Riverside Approach Planning Submitted

DLA Architecture has submitted plans for an innovative, community-driven residential scheme in the London Borough of Barnet. Developed in collaboration with Bouygues UK’s development arm and Barnet Council, the project supports its mission to create strong, inclusive communities while prioritising sustainability and environmental protection for future generations.

Project Scope
The Riverside Approach regeneration project encompasses three sites in the Burnt Oak Ward of Barnet. Highlights include:

• 359 new homes, with 177 affordable units.
• A state-of-the-art Burnt Oak Library, reprovisioned for future generations.
• A new children’s nursery and Council employment services building.
• External and internal community amenities, including a café, co-working spaces, and a public park.
• Sustainable landscaping, play areas, and public realm enhancements.

DLA architecture is the lead architect for this major regeneration project for Barnet Council. The planning application submitted earlier this month 2024 will bring much needed homes to the area and borough whilst also re-providing a new state-of-the-art Burnt Oak Library and a range of community uses. The brief developed by Barnet Council, is to create a new environment that reflects the Council’s commitment to create “a borough where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, where communities are strong and inclusive, and where our environment is protected for future generations.”

With 3 key intentions in mind, the commitment has been further developed into the project’s objectives: Caring for people, Caring for our places and Caring for the planet.

• 3 sites will be reconfigured to comprise community spaces and 359 homes with 177 affordable.
• Proposed works will include the demolition of the existing buildings that have come to the end of life and the redevelopment of the Watling Avenue Car Park site including the erection of four buildings (6-13 storeys) comprising no.359 residential units (Class C3) with roof terraces along with external and internal amenity spaces made up of a new café and public park, 85 sqm of café, 64sqm of co-working space.
• Reprovision of Barnet Public of the existing Library building and erection of a building (4 storeys) to provide 348sqm commercial floorspace at ground floor and no.15 residential units on upper levels.
• Demolition of the buildings at the end of their life will make way for a new 3 storey building that will provide a new library, Council employment services and children’s nursery along with external amenity space.
• Associated plant, access, refuse and recycling, cycle parking, amenity spaces, landscaping, play space and public realm works are also included in the proposed development.
• The proposed development will bring much-needed homes to the area and borough whilst also re-providing a new state-of-the-art Burnt Oak Library and a range of community uses.

Key Features and Materiality: Materiality Inspired by Local Heritage

Site 1: A mix of warm, lighter tone bricks and darker, more intense brick colours were used to create variation on the facade and avoid a monotone approach. More architectural interest is then introduced via changes of bricks bond on the facade, creating areas of vertically arranged bricks and areas of stretcher bond brick pattern.
Site 2: Design uses strong horizontal articulation to accentuate the corner details of buildings on the junctions between the roads. As series of vertical colonnade details are inspired by local park greenery and architectural interests.
Site 3: Reflects the colours of surrounding nature via the use of coloured glass panels on the lantern element and the nursery entrance . Amber, yellow, and green are used strategically to create playful notes on the outer appearance and remind visitors of the building’s connection to the Silk stream.

Community-Centric Design

Redevelopment of the Watling Avenue Car Park site into four residential buildings (6-13 storeys) with modern amenities.
Replacement of aging structures with a vibrant three-story building housing the new library, nursery, and services.

Sustainability at its Core

The proposal meets sustainability aspiration set by clients in 3 categories: effective resource management, adaptation to climate change , and pollution management, and satisfies the targets set by the council and GLA.

Effective resource management measures include effective use of existing materials and previously developed land; enhancement of existing site biodiversity value and improvement of biodiversity net gain by 10%; specification of fabric-first approach, and incorporation of renewable technologies such as air source heat pump and photovoltaics.

Adaptation to climate change design consists of maximised energy efficiency through passive and active measures such as optimising daylight and passive solar heating, which saves an estimate 182.8 tonnes CO2. Landscape proposal increases the green cover on site which aims to score at least 0.3 and 0.4 for the non-domestic and domestic elements respectively.

Pollution management will be achieved via reducing pollution from vehicular transport, encouraging cycling, minimising pollution risks from construction and demolition activities, and eliminating fossil-fuel combustion emissions on site. The non- domestic areas aim to achieve bream “very good “target of 55%.

Oliver Campbell, Managing Director of Development at Bouygues UK said,

“We are thrilled to be part of this innovative and community-focused project in Barnet. Working alongside Barnet Council and our partners, we are committed to delivering a development that not only meets the highest standards of sustainability but also enhances the quality of life for residents. We are delighted that plans have been submitted, marking a significant step towards bringing this vision to reality. We look forward to seeing the Riverside Approach regeneration project come to life, bringing much-needed homes and exceptional community facilities to the area.”

 

Alejandro Carrajo Garcia, Associate at DLA Architecture, added:

“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with Bouygues UK and Barnet Council on this community-led, mixed-use scheme in Barnet. The project will provide fantastic benefits to the community as 50% much-needed affordable homes, a state-of-the-art library, a new nursery, and a new park along the Silkstream. This transformative development will serve as a catalyst for further regeneration in the area while supporting the Council’s vision of fostering strong, inclusive communities and safeguarding the environment for future generations. Submitting the planning application, following extensive engagement with the community and the council, marks a significant milestone for us and the team. This is exactly the kind of project we are passionate about—revitalising rundown urban centres and creating vibrant spaces where people want to live.”

 

TEAM

Client:  Bouygues UK (Development) / Barnet Council

Main Contractor: Bouygues UK

Landscape Architect: Arkwood

Planning Consultant: Iceni

Energy Consultant: Darren Evans

Structural Engineer: Parma Brook