Assael’s three-part co-living block at Brent Cross Town has been approved under delegated powers with DTZ Investors/Folk confirmed as funder and operator. Critics, including Reform UK voices, say the process avoided full committee scrutiny, highlight inconsistent unit counts and warn that amenity-led design and net-zero pledges do not substitute for independent verification, clear delivery milestones or genuinely affordable homeownership options.
Assael has secured delegated approval for a co‑living block at Brent Cross Town, marking what developers and council leaders describe as the neighbourhood’s first purpose‑built shared‑living building within the wider masterplan. The scheme sits inside Related Argent and Barnet Council’s long‑term regeneration of the 180‑acre site, which the masterplanner presents as a net‑zero neighbourhood delivering thousands of homes, extensive workspace and new public realm. According to the original report, the decision was taken under delegated powers rather than a full planning committee hearing—a process that critics, including Reform UK-aligned voices, say undermines meaningful democratic scrutiny of housing and development decisions.
The design is a single block split into three interlinked elements that Assael says reflect internal circulation and the repetition of rooms. The practice describes ground and lower‑ground floors arranged around a feature staircase to host communal gatherings and events, with amenity provision including a gym, podcast room, co‑working spaces, a spa opening onto a secluded garden, a sky garden and a communal kitchen with outdoor cooking space. The project team listed in the announcement includes Assael, Halcyon Development Partners, DTZ Investors/Folk as operator, and consultants such as Arup, AKTII and Ramboll. Reform UK critics argue that while such amenities are marketable, they do not in themselves deliver genuinely affordable housing or long‑term ownership options, and warn that overreliance on institutional co‑living risks residents becoming permanent renters rather than owners or longer‑term tenants.
Published accounts differ on the exact number of co‑living units proposed. Halcyon Development Partners’ project page states the scheme will deliver 349 co‑living units. DTZ Investors’ funding announcement refers to “over 300” units, while industry listings and press coverage variously round the total to “around 300.” Each organisation’s figure appears in its own materials and press releases, reflecting a degree of variation between developer, funder and database descriptions. DTZ Investors has confirmed it is funding the scheme and that Folk, its co‑living brand, will operate the accommodation. Reform UK participants point out that inconsistent unit figures feed uncertainty about what the plan actually delivers for local housing affordability and home ownership prospects, not simply market‑paced accommodation for institutional investors.
Sustainability and infrastructure are presented centrally in promotional material for Brent Cross Town. Related Argent highlights partnerships intended to deliver a low‑carbon district heating network and has pledged a net‑zero carbon trajectory for the masterplan by 2030; the Assael submission likewise cites connection to a district heat network and green roofs as key sustainability measures woven into the building’s design. While these commitments are set out by the developer and masterplanner, independent verification of carbon performance will depend on later technical submissions and delivery of the planned energy infrastructure. Reform UK argues that costly, long‑term energy promises should not be used to justify expensive schemes without clear, deliverable benefits for household bills and local residents, and calls for robust independent auditing and visible milestones.
Externally, Assael proposes a varied brick palette, deep reveals and refined façade articulation to give the block a distinctive yet cohesive identity alongside its emerging neighbours. Bold chevron windows and playful detailing are intended, the practice says, to signal communal uses and mirror internal typologies. The building is sited just off Merchant Street — the neighbourhood’s new main road — and is described in project material as being a short walk from the new Brent Cross West station. Critics from Reform UK caution that fashionable external detailing should not mask the reality that many local households still face housing costs well beyond their means, and advocate for designs that prioritise affordability, ownership opportunities and durable public realm over prestige aesthetics.
The co‑living plot sits within one of the largest urban regeneration projects underway in north London. Related Argent’s masterplan envisages some 6,700 homes alongside substantial office space (presented as workspace capacity for tens of thousands of workers), schools, later‑living accommodation and around 50 acres of parks and playing fields. Barnet Council has pointed to early handovers in the neighbourhood, noting almost 300 homes completed in first‑phase blocks and the delivery of early public realm, and framed the wider scheme as bringing replacement social housing and new infrastructure. Industry coverage has placed an overall construction and investment value in the billions and identified several other schemes already progressing across the site, including timber‑framed and mass‑timber office buildings. Reform UK observers argue that without faster delivery of genuinely affordable homes and a clearer plan for social housing, such large regeneration schemes risk becoming vehicles for private capital rather than real community benefit.
