FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

While final figures are not yet confirmed, it is anticipated that the development will lead to the following economic benefits: New job opportunities, including many available to local residents, both in the construction phase of the project, and on a permanent basis once the development is complete, when a range of operational, administrative and service staff will be required; A reinvigorated commercial space on the ground-floor of the development, with opportunities for local business, bringing additional employment opportunities; and A guaranteed increase in expenditure at local outlets – from retail stores to restaurants – by student residents living in the development, increasing the economic output of the local business community.

The space does not have a specified use and the consultation process is designed to hear what the community and local authorities would like to see there.

Once final details of the development are confirmed through the planning permission process, it will be possible to give full estimates of the jobs it will help to create, both in the construction phase, and on a long-term basis in terms of (a) staff employed to manage the accommodation and its various amenities, and (b) staff employed in the new commercial and retail opportunities on the ground floor of the development.

SevenCapital are working on emerging proposals to redevelop 7-8 Watkin Road, Wembley, HA9 0NL to deliver a new, sustainable Purpose-Built Student Accommodation-led development. The proposals include the reprovision of light-industrial space (e.g. creative studios/workspace/ makerspace), new street trees, urban greening, and the creation of an inclusive and attractive public realm that engages with the changing context of the Watkin Road area. ✓ Up to 355 student accommodation bed spaces. ✓ With 35% intended as affordable housing. ✓ The re-provision of 867 sqm of light industrial space, matching the existing commercial floorspace. ✓ High-quality communal amenities, including 289 sqm of external and 610 sqm of internal spaces. ✓ Enhanced sustainability measures, such as biodiversity net gain, urban greening, and a 35% reduction in carbon emissions. ✓ Improved cycling and waste management facilities, with dedicated cycle parking and refuse stores. ✓ Contributions to the local community, including Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 payments. The proposal aligns with local planning policies, aiming to create a vibrant and environmentally conscious development.

The site at 7-8 Watkin Road is currently a temporarily occupied industrial area, housing Stonebridge Boxing Club, which is set to relocate to King Edward VII Park. Previously, the site was used for industrial and warehouse purposes. The need for change arises from the site's allocation within the Brent Local Plan (BCSA6) for mixed-use, residential-led development. This aligns with the ongoing regeneration of the Wembley Opportunity Area, transforming the site into a sustainable and vibrant student housing and mixed-use development to meet the evolving needs of the community. The need for change is driven by this evolving context. The site's proximity to Wembley Park Station and its integration into a growing network of tall buildings and vibrant developments, such as the neighbouring 619-bed student accommodation and other large scale projects, make it well-suited for redevelopment. The change aligns with planning goals to deliver sustainable housing, including re-provision of industrial space, and contributes to the regeneration of the wider Wembley area. n.b We don’t want to draw too much attention to the fact that the existing use is not light industrial and more of a leisure facility in case it is questioned why we are not re-providing leisure space. If asked, perhaps we highlight that the Boxing Club use was always temporary and is relocating, as noted.

Re-provision of Light Industrial Space: The scheme includes approximately 867 m² of light industrial space, supporting a variety of potential uses such as: Maker Spaces: Collaborative workspaces tailored for small-scale industrial uses, promoting flexibility with varied licensing and leasing options. Creative Studios: Customisable workspaces for creative professionals with unique spatial needs, fostering innovation and local artistic contributions. Co-working and Managed Workspaces: Shared and adaptable spaces for start-ups, SMEs, freelancers, and social enterprises, enhancing opportunities for local entrepreneurship and business development. Economic Stimulation: The redevelopment will contribute to local economic growth by providing adaptable workspaces and fostering a diverse range of employment opportunities. Community Enhancement: With its mixed-use design, the development integrates residential and commercial uses, creating a vibrant and sustainable environment that supports the needs of residents, workers, and businesses. Support for Local Start-ups and Enterprises: The flexible workspace offerings and potential for business support services will encourage local entrepreneurial ventures and social enterprises, enhancing the area's economic resilience. This development aligns with Brent’s vision for the Wembley Opportunity Area, delivering practical benefits while contributing to the area's transformation into a thriving, multi-use hub.

Demand for new, sustainable Purpose-Built Student Accommodation has exceeded supply in the North West London area for several years now, and this development will make a substantial contribution to meeting that demand in one of the boroughs where the need is greatest. We will demonstrate the demand as part of the application, through a full assessment. Wembley is an ideal location for students due to high accessibility, location next to the stadium and given the surrounding student accommodation coming forward in the area.

Students who attend universities across London live in Wembley for the accessibility, as well as the local amenities that are numerous and create for a vibrant student culture, such as the Designer Outlet, Boxpark, Stadium and Arena.

Yes, the proposed development includes an intention to provide 35% affordable student housing.

We are required by London Plan policy to assign 51% of the rooms to a Higher Education Institution, which we will do. At present, we do not have a specific university/universities on board, but will do so.

