Art Deco-inspired block of 19 social rent homes developed by local community land trust
A not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers has submitted plans for a 19-home social housing scheme in Brent designed by Bell Phillips.
Established in 2020, the Brent Community Land Trust is comprised of people who live, work or have strong connections to Brent and has been supported with funding from Brent Council.
Brentfield Road scheme, the group’s first housing project, will replace a derelict garage site which has become a hive for anti-social behaviour with a four-storey social rent block designed specifically for single adults.
The group, which grew out of a local neighbourhood forum, said the scheme offers a much-needed opportunity for local people to remain in the neighbourhood through a community-led response to housing pressures in the area.
Bell Phillips’ designs for the scheme have sought to echo the Art Deco buildings of Brent’s early 20th century architectural heritage, characterised by the suburbs known as Metroland.
The proposed building features a prominent curved corner with an articulated brick parapet, aiming to give the scheme a confident street presence while stepping up in height to neighbouring post-war housing blocks.
The building would contain one-bed, one-person flats, which would all be dual aspect, and shared areas including a flexible communal room, a garden designed by Moss Studio and benches positioned outside each flat to encourage neighbourly interactions.
Ioana Lupas, RIBA client advisor and CLT Board Member said developing the scheme had been “a joy”.
“One of the best things about this project has been working with a talented group of architects, having that two-way exchange with really creative designers. As client advisor and member of the Brent CLT we have had meaningful input as champions for the future residents with Bell Phillips’ leading technically. It’s been a joy.”
Lupas added: ”The Bell Phillips team actually listen which is quite rare. They have been exceptionally responsive without selling out their vision. I am really looking forward to realising the design.”
Bell Phillips director Tom Morgan said Brent Community Land Trust had been an “extraordinary client”.
”The fact that this project has been driven entirely by volunteers, people giving their own time to create secure homes for others in their community, has been a genuinely inspiring process,” Morgan said.
”Together, we have developed a proposal that responds carefully to the site, reflects Brent’s architectural character and, most importantly, will provide 19 local people a home. We are proud to support the CLT’s vision which we hope will become a powerful example of what community-led development can achieve.”
The application is set to be decided by Brent council this spring.
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