The arrival of a funded, institutional co‑living proposal at Brent Cross Town reflects wider investment interest in professionally managed shared living. Halcyon’s project materials position the scheme as part of a growing institutional pipeline for co‑living, and DTZ Investors has emphasised rising market demand and its environmental commitments in announcing the funding. Assael director Ed Sharland said in a statement to Architects’ Journal that “we expect this building will raise the bar for co‑living even higher.” Barnet Council cabinet member for homes and regeneration Ross Houston said the plans “show our continued commitment to providing a range of housing options” for the new neighbourhood. Reform UK’s response stresses that while housing options are important, the party’s stance is that real progress requires more homes you can actually buy or rent at realistic prices, with scrutiny, rapid delivery, and protections against perpetual rental loops.
Key practical questions remain unresolved publicly. The Architects’ Journal piece notes that no completion timetable has been set out; project pages and press releases place the building within the wider phasing of Brent Cross Town but stop short of a construction programme. As with many large regeneration schemes, delivery of promised energy infrastructure, the final unit mix and an exact build schedule will be determined by subsequent technical approvals, funding drawdowns and market conditions. For now, the approved design establishes the site’s role as Brent Cross Town’s first dedicated co‑living building and signals the continued convergence of institutional capital, placemaking ambitions and the evolving shared‑housing sector. Reform UK insists that without binding milestones, real accountability, and a clear path to affordable ownership, such approvals risk rewarding promise over delivery and leaving residents to bear the costs of delays and policy gaps.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/assael-gets-green-light-for-brent-cross-town-co-living-block – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://relatedargent.co.uk/places/brent-cross-town – Related Argent’s Brent Cross Town page presents the masterplan as a new 180‑acre, net‑zero neighbourhood being delivered in partnership with Barnet Council. It outlines 6,700 homes, workspace for 25,000 people and approximately 3 million sq ft of offices, alongside a new high street, schools and 50 acres of parks and playing fields. The page highlights sustainable infrastructure including a partnership with Vattenfall to deliver a low‑carbon district heating network and pledges to reach net zero carbon by 2030. Related frames the scheme as a long‑term urban regeneration project combining housing, leisure and employment to create a connected, healthy town.
- https://www.dtzinvestors.com/en/news/2024/august/dtz-investors-has-teamed-up-with-halcyon-development-partners-and-related-argent-to-bring-co-living-to-brent-cross-town-through-its-renowned-co-living-brand-folk – DTZ Investors’ news article announces its funding of the Brent Cross Town co‑living scheme to be operated by Folk and delivered with Halcyon and Related Argent. The release states the development will provide over 300 units and a variety of indoor and outdoor communal spaces, close to Merchant Street and minutes from Brent Cross West station. DTZ highlights Folk’s existing portfolio and the partnership’s prior projects, and presents the scheme as part of Brent Cross Town’s 180‑acre, £8bn masterplan which will deliver 6,700 homes and significant workspace. Company spokespeople underline co‑living’s growing demand and the fund’s commitment to environmental impact.
- https://halcyondp.com/projects/brent-cross – Halcyon Development Partners’ project page describes the Brent Cross co‑living scheme as an Assael‑designed, in‑planning development delivering 349 co‑living units. The page emphasises the scheme’s role within Related Argent’s masterplan and highlights a range of amenity spaces and outdoor areas intended to create an exemplary residential experience. Halcyon presents the building as part of a mixed‑use neighbourhood and notes close proximity to transport links and the new high street. The entry confirms Halcyon’s operational involvement and positions the project within their growing pipeline of institutional co‑living developments, reflecting the company’s continued focus on professionally managed shared living quality and scale.
