Major Housing Development Planned in Brent with Over 1,900 New Homes

Contracts have been finalised between The Hill Group and Pinnacle Investments for the construction of more than 1,900 new homes across two significant developments in the Borough of Brent, located in northwest London. The joint venture, Dollis Hill Wembley LLP, has successfully acquired sites in Wembley and Dollis Hill from United Colleges Group, marking a pivotal step towards realising these ambitious housing projects.

In a context where housebuilding in London has decreased by 84% since 2015, this collaboration is a crucial advancement in addressing the urgent need for housing in the capital. The developments will revitalise the former college sites through a mixed-use programme, which will not only include new housing but also retail and community facilities, along with high-quality green spaces. This venture will also facilitate the development of a new state-of-the-art campus for United Colleges Group on Olympic Way, Wembley.

The projects are backed by a close partnership with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Sovereign Network Group (SNG), with the GLA providing grant funding for affordable homes via its Homes for Londoners Fund. As part of the initiative, SNG will contribute 154 social rent homes across the developments, addressing local social housing demands.

In total, the Wembley and Dollis Hill projects will produce 1,934 new homes, fulfilling 84% of Brent’s annual housing requirement as outlined in the London Plan. Construction on the first phase is anticipated to commence in spring 2026.

The Wembley development will occupy a prominent location at the beginning of Olympic Way, leading towards the Stadium. It will replace the former College of Northwest London campus and will feature an 18-storey and a 30-storey linked tower, providing 307 high-quality apartments of various sizes, including 85 homes designated for social rent, each designed with a balcony or terrace. The ground floor will also include commercial and retail spaces, alongside concierge services and secure cycle storage.

Meanwhile, the Dollis Hill project on Dudden Hill Lane will deliver up to 1,627 new homes across multiple buildings ranging from four to 28 storeys, creating a vibrant new neighbourhood with a diverse mix of housing tenures. The initial phase will consist of a combination of build-to-rent and social rent homes, as well as properties for private sale, complemented by new retail and commercial amenities, and will provide substantial community and environmental benefits.

A significant new public park will be central to the Dollis Hill development, supported by extensive green infrastructure, including podium gardens, private courtyards, and over 1.3 hectares of landscaped areas, equivalent to two football pitches. Existing public parks will be upgraded with new playgrounds, enhanced safety measures, and improved accessibility. The site will also feature a new community centre, nursery, gym, and local shops, cafés, and co-working spaces. Designed as a car-free neighbourhood, the development will incorporate new footpaths, cycleways, and secure cycle storage, with a car club available for residents.

Beyond housing, these projects will generate significant social value, creating apprenticeships, training, and volunteering opportunities, and are expected to generate around 300 new jobs for local residents.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy enabling United Colleges Group to consolidate its operations and develop a new purpose-built educational campus on Olympic Way, near Wembley Park Station, ensuring its long-term presence in Brent. This transformative investment in education is made possible through the sale of the college’s sites to Dollis Hill Wembley LLP.

The new campus will focus on green skills, engineering, and the built environment, providing a modern learning environment that aligns with United Colleges Group’s mission to equip students for success in a rapidly evolving economy.

Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, stated: “At a time when housebuilding has substantially stalled in London, we are working tirelessly with our partners to bring forward new developments, such as these two sites in Wembley and Dollis Hill. This significant milestone reaffirms our belief in London as a world-leading city in which to live and work and reflects the strength of our collaboration with Pinnacle and United Colleges Group. Together, we are unlocking the potential of these sites to deliver much-needed homes in the capital, while transforming the area to develop new and enhanced public realm and provide essential community amenities that enable sustainable and thriving new neighbourhoods.”

Christopher Turnbull, Managing Director at Pinnacle Investments, remarked: “Exchanging contracts marks an important step for our joint venture with Hill and reinforces our commitment to investing in high-quality housing of all tenures where it is most needed. These developments will create vibrant, sustainable communities and play a key role in meeting Brent’s housing needs, while also enabling vital investment in education and skills through the delivery of United Colleges Group’s new campus.”

Stephen Davis, CEO & Group Principal of United Colleges Group, added: “Today is a significant milestone for the college and for Wembley. This new campus on Olympic Way will place students at the heart of one of London’s most iconic locations, providing modern facilities to support future skills in areas including construction, digital and green technologies, as well as a hospitality academy, in line with local and national priorities. It also ensures that our 130-year legacy in Brent continues for generations to come, transforming a disused building into a place of opportunity and ambition for London and Londoners.”