Contracts have been exchanged on plans by The Hill Group and Pinnacle Investments to deliver more than 1,900 new homes across two major developments in the Borough of Brent, northwest London.
The joint venture, Dollis Hill Wembley LLP, has completed the acquisition of sites in Wembley and Dollis Hill from United Colleges Group, marking a significant milestone in the progression of the projects.
The projects will transform the former college sites through a mixed-use development programme, delivering retail and community facilities and new green spaces alongside the homes. United Colleges Group will develop a new state-of-the-art campus on Olympic Way, Wembley.
These projects are being supported through Hill’s collaboration with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Sovereign Network Group (SNG), with the GLA providing grant funding for the affordable homes through its Homes for Londoners Fund. As part of the proposals, SNG will deliver 154 social rent homes across the developments, helping to meet local social housing needs.
Together, the Wembley and Dollis Hill projects will deliver 1,934 new homes, equivalent to 84% of Brent’s annual housing requirement under the London Plan. Work on the first phase of the project is expected to begin in spring 2026.
The Wembley development sits in a prominent position at the start of Olympic Way, which leads up to the Stadium. It will replace the former College of Northwest London campus building and will comprise an 18-storey and 30-storey linked tower. The project will provide 307 apartments in a range of sizes, including 85 homes for social rent, all designed with a balcony or terrace. The plans also include commercial and retail space on the ground floor as well as a concierge and secure cycle storage.
At the former college campus on Dudden Hill Lane in Dollis Hill, the project will deliver up to 1,627 new homes across a series of buildings ranging from four to 28 storeys, forming a new neighbourhood that includes a wide mix of tenure types. The first phase will comprise a mix of Build-to-Rent and social rent homes, along with properties for private sale, including new retail and commercial facilities and will bring forward substantial community and environmental benefits. A new public park will sit at the heart of the development, supported by extensive green infrastructure, including podium gardens, private courtyards, and more than 1.3 hectares of landscaped space. Two existing public parks will be transformed with new playground facilities, improved safety and security measures, and enhanced access. The site will also accommodate a new community centre, a nursery, a gym, local shops, cafés and co-working spaces. Designed as a car-free neighbourhood, the development will include new footpaths, cycleways, and secure cycle storage, with a car club available for residents.
Andy Hill OBE, founder and group chief executive of The Hill Group, said: “At a time when housebuilding has substantially stalled in London, we are working tirelessly with our partners to bring forward new developments, such as these two sites in Wembley and Dollis Hill. This significant milestone reaffirms our belief in London as a world-leading city in which to live and work and reflects the strength of our collaboration with Pinnacle and United Colleges Group. Together, we are unlocking the potential of these sites to deliver much-needed homes in the capital, while transforming the area to develop new and enhanced public realm and provide essential community amenities that enable sustainable and thriving new neighbourhoods.”
Christopher Turnbull, managing director at Pinnacle Investments, commented: “Exchanging contracts marks an important step for our joint venture with Hill and reinforces our commitment to investing in high-quality housing of all tenures where it is most needed. These developments will create vibrant, sustainable communities and play a key role in meeting Brent’s housing needs, while also enabling vital investment in education and skills through the delivery of United Colleges Group’s new campus.”
Stephen Davis, CEO & group principal of United Colleges Group, said: “Today is a significant milestone for the college and for Wembley. This new campus on Olympic Way will place students at the heart of one of London’s most iconic locations, providing modern facilities to support future skills in areas including construction, digital and green technologies, as well as a hospitality academy, in line with local and national priorities. It also ensures that our 130-year legacy in Brent continues for generations to come, transforming a disused building into a place of opportunity and ambition for London and Londoners.”