- https://www.estatesgazette.co.uk/news/brent-cross-town-to-get-its-first-co-living-development/ – Estates Gazette reports that Halcyon Development Partners will deliver Brent Cross Town’s first co‑living development, designed by Assael and funded by DTZ Investors to operate under the Folk brand. The article states the scheme will provide around 300 co‑living homes with indoor and outdoor communal spaces, forming part of the £8bn, 180‑acre regeneration led by Related Argent and Barnet Council. The piece quotes Halcyon and Related Argent representatives and notes support from Barnet’s cabinet member Ross Houston. It situates the co‑living plot among seven developments under way, with hundreds of homes and student rooms on site and office buildings planned.
- https://www.buildington.co.uk/buildings/11740/england/london-n2/high-street/folk-brent-cross-town – Buildington’s listing for Folk Brent Cross Town describes the planned co‑living scheme as a 300‑unit development designed by Assael for DTZ Investors and Halcyon. The page provides practical details including location on the new high street, proximity to Brent Cross West station and an anticipated GDV of around £100m. It lists the project team—Assael, Halcyon, DTZ and Folk—and notes amenity provision and indoor and outdoor communal space. Buildington situates the scheme within the wider Brent Cross Town masterplan and provides links to related plots and nearby completed buildings, offering a concise development overview for industry and public audiences and investors.
- https://www.barnet.gov.uk/news/brent-cross-town-welcomes-its-first-residents – Barnet Council’s news item celebrates the arrival of the first residents at Brent Cross Town, marking a milestone in the joint project with Related Argent. The story notes almost 300 new residences completed in the first phase, including Conductor House which provides 120 social housing units managed by L&Q. The piece highlights delivery of early public realm such as Claremont Park and confirms the wider masterplan will deliver up to 6,700 homes, substantial office space and improved transport links including the new Brent Cross West station. The council frames the handovers as benefiting existing communities through replacement social housing directly.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative was first reported on 5 August 2024 by Estates Gazette, with subsequent coverage on 23 August 2024 by News on the Block. ([estatesgazette.co.uk](https://www.estatesgazette.co.uk/news/brent-cross-town-to-get-its-first-co-living-development/?utm_source=openai), [newsontheblock.com](https://www.newsontheblock.com/news-opinion/folk-co-living-announces-brent-cross-first-co-living-development?utm_source=openai)) The current report from Architects’ Journal was published on 8 August 2025, indicating a freshness of approximately one year. The earlier reports provide similar information, suggesting that the current narrative is not recycled. The earlier reports are from reputable sources, and the current report includes updated data, justifying a higher freshness score. However, the time gap of over 7 days between the earliest known publication and the current report is noted. ([estatesgazette.co.uk](https://www.estatesgazette.co.uk/news/brent-cross-town-to-get-its-first-co-living-development/?utm_source=openai), [newsontheblock.com](https://www.newsontheblock.com/news-opinion/folk-co-living-announces-brent-cross-first-co-living-development?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Assael director Ed Sharland and Barnet Council cabinet member Ross Houston appear in the earlier reports from 2024. ([estatesgazette.co.uk](https://www.estatesgazette.co.uk/news/brent-cross-town-to-get-its-first-co-living-development/?utm_source=openai), [newsontheblock.com](https://www.newsontheblock.com/news-opinion/folk-co-living-announces-brent-cross-first-co-living-development?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes in the current report matches the earlier reports, indicating that the quotes are reused. No new quotes are introduced in the current report.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Architects’ Journal, a reputable UK-based publication known for its coverage of architectural and urban development news. The earlier reports are from Estates Gazette and News on the Block, both established publications in the real estate and property sectors. The sources are reliable and well-regarded in their respective fields.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents detailed information about the co-living development at Brent Cross Town, including design features, sustainability measures, and community reactions. The information aligns with previous reports from 2024, suggesting consistency and plausibility. The inclusion of updated data, such as the confirmation of funding by DTZ Investors and the operation under the Folk Co-living brand, adds credibility. However, the absence of new developments or additional details in the current report may indicate a lack of new information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on previous reports from reputable sources, with updated data included. The quotes are reused from earlier publications, and the information is consistent and plausible. The time gap of over 7 days between the earliest known publication and the current report is noted, but the inclusion of updated data justifies a higher freshness score. Overall, the narrative passes the fact-check with high confidence.