by HOWARD ROBIN DEVELOPERS AND HOME OWNERS ARE INVESTING IN NORTH LONDON IS IT the lights in the tower cranes winking in the night-time sky? The bars, bistros and baristas competing with the chicken shops, charity stores and bookmakers for the local pound? Or simply the multi-millions in bricks and mortar investment being pumped in by developers? Whatever the visible signs that an area has that coveted quality of ‘potential’, few would currently bet against the prospects of Brent Cross, Cricklewood and Wembley in north London. These hitherto unfashionable swathes on either side of the North Circular are undergoing the sort of rapid transformations possibly not seen since London’s post-war reconstruction. Work to dramatically transform Brent Cross Shopping Centre and the surrounding area is due to start this year, following the government’s approval of two compulsory purchase orders. According to Barnet Council, the regeneration will create a sustainable new town centre for north London, bring more than 7,500 new homes, substantial commercial and retail space and improved transport links over 151 hectares. Plans for the historic shopping centre include 60 restaurants and 200 new stores, turning it into a retail and leisure complex to rival Westfield. Meanwhile, the regeneration of Wembley, part of the London borough of Brent, is one of the largest projects of its kind in the country. According to the mayor of London, the area can accommodate as many as 11,500 new homes and 10,000 new jobs through the development of sites along Wembley High Road and the land around Wembley Stadium. Together these northwest London schemes are expected to provide a major boost to prosperity in surrounding areas, as well as opportunities for buyers, renters and investors. According to property experts, there are many factors to consider when entering any sector of the market. However, one…
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