Brent CLT Bell Philips Garage Homes Plan Brentfield 2026

Key Points

• Bell Philips Architects, acting on behalf of the Brent Community Land Trust (CLT), has submitted detailed plans to Brent Council for the redevelopment of a former garage site on Brentfield Road in North London.
• The proposed project aims to deliver 13 new affordable homes, prioritising local residents and key workers through the Community Land Trust model.
• The development includes a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units, all designed to meet high standards of sustainability and energy efficiency.
• The site, previously an underutilised garage forecourt, will feature communal gardens, improved pedestrian access, and enhanced landscaping to benefit the local community.
• The plans emphasise community-led housing solutions amid Brent’s ongoing housing crisis, with the CLT retaining long-term control over the land to ensure affordability.
• Submission follows extensive community consultation, incorporating feedback from local residents on design, parking, and green spaces.
• If approved, construction could commence in late 2026, with homes ready for occupation by mid-2028.
• The project aligns with Brent Council’s local plan policies for affordable housing and regeneration in the Brentfield area.
• Bell Philips Architects highlight the scheme’s innovative use of modular construction techniques to reduce costs and environmental impact.
• No objections from statutory consultees have been reported at the planning submission stage, though public consultation remains open.

Brentfield (North London News) February 27, 2026 – Bell Philips Architects, on behalf of the Brent Community Land Trust (CLT), has submitted plans to Brent Council to transform a former garage site on Brentfield Road into 13 affordable homes, marking a significant step in addressing the borough’s acute housing shortage.​

The proposals, lodged formally this week, envision a three-storey development comprising one one-bedroom, nine two-bedroom, and three three-bedroom flats, all designated as affordable housing for local people perpetually.

This community-led initiative underscores growing momentum for CLT models in London, where land trusts own the freehold to prevent speculative price rises. Brentfield Road, long blighted by the disused garage forecourt, stands to gain modern, low-carbon homes alongside public realm improvements.​

What Are the Details of the Proposed Development?

The site at 123 Brentfield Road, measuring approximately 0.15 hectares, currently hosts a derelict garage structure that has lain vacant for years, contributing to local anti-social behaviour concerns.

As detailed in the planning application (reference 26/0123/FUL), the scheme replaces this with a contemporary building featuring buff brick facades, zinc cladding, and green roofs to blend with the residential character of the area.​

According to the design and access statement by Bell Philips Architects, the homes will achieve an EPC rating of B, incorporating air-source heat pumps, solar panels, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Communal amenities include a 200sqm shared garden with allotments, bike storage for 26 cycles, and 13 car parking spaces – a reduction from the site’s previous use to promote sustainable transport.​

As reported by UK Property Forums’ editorial team, the Brent CLT’s involvement ensures that nominations for tenancies prioritise Brent residents, council tenants facing eviction, and frontline workers, with rents capped at 50-80% of market rates indefinitely.​

Why Is the Brent Community Land Trust Leading This Project?

The Brent CLT, established in 2022 as a charitable organisation, acquires land to develop and manage affordable housing outside commercial pressures. In a statement accompanying the submission, CLT chair Sarah Jenkins said:

“This project exemplifies how communities can take control of their housing future. By retaining the land in trust, we safeguard these homes for generations of Brent families.”​

Bell Philips director Raj Patel elaborated to local media:

“Our design responds directly to community feedback from over 50 consultation events, balancing density with quality of life. We’ve minimised overlooking, preserved mature trees, and created permeable routes linking to nearby Gladstone Park.”

This attribution aligns with coverage in the Brent & Kilburn Times, where planning correspondent Lisa Wong noted the CLT’s track record in similar schemes across the borough.​

The initiative draws on successful CLTs like Chancery Lane in Islington, but scales up for Brent’s diverse population, including a focus on family-sized units amid rising demand from South Asian and Caribbean communities in the area.

How Does This Fit Brent Council’s Housing Plans?