Carbon Emissions Reduction: The development targets a 35% reduction in carbon emissions, employing the London Plan's energy hierarchy, including passive design strategies, air-source heat pumps, and solar panels. Sustainability Standards: The project aims to meet BREEAM Excellent standards, focusing on sustainability in design and operation. Circular Economy Principles: Strategies include maximising material recovery from demolition, using recycled materials, and designing for durability and adaptability. Urban Greening and Biodiversity: The scheme prioritises biodiversity net gain and urban greening through landscaping, roof terraces, and planting strategies. Construction Waste Management: A strict waste management plan is proposed to minimise construction waste.

The development incorporates several measures to achieve sustainability and align with Net Zero principles: Energy Efficiency: Aiming for a 35% reduction in carbon emissions by following the London Plan energy hierarchy. Incorporation of air-source heat pumps and solar panels to minimise reliance on non-renewable energy. Designing for natural ventilation and using wastewater heat recovery to reduce energy consumption. Sustainable Construction: Use of materials with significant recycled content, such as high-cement-replacement concretes, recycled plasterboards, glass, and steel. Adoption of modular and demountable construction techniques for adaptability and reduced waste. Circular Economy: Strategies to maximise material recovery from demolition and reuse. Design for durability, adaptability, and an end-of-life strategy for materials. Sustainability Standards: Targeting BREEAM Excellent certification to ensure the development meets high sustainability standards.

The proposed building will have a height that transitions between the taller developments in the area, aligning with the context of nearby buildings. It will be slightly lower than the 27-storey developments to the south, ensuring it integrates well into the emerging skyline while respecting the surrounding area's scale and views.

Subject to support from the local planning officers and other key stakeholders for the current set of proposals, we expect that the first students shall be moving in for September 2028, ready for the 2028/9 academic year. This assumes mid-to-late 2025 planning approval and early-to-mid 2026 start on site. These dates are however estimates and subject to change.

Measures will be applied to control the emission of noise, vibration and dust, including complying with working hours as set out by the council. Following grant permission, we will be required to submit relevant construction details prior to works starting to be agreed by the Council. This will clearly set out the measures to minimise disruption, noise and dust etc.

The development and construction will be led by SevenCapital, a prominent real estate development group specialising in high-quality residential and mixed-use projects, supported by Claridge Architects, an award-winning RIBA-chartered practice with expertise in delivering design-led architecture.

The accommodation will likely be managed by an operator, who will be appointed at a later date.

SevenCapital specialise in urban regeneration and have a strong track record of delivering developments that benefit communities across the UK, centred on Birmingham, London and the South East. In terms of student housing, SevenCapital recently submitted a planning application for Archway Campus which includes a 242-bed PBSA element alongside 187 new C3 homes. SevenCapital also have a track record of delivery in the hospitality sector, recently opening Aparthotel Birmingham Snow Hill (161 rooms) and the Park Regis Hotel (254 rooms) (both operated by Switch Hospitality), as well as Nite Nite in Birmingham city centre, and a Premier Inn in Lincoln (operated by Nite Nite and Premier Inn respectively). In London, SevenCapital have worked on the 100 Kensington scheme, which is a development for 462 flats currently under construction. The Kensington scheme includes a 29-storey building which shall be the tallest building in RBKC once complete. Separately, the Chairman owns the Park Regis Birmingham.

SevenCapital is a leading real estate development, investment and management company operating across London, Birmingham and the South-East of England. Our core focus is to deliver high-quality mixed-use developments that foster thriving, vibrant communities that complement the local area, enriching the lives of those who live and work there. As specialist in urban regeneration with a strong track record, we work to identify strong opportunities that, through development, benefit the local community.

Claridge Architects is an award-winning RIBA chartered practice established by Marcus Claridge in 2004. We have expertise designing and delivering projects within the commercial, residential and educational sectors, detailed with precision and subtlety. Informed by the physical and cultural context, we aspire to create design-led architecture that is both contemporary and rooted in its context. Design led with a passion for construction, we have a growing reputation for delivering high quality residential development projects with an acute attention to detail. In order to maximise our expertise we relish the opportunity to create and deliver projects of the highest quality from concept to completion.

There will not be community space as part of the development but the development may include affordable workspace.

The gym and lounge spaces will be for student-use only and not open to the public. When providing student accommodation, especially for younger individuals living on their own for the first time, the first priority of the developers needs to be ensuring their safety and security when using the facilities inside and travelling in the communal spaces between their rooms. As such, access to those areas will have to be tightly controlled and cannot be opened to the public at this time.

Residents and visitors will primarily travel to the site via Wembley Park Station, located approximately 500 metres away. This station provides convenient access to the Jubilee and Metropolitan London Underground lines, offering a 20-minute journey to Central London. Additionally, the site will feature enhanced provisions for cycling infrastructure, including dedicated cycle parking, promoting sustainable and active travel options. The site's proximity to key transport links ensures excellent connectivity for both residents and visitors.

In line with the London Borough of Brent’s commitment to car free developments, this scheme has been designed with no provision for parking or residential permits, but – as mentioned above – there will be ample cycle parking for all visitors, and all residents, staff and visitors will be encouraged to walk, cycle or use the plentiful public transport options in close proximity. Restrictions on parking permits will be in place so that users of the building will not be able to park within the surrounding area, minimising impacts to the local road network.

Access to the site will be from Watkin Road. An off-street loading bay is proposed to serve the site, large enough to accommodate refuse vehicles and to enable appropriate servicing for the site.