The recent commitment of £6.5 million in funding for the West London Orbital (WLO) scheme is poised to unlock significant housing development sites and opportunity areas across London. With populations along its corridor projected to grow by 20 percent over the next 15 years, this transport-led growth initiative aims to address long-standing connectivity issues and spur economic prosperity.
What is the West London Orbital?
The West London Orbital is a proposed new railway line that would utilize existing freight-only tracks to become part of the London Overground network. Serving Brent, Barnet, Ealing, and Hounslow, the route would run from Hendon in the north to Hounslow in the south, passing through key areas including Brent Cross, Harlesden, Neasden, Old Oak Common, Acton, and Brentford.
According to Brent Council, the WLO is fundamentally a "transport-led growth scheme" designed to enable major developments "at scale." It would provide new stations on the Dudding Hill line and enhance facilities at existing stations, with up to six trains per hour. The line will also connect with HS2 at Old Oak Common, offering improved orbital connectivity that is currently lacking.
Transport for London (TfL) estimates that the scheme could support up to 29,000 homes, addressing a projected population increase of 82,000 people by 2041. Brent Council has emphasized that the WLO will provide the necessary transport capacity to unlock development sites currently constrained by poor connectivity, which limits housing density and delivery.
Transforming Neasden: A Catalyst for Change
One area set for transformation is Neasden, a part of Brent that Council Leader Cllr Muhammed Butt describes as having been "overlooked for too long." The WLO is expected to catalyze a wave of development, including town center improvements, thousands of new homes, and additional student accommodation.
Brent Council has been actively campaigning for funding from both the government and TfL, highlighting transport infrastructure as "the biggest driver of prosperity" in London and the difference between "opportunity and being left behind." Public consultation on the WLO is slated to begin this summer, with a final decision expected by the end of 2027. If approved, services could commence in the 2030s.
Key Developments in Brent
To strengthen the business case for the WLO, Brent Council is focusing on several key developments:
- Dudden Hill Development: First approved in December 2024, this project will transform the College of North West London site into 1,627 new homes, with 18.1 percent affordable housing. The development will include shops, a gym, a nursery, and improved public green spaces. It will be completed in two phases, featuring car-free design (except for Blue Badge parking) and proximity to a proposed WLO station at Neasden.
- Neasden Goods Yard Development: Property developers Hollybrook have resubmitted plans to redevelop this site near Neasden Underground Station. The proposal includes seven tower blocks with over 1,000 homes and more than 600 student rooms, alongside shops, restaurants, and a community center. The development will range from five to 45 storeys, making it the tallest residential project in the borough, with 161 affordable homes.
- Neasden Civic Partnership Programme (NCPP): This £10.5 million initiative aims to revitalize Neasden Town Center with an urban food court, a lighthouse pavilion, permanent street markets, pocket forests, and enhanced security. The program includes The Ritz, a multicultural food court and training kitchen, and The Lighthouse, a demountable structure designed as a community beacon.
Council Leader's Vision
Cllr Muhammed Butt emphasized the urgency of change in Neasden, noting that the area around a Jubilee line station minutes from Central London has seen little transformation compared to Wembley. He stated, "We have a real chance to fix the fundamentals in Neasden through the Civic Partnership, working with residents and businesses to create a better town center."
Butt added, "This corner of London has been overlooked for too long, and now we have the chance to put it on the map for good." The council is commissioning updated evidence on housing, jobs, and growth impacts to support the WLO business case, with ongoing community engagement through the Neasden Forum.
As Brent Council moves forward with these plans, the West London Orbital stands as a pivotal project for unlocking economic potential and addressing housing needs in an area poised for significant growth over the next decade.
