Regal London Makes First Foray Into Purpose Built Student Accommodation

Regal London, one of the Capital’s leading residential-led developers, is making its first foray into Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) on High Road, Wembley in the London Borough of Brent, signalling their intent for a greater presence in this sector.

Demand for new, sustainable PBSA has exceeded supply in North West London for several years now, and this development will make a substantial contribution to meeting that demand in one of the boroughs where the need is greatest.

Building on previous success, this is Regal London’s second development in the borough, having recently secured planning permission for 759 homes in Fulton Road, a similar mixed-use plan delivering an exciting new development with extensive benefits for the local community in place of the old Euro Car Parts office and warehouse facility.

The proposed development at 390-406 High Road comprises around 340 affordable and private student rooms on the upper levels, along with the re-provision of flexible employment town centre outlets at ground floor level, and an attractive landscaped exterior accessible to local people. It is intended that 50% of the bedrooms on offer will be made available at discounted rates and 35% of the total will be affordable in line with GLA requirements. The proposals include a range of options for local university students, from private studio apartments suitable for students living on their own, apartments (two rooms with a shared kitchen and bathroom), and clusters (multiple en-suite bedrooms with shared kitchen and living space).

Regal London’s proposed plans create an attractive landscaped exterior, aiming to add greenery and plant life to this part of the High Road by adding trees and plant beds at street level, while also providing attractive roof top terraces and communal landscaped areas within the development itself, enhancing the ecological biodiversity of the whole site.

The development is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, with on-site regulated carbon emissions expected to be reduced by 35%.

With new space available for local businesses on the ground floor, this will not only rejuvenate this part of the urban area but will bring new job opportunities alongside those created during the construction period.

Providing easy access to significant numbers of higher education campuses in London, Wembley Central Underground Station is less than a 10 minute walk from the site, with access to the Overground, Bakerloo and London Northwestern Lines, while the equally close Wembley Stadium Station offers access to the Chiltern Main Line, with regular fast trains to London Marylebone. Residents, staff and visitors will be encouraged to use public transport or bicycles when coming to the site, with ample bike parking available.

Subject to support from the local planning officers and other key stakeholders for the current set of proposals, Regal will look to submit the formal application for planning permission later in the summer to the London Borough of Brent, with a view to beginning works on the site in early 2023. That will enable a target date for the first students to move in for September 2025.