On Friday afternoon (16 May) we officially marked the completion of Conductor House at Brent Cross Town and the relocation of former residents of the Whitefield Estate to new homes across the development — a major milestone in Barnet Council’s ambitious Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in the peaceful doorstep park outside the new homes. It brought together representatives from Barnet Council, development partner Related Argent, housing association L&Q, and members of the Whitefield Estate resident steering group — who have played a key role in championing the voices of their neighbours throughout the relocation process.

Later that evening, the celebrations continued as residents came together at a lively event at Brent Cross Town’s Visitor Pavilion to reconnect with their old neighbours and make new friendships. Music was played, and food was enjoyed including from local favourite Happy Face Pizza. Residents were also invited to share their stories of living and growing up in the community.

Eileen Touil, who cut the ribbon outside Conductor House before joining the community celebration, is one of Whitefield Estate’s longest standing former residents who first moved into the area in 1974. Eileen told us: “I love my new home, I think it has been designed very well and feels safe and secure. As we’re less than a five-minute walk from our previous home, I love that I can still use the same buses and go to the same shops I always do. I also want to thank the movers who were absolutely brilliant and took great care of all our belongings. I’m looking forward to finishing organising my new home and spending more time here.”

Other residents who joined the celebration were Stacey and her daughter Sasha. They lived in Norden Point for almost eight years and shared how much that place meant to them. Stacey said: “It was where Sasha passed her GCSE and A-levels, went to university, and got her driving licence.” They also told us how much they enjoy living in their new home. Sasha added: “We each now have our own bedroom which we’d never thought we’d have, even my mum has her own ensuite which she loves! We can’t wait to host our housewarming event this summer”.

As part of the changes happening in the area new homes have been purpose built across the development to provide high-quality housing for former residents of the Whitefield Estate. It is the culmination of many years of work between colleagues at Barnet Council and Barnet Homes to support these residents during the relocation process. Conductor House, which is now managed by L&Q, provides 120 new homes, welcomed residents relocating from the estate’s high-rise buildings into new homes at social rent alongside a number of shared equity and London Living Rent apartments. This marks the final phase of the relocation process after residents from the estate’s low-rise buildings moved to new homes on nearby Brent Terrace last year.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and Cricklewood Ward Member said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to deliver high-quality social housing and affordable homes for people living in Barnet. This is a huge moment for us and our partners at Brent Cross Town who have worked well together to deliver these fantastic new properties, and I am delighted to see residents settling in well.”

Brent Cross Town is a new net-zero park town, which is being delivered by Barnet Council in partnership with Related Argent. Brent Cross Town will deliver 6,700 of the 7,500 new homes planned within the wider Brent Cross Cricklewood programme, with options including social housing, private sale homes, student accommodation, and homes built to rent. Providing affordable housing early in the regeneration programme is a key ambition for the project, as well as providing expansive green and open space including Claremont Park and a new train station Brent Cross West, which Barnet Council delivered in December 2023.

Tom Goodall, Chief Executive Director, Related Argent added: “The completion of our first residential buildings and new residents is a celebratory moment for both us and the community. The Whitefield Estate residents have been at the heart of this area for generations, and we have always been adamant that affordable homes would be amongst the first to be delivered at Brent Cross Town.”

We are looking to launch an oral histories project with a community steering group set up to help capture and tell the stories of the local area.  If you are interested in joining the group, please contact us via the contact form here or by email at transformingbx@barnet.gov.uk