Timber frames and biodiversity are the key features of Brent Cross West’s new eastern entrance, which received planning consent from Barnet Council last week, and will provide an essential link between two major schemes as part of the ambitious Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme.

The new station eastern entrance, which has sustainability and environmental innovations at the heart of its design, will provide a stunning first impression of London’s new £40 million state-of-the-art train station, which is due to be completed at the end of 2022.

A CGI of how the eastern entrance of Brent Cross West station may look

Designed by architects Studio Egret West, the eastern entrance will also provide the link between the new station and Barnet’s new park town, Brent Cross Town, which incorporates 50 acres of parks and playing fields.

A light and airy design will emphasise safety and comfort while being highly attractive, with a roof canopy of glazed panels resting on timber columns. Vines will be connected to groundfloor planters by a wire trellis system, and ornamental trees will sit in the entranceway, as part of a wider vision for extensive planting and other ecological enhancements throughout the station.

Cycle parking for 68 cycles will be provided within the new eastern entrance building, alongside two lifts and escalators up to the new station overbridge that provides an important new pedestrian route across the Midland Main Line.

The eastern entrance also supports the ambition at Brent Cross West to provide step-free access from street level to the platforms for anyone with mobility issues, as well as platform humps that level the boarding points to the trains on the platforms.

The station work is also placing a premium on localism and inclusivity, with 20 per cent of the people working on the build being residents of Barnet, Brent and Camden boroughs.

Brent Cross West will be the first major new mainline station in London in over a decade. It will be positioned on the Midland Main Line between Hendon and Cricklewood stations, with direct connections to both Luton and Gatwick airports, Eurostar services from London St Pancras, and Brighton. At peak times, there will be up to eight passenger trains per hour.

It is expected that over 2 million journeys will be made by people from the station in its first full year of operation, rising to 5 million once the Brent Cross Cricklewood transformation is fully completed in 2031.

Brent Cross Town will deliver 6,700 new homes for sale and for rent, alongside restaurants, sports and leisure facilities, and will be a major new office destination. With 3 million sq ft of office space, it will create a business ecosystem for 25,000 employees. The new neighbourhood has pledged to be a carbon zero town by 2030 at the latest.

Councillor Daniel Thomas, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “The eastern entrance will link the new Brent Cross West Station to Brent Cross Town providing an impressive welcome to Barnet’s newest high street with its stunning sustainable design. The station itself will provide a gateway for new and existing communities to central London, two international airports and link to Eurostar services. Over the next two years Barnet Council, VolkerFitzpatrick and Argent Related will continue to work hard on construction, bringing the station opening closer to reality.”

Nick Searl, Partner of Argent Related and Joint-Lead for Brent Cross Town, added: “Securing consent for the new eastern entrance of the station is a key step in delivering the very best connectivity to the new town centre. Just 12 minutes from Central London, Brent Cross Town will become a new hub for North London, with many people, beyond just the surrounding communities, benefitting from Brent Cross West and its connections to the rest of the UK.”

Barnet Council granted permission as a delegated decision by planning officers on Monday 30 November, with work to begin early next year.

Click here to find out more about Brent Cross West station, and here to read about Brent Cross Town.