McLaughlin & Harvey has been appointed to deliver a significant new waste transfer station in north-west London, a £33 million project integral to the wider Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme. Construction on the 9,000 square metre facility located on Geron Way is set to begin later this month. The development, commissioned by the North London Waste Authority and managed by the London Borough of Barnet, aims to enhance waste handling and recycling services for Barnet and six neighbouring boroughs.
Designed by McAdam Design, the waste transfer station will incorporate piled foundations and a steel-frame superstructure, alongside external landscaping improvements. The building has been planned with sustainability in mind, targeting a BREEAM Very Good rating. Features include noise and odour reduction measures and living roofs designed to boost local biodiversity, aligning with the environmental goals of the borough. According to McLaughlin & Harvey’s operations director, Martin Keys, the project underscores the firm’s expertise in delivering complex infrastructure projects across London and the South East.
Barnet Council’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, Councillor Alan Schneiderman, emphasised that the scheme supports the council’s ambitions for sustainability and biodiversity, reflecting a broader commitment to integrating environmental responsibility within urban redevelopment. The North London Waste Authority has similarly highlighted that the new station is designed to mitigate the impact of waste operations on local residents, promoting a balance between operational efficiency and community wellbeing.
This waste facility forms part of the expansive Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration project, one of London’s largest redevelopment initiatives covering 151 hectares. The programme is a collaboration between Barnet Council and Related Argent and aims to create a new sustainable town centre for North London. The development will deliver around 6,700 new homes, office space intended to accommodate up to 25,000 jobs, and a vibrant high street featuring shops, cafés, and restaurants. Additionally, the regeneration includes 50 acres of parks and playing fields, enhancing the area’s green spaces and recreational opportunities, with the first homes expected to be occupied later this year.
The broader Brent Cross regeneration efforts are supported by significant investment in transport improvements, including the Brent Cross Thameslink development. This element of the programme, valued at £4.5 billion, focuses on establishing a thriving town centre with enhanced connectivity through a new Thameslink mainline station and public transport interchange. The improvements aim to link Brent Cross with King's Cross St Pancras in under 15 minutes, facilitating easier commutes and greater accessibility, while supporting the creation of up to 27,000 jobs and an additional 7,500 new homes.
Beyond the immediate rebuilding, Cricklewood itself has benefited from targeted funding aimed at revitalising its local high street. As part of initiatives funded by the Outer London Fund and local councils, efforts include upgrading shop fronts, enhancing public space aesthetics and lighting, improving pedestrian areas, and supporting local enterprise with mentoring and training. These measures are designed to create a cohesive and attractive destination, boosting the local economy and community vibrancy in conjunction with the larger regeneration scheme.
Together, these developments highlight a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to urban renewal in north-west London, blending infrastructure, housing, transport, environmental sustainability, and community enhancement to create a vibrant, future-ready district.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1]
- Paragraph 2 – [1]
- Paragraph 3 – [1]
- Paragraph 4 – [1], [2], [6]
- Paragraph 5 – [3], [5], [7]
- Paragraph 6 – [4]
Source: Noah Wire Services