Brent Council's Cabinet has approved plans to regenerate the Bridge Park complex, prioritising the construction of a new leisure centre as the first phase of the development. The community building, which will house adult education facilities, will follow as the second phase.
The decision, made at a Cabinet meeting on Monday, July 27, 2026, allocates a capital budget of £53.50 million for the leisure centre. Funding will be sourced from land sale agreements, Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL), and borrowing. A Conditional Land Sale Agreement (CLSA) is contingent upon planning and financial conditions, with authority delegated to finalize and complete this agreement. The specific land being sold is part of the wider Bridge Park Complex and Unisys site regeneration.
The new leisure centre is projected to be completed by March 2028. The planning application for this facility is expected to be submitted in October 2026 and determined by July 2027, with construction anticipated to start in April 2028. The Adult Education and Community Building is planned for Phase 2 of the development.
The new leisure centre will feature a main pool, a learner/teaching pool, a 100+ station fitness suite, a four-court sports hall, activity spaces, studios, steam and sauna facilities, a café, and changing rooms.
Councillor Matt Kelcher, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, highlighted the significant positive impact the new leisure centre will have on community health and well-being, noting that currently only 12% of Brent residents on low incomes can walk to a swimming pool. This figure is expected to rise to 80% upon completion of the new facility.
The regeneration project also aims to honour the site's history, particularly its relevance to Black British history, and ensure residents remain at the heart of the development. The plans include a 'Bridge Park Legacy Garden', which is proposed to be co-designed with the community steering group to recognize the site's history and legacy. The wider plans also include housing, employment opportunities with a new hotel, and high-quality green spaces.
The Cabinet also approved the use of up to £39 million of SCIL funding for Phase 1 of the regeneration. The project will be procured using the SCAPE Construction Framework, with authority delegated to the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to award pre-construction services and main works contracts. Further details of the Cabinet's decision can be found in the Public reports pack Monday 27 July 2026, the Agenda frontsheet, and the Decisions.
