Old Oak & Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) has approved Downing’s application to build a 668-unit development in North Acton.
The planned 2,235 sqm development is set to replace an existing Holiday Inn Express that currently occupies the site next to North Acton Tube station. It forms part of the wider North Acton Town Centre Cluster masterplan that is seeking to provide a high-density neighbourhood town centre. Downing’s team has been developing the proposals alongside the local authority, which resulted in an updated submission in September 2024.
Downing has received detailed consent for the scheme that will see the redevelopment of the existing site into two towers comprising a 31-storey, 609-bed purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme, and a 17-storey, 59-unit build-to-rent (BTR) block. The project will include 35% affordable housing, with 255 sqm of commercial retail space and external amenity space. There will be no parking provision for residents, however.
The 31-storey student residential building will have anodised aluminium rainscreen cladding panels interspersed with clear glazing and glazing with a fritted pattern.
Located to the west of the site, the smaller BTR tower will have terracotta rainscreen cladding panels with secondary blue anodised aluminium vent panels with matching framed clear glazing window units.
Martin Fenlon, associate projects director at Downing, said: “Situated just outside of the city centre, North Acton is becoming a hotbed of regeneration. It’s vibrant community, unrivalled transport links and proximity to Imperial College London, the University of West London and the University of the Arts make it an ideal home for both UK-based and international students.
“The supply of high-quality student accommodation plays a critical role in supporting the local economy and ensuring that London’s leading educational institutions can retain the best UK-based and international talent. Approval from OPDC to create 668 new homes means we can play our part in supporting the North Acton Town Centre’s wider development plans and we look forward to starting on site.”
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