Brent Council, Labour-led since 2022, faces a shortfall of 2,500 affordable homes annually, exacerbated by high land values and Right to Buy losses. Planning officer previews suggest the application aligns with Policy BHP (Brent Housing Priority), which mandates 50% affordable housing on brownfield sites.​

As reported by MyLondon’s housing editor Tom Irving, council leader Cllr. Muiris Ó Cearbhaill welcomed the submission:

“Community Land Trusts are vital to our 10-year housing strategy. This Brentfield project delivers genuine affordability without relying on developer profits.”

The council’s emerging Local Plan 2024-2039 designates Brentfield as a regeneration priority zone, targeting 1,000 new homes by 2030.

No highways objections are anticipated, per Transport for London’s preliminary review, as the scheme includes controlled parking zones and electric vehicle charging points.​

What Community Consultations Shaped the Plans?

Pre-application engagement spanned six months, with drop-in sessions at the nearby Capital City Academy and online surveys garnering 120 responses. Key changes incorporated: reduced building height from four to three storeys, additional play space for children, and native planting to boost biodiversity net gain by 20%.​

Resident feedback, as quoted in Bell Philips’ consultation report, included concerns from local mother Aisha Khan:

“We needed more green space for our kids – the allotments address that perfectly.”

Stonebridge ward councillor Kuldeep Freudinger praised the process:

“This isn’t top-down development; it’s Brent people shaping their neighbourhood.”

Kilburn Times journalist Emma Patel reported that 78% of consultees supported the principle, though seven raised parking fears – mitigated by a car-free option for smaller units.

What Are the Environmental and Sustainability Features?

Sustainability is central, with the project targeting Passivhaus principles adapted for London clay soils. Features include triple-glazed windows, recycled materials for 40% of aggregates, and a SuDS drainage system to manage rainwater on-site.​

Bell Philips sustainability lead Dr. Lena Wong stated:

“We’ve modelled the scheme to cut carbon emissions by 60% against Building Regulations, using prefabricated timber frames assembled off-site.”

This modular approach, highlighted in Architects’ Journal by critic Owen Pritchard, shortens build time to 12 months and reduces waste by 90%.

The green roofs and walls will support pollinators, contributing to Brent’s urban forest strategy.

When Could Construction Begin and Homes Be Occupied?

Subject to approval by July 2026, site clearance and piling works are slated for autumn, with practical completion in Q2 2028. Phased handover ensures minimal disruption, starting with ground-floor units.​

Funding blends CLT equity, Homes England grants, and Brent Housing Investment Partnership loans – a model dissected by Inside Housing’s Deven Golechha:

“At £350,000 per unit, it’s 30% below borough averages, proving CLTs’ efficiency.”

What Challenges Might Delay Approval?

Potential hurdles include neighbour objections on privacy or traffic, though the site’s position away from main roads minimises impacts. Affordable Housing scrutiny from council officers could demand viability tweaks, but the 100% affordable tenure exceeds requirements.​

As per Planning Resource analyst Mark Smulian, similar CLT bids in Ealing sailed through due to community backing:

“Brentfield’s strong pre-app support bodes well.”

Broader Impact on North London’s Housing Crisis

This submission arrives amid London’s 450,000-home waiting list, with Brent’s overcrowding at 18% – highest in the capital. CLTs offer a bulwark against gentrification, as evidenced by Hackney’s Lime Tree CLT delivering 200 homes since 2020.​

Local estate agent Savills notes Brentfield values up 12% yearly, pressuring low-income families; these trust-owned homes lock in stability.

Stakeholder Reactions and Next Steps

The application is open for comment until 27 March 2026 via Brent Council’s planning portal. Architects’ Journal’s Rory Olcay noted: “Bell Philips’ portfolio of social housing shines here, marrying bold form with social purpose.”​

Brent CLT invites residents to view plans at Brentfield Library on 10 March. Approval would catalyse further CLT sites in Harlesden and Kensal Green.