On Friday 19 July, we celebrated residents moving into their new homes, the first to be completed anywhere across the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme.

The event saw local residents come together on a sunny Friday evening to meet their local Cricklewood Ward Councillors, Councillor Anne Clarke and Councillor Alan Schneiderman, alongside Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green. The celebration was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, cut by a young local resident named Kiyanna, aged 8.

The first moves took place on Monday 8 July over the course of two weeks. L&Q, who delivered the new homes and will manage the properties on behalf of Barnet Council, worked with our regeneration teams and Barnet Homes to ensure everyone’s move into their new homes went as smoothly as possible.

One of the residents who joined the celebration is Omar (pictured with the councillors and MP). Omar has lived in the local area for over 27 years and last week moved with his family over to Brent Terrace. Omar said: “The new homes are very functional and being surrounded by our neighbours and close friends has made the moves much easier for all of us. We are a tight-knit community and value that we can still be in close contact with each other”.

Omar invited the MP and local councillors in to see his new home.

Another set of residents who joined the ribbon cutting ceremony is Mei Laing and her son Joe (pictured right). Mei Laing and Joe have been living in their Whitefield Estate home for almost 17 years and there are many things they said which they like about their new home. However, one major transformation for them was being moved from the second floor to the ground floor. Mei Laing said: “Because of my leg, I used to struggle to leave my house for a long time. But now that I have been placed at the ground floor, I’m able to easily leave my home and access it without much trouble”.

Finchley and Golders Green MP, Sarah Sackman, said: “I was honoured to help Kiyanna cut the ribbon at Brent Terrace. Having decent social tenancy brings security, dignity and stability to families. The impact of this on wellbeing and happiness cannot be measured.”

Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts & Sport, and Cricklewood Ward Member, Councillor Anne Clark, added: “We know just how excited residents have been to move into their new homes and what a momentous time this is for the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme. I hope the residents continue to settle into their new homes and new neighbourhood.”

These high-quality homes provide replacement social housing for residents living in the nearby Whitefield Estate, alongside shared equity for existing leaseholders. As well as these homes which have been completed by L&Q on behalf of Barnet Council as part of the broader regeneration plans, construction is also well underway on the first new homes at Brent Cross Town. Plot 12, which is also social housing, will be the first residential building completed at Brent Cross Town, with residents anticipated to move in the next few months.

For more information on the Brent Cross Cricklewood Regeneration Scheme click here.