Big plans are in place for Mill Hill East, particularly for the brownfield site that used to house Inglis Barracks, the LBB Council Depot and the British Forces Post Office. This disused, 33-hectare area of land is being transformed into a residential area, bringing with it numerous community facilities and local improvements.
Here’s more information.
The Millbrook Park Scheme
Planning consent to transform the area was granted back in 2011, which is when the project got its official name - the Millbrook Park Scheme. It’s managed by the Inglis Consortium LLP, which comprises the London Borough of Barnet, the owners of the land and Annington Properties Ltd, who are in charge of the developments.
The plan is to deliver the following to the Mill Hill East Area:
- 2,240 new homes
- Improvements to Mill Hill East Tube station
- Enhancements to the local bus services
- A public piazza (opposite the Tube station)
- Various new parks / open spaces, including a new Panoramic Park with views across the capital
- An artificial grass multi-purpose games area
- Additional access roads in order to develop individual plots
- Improvements at the junction at Frith Lane / Bittacy Hill and Holders Hill Circus
- Improvements to other junctions nearby
- A new primary school
- Community facilities at Millbrook Park School
- New retail space in the town centre
- The conversion of the former officers’ mess building into a mixed-use building
- A permanent energy centre
- Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
- A new location for the council’s recycling plant and depot
- More sustainable commercial buildings
It’s hoped that these changes will create 500 new jobs for the area and offer more apprenticeship / training initiative work placements.
What’s Been Achieved Already?
The Millbrook Park scheme is already well underway, and residents will have noticed that the following works have now been completed:
- The construction of Millbrook Park Primary School
- Improvements to the junctions at Pursley Road and Bittacy Rise and Engel Park and Bittacy Hill
- The forecourt at the railway station
- East-West link road
- 394 new homes
- Eastern Park
- Central Park
- Barracks Park
- Officers’ Mess Gardens
Marrying the Elements
Developers were aware that the new elements introduced by the Millbrook Park scheme needed to be harmonious with the existing buildings, whilst also providing the area with much-needed new housing.
The incorporation of curving streets (which follow along the site’s topography), cycle / pedestrian paths and open spaces create something that is both urban and natural. Likewise, consideration has been given to the use of materials in the new buildings; with most architectural styles mimicking the existing structures to some extent.
The ten development phases have been sub-divided among six developers, which limits the harmonising somewhat. However, the target for new housing will certainly be reached once the work is complete, and even better, residents can enjoy access to new parks, open spaces, schools and other community amenities. As an extra bonus, those that live in the new houses on the edge of Mill Hill East will be closer to the more natural landscapes in the area; which in the capital, is highly desirable.