Assael gets the green light for Millbrook Park
Assael’s Reserved Matters Application for phases 7 and 8 of Millbrook Park in Barnet, north London, has been given the green light from the local council, receiving unanimous approval from the planning committee.
Working closely with developer Poly UK and engineers Buro Happold, our design redevelops the former Inglis Barracks site into 52 houses and 278 apartments in the last two phases of the wider masterplan development, which will provide around 2,000 homes in total.
Using the outline consent for the basis of our design, we reviewed the layout to create a development centred around a village green, with buildings rearranged to improve views through the site towards North London.
The scheme’s tiered levels respond to the steeply sloping site conditions (rising by about 15 metres from south to north) with taller buildings at the lowest point, and smaller buildings on the higher ground. The resulting design breaks down the mass of building forms on the site, maximises views through Millbrook Park, and enables a semi-sunken car park to the south.
Assael also altered the distribution of the buildings to improve the access through the site. A principal east-west route separates the two distinct character areas – the mews and townhouses and the ‘pavilions in the landscape’ – while the use of secondary routes and generous gardens create zones of personal spaces. This scheme layout complements the existing and future phases of Millbrook Park, with buildings and routes that respond to and connect with the masterplan.
The architectural design comprises bricks of varying colours and styles, creating simple buildings with contrasting vertical and horizontal and light and dark patterns, giving individual identities to the pavilions, the mews and the townhouses.
The houses all benefit from direct access to a private garden and plenty of amenity space, while both the apartments and houses have been designed with large open plan kitchens and living areas. Additionally, across the scheme, our design sought to provide only dual-aspect homes where possible to maximise natural light.
Working closely with Assael Exteriors, all of this is brought together by the village green, which aims to connect the wider community to the heart of the site, aided by the introduction of pedestrianised lanes and a reduced number of cars at street level due to the sunken car parks.
One committee member noted during the pre-vote discussions that “if the Mill Hill Preservation Society supports the design, then it must be very very good.”
Félicie Krikler, director at Assael Architecture, said:
“Millbrook Park is a new opportunity to create a residential development with both character and community. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Buro Happold engineers and Poly UK to bring the scheme to fruition, using a variety of original and new principles to enhance the natural assets of the site and create a village centre for a thriving neighbourhood at the heart of the masterplan.”
