corridor. We do not underestimate the challenges ahead, not least in these difficult economic times. However, the document demonstrates our commitment to work in partnership to deliver the coordinated approach required. We invite both the public and private sector to join this partnership and help us realise the opportunities this corridor presents. Boris Johnson Cllr Michael Freer Cllr Paul Lorber Cllr Keith Moffitt Cllr David Ashton Mayor of London Leader, LB Barnet Leader, LB Brent Leader, LB Camden Leader, LB Harrow North West London to Luton Corridor Contents Executive summary 5 1. Introduction and context 7 2. Starting point 9 3. Defining the corridor 11 4. How will it change? 19 5. Co-ordinating the growth 31 6. What are the challenges? 41 7. Rising to the opportunities 53 3 Opportunity areas Areas for Intensification Regional centre Major town centre Priority for regeneration 0 2 4 6 8 10km North West London to Luton Corridor Executive summary North West London to Luton Corridor – successful, sustainable, co-ordinated growth Areas for Intensification North West London represents a major growth Focused growth Major town centre corridor, undergoing substantial private sector-led Growth within the London element of the corridor housing and economic growth. This prospectus is focused on a series of major sites. Brent Cross/ identifies the projected growth and sets out the Cricklewood, Wembley and King’s Cross are among investment needed to support a growing the largest urban regeneration projects in the population. country, with growth at locations such as West Hampstead, Colindale and Harrow town centre To maximise the benefits of growth the North West also representing thousands of new homes. There London to Luton Corridor has been identified as an is also major economic development associated opportunity to promote the linkages and with this growing area. collaboration between authorities, stakeholders and partners within North West London and An accessible corridor beyond. The corridor threads through the London The success of growth will depend on ensuring high boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Camden and Harrow and quality transport connections. The Thameslink extends along the M1/Thameslink Corridor between programme is already underway to enhance a high- London and Luton. quality rail connection through the heart of the corridor, while the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and A commitment to growth planned improvements to the wider Underground, There is a clear political commitment to growth Overground and road infrastructure will also and renewal within the corridor. By 2026 the deliver improved capacity. Greater London Authority estimate that some 133,582 additional residents will live in Barnet, However, further capacity is needed to meet the Brent, Camden and Harrow. To meet this long term growth requirements, with associated expansion, the four London boroughs are set to major improvements in key interchanges, such as accommodate 41,700 new homes between West Hampstead and Cricklewood. Orbital links 2007/08 and 2017/18 as defined within the London across the corridor, linking the centres of growth, Plan (consolidated with alterations since 2004). need reinforcing through the road / bus network. A further 142,300 new homes are set to be accommodated in the East of England areas Maximising the potential – delivering adjacent to London, in locations such as Watford sustainable communities and Luton (defined in the East of England Plan, A great opportunity exists to co-ordinate efforts 2008). between the boroughs, regional and national government agencies and the private sector and to NEW NEW consider the synergies and critical mass between SITE HOMES JOBS projects. This must enhance the investment in the King’s Cross 2,250 25,000 social infrastructure required to support a growing Euston 1,000 5,000 population. This report starts to set out the broad West Hampstead Interchange 2,000 - requirements of the corridor and promote a Brent Cross Cricklewood 7,500 20,000 co-ordinated approach. West Hendon 2,171 - Mill Hill East 2,000 500 The North West London to Luton Corridor offers Colindale 10,000 500 one of the most attractive propositions to deliver Wembley City 10,000 10,000 the London Plan, to create sustainable communities South Kilburn 1,500 - and offer a range of opportunities for the public and private sector to make a real difference to the lives Harrow 4,000 13,000 of existing and future residents. 5 Figure 1 North West London to Luton Corridor area. 0 2 4 6 8 10km North West London to Luton Corridor | August 08 Introduction and context 01 “… more emphasis needs to be given to issues affecting outer London and ways of realising untapped potential there…” Planning for a Better London (July 2008) The London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Camden Study area and Harrow have been working in partnership with The primary focus for the prospectus is the four the North London Strategic Alliance (NLSA), London boroughs. However, consideration is given Greater London Authority (GLA), Transport for to a broader area incorporating much of west London (TfL) and the London Development Agency Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire which is seen as (LDA) to understand the co-ordination corridor key to the overall success of the corridor. between North West London and Luton/Bedford which has been identified as an opportunity within Target audience the revised London Plan (February 2008). The prospectus is intended to be used as a tool for the GLA, NLSA and the boroughs to inform Development sites within the corridor are stakeholders about the opportunities the corridor projected to deliver tens of thousands of new presents. The target audience will be wide, and will homes over the coming years. Key sites include include: Colindale, Brent Cross, Wembley, and King’s Cross. The recognition of the corridor will be critical in • National and regional government. promoting investment in social and transport • Adjoining local authorities infrastructure to deliver sustainable communities. • Funding bodies Purpose of prospectus • Private sector developers and employers This prospectus is a first step in understanding the potential of the North West London to Luton • Homes and Communities Agency Corridor. It aims to define the opportunities in the • London Housing Board corridor while: • Infrastructure providers, e.g. utilities • Exploring existing conditions and context for companies growth (local, sub-regional, regional and inter- regional). • Identifying the challenges presented by Contact details growth. For further details on the information and opportunities presented within this prospectus please contact: • Highlighting the opportunities for integration and partnership