The vision for 980 Great West Road is to create a connected, inclusive and ecologically rich neighbourhood that reuses existing structures, opens the previously gated site up for public access to the River Brent and Boston Manor Park, and brings this central part of the M4 corridor back into use for existing and new residents alike. Shaped by extensive community engagement and co-design, the masterplan reflects a collective ambition to deliver a resilient, sustainable and people-centred new quarter.

For this hybrid planning application, Haworth Tompkins has led the outline masterplan design and collaborated on the detailed plots of the early development phases with dRMM, Metropolitan Workshop and Studio Egret West to deliver a coordinated vision, rich in architectural expression. Studio Egret West are also responsible for the landscape and public realm design.

Together, based on the principles of reuse, reconnect and regrow, the team has collectively developed designs which reuse the existing buildings and materials to reduce embodied carbon, reconnecting the site to its surrounding neighbourhoods, and regenerating its ecological landscape.

All our designs are underpinned by the shared ambition to deliver an exemplar development focussing on adaptive re-use and excellent environmental performance. Following a thorough embodied carbon analysis, we were able to make informed decisions on which building parts to retain by carefully balancing the development and placemaking opportunities while maximising the embodied carbon savings.

Our proposed strategy sees the entire substructure and basement area retained and reused as a shared logistics and servicing hub for the wider masterplan and also the retention of the core zone of the high-rise tower for residential retrofit. Our detailed estimates show a 50 percent saving in embodied carbon, which equates to approximately 34,500 tonnes of carbon avoided compared to a full redevelopment. A new energy centre designed by Haworth Tompkins, constructed from reclaimed and upcycled materials on site, reinforces the project’s circular design ethos.

High-quality public realm and biodiverse landscapes are a key part of the masterplan proposals creating a rich variety of different character areas and amenity spaces for visitors, existing neighbours and residents. More than 60 per cent of the site will be publicly accessible, including 6,000 sqm of designated play areas, gardens and riverside paths. The landscape, designed by Studio Egret West, re-establishes links between the River Brent, Boston Manor Park and Brentford High Street, creating a continuous green network for people and wildlife. Reused and upcycled materials feature throughout, forming seating, play structures and surfaces that bring texture and memory to the new setting.

Distinct character areas will provide a varied experience, from the lively urban “Underside” space beneath the M4, designed to host enterprise and cultural events, to the calmer riverside edge that supports biodiversity and relaxation.

Haworth Tompkins, dRMM, Metropolitan Workshop and Studio Egret West all developed detailed designs for a variety of new, mixed-use residential buildings in the early phases of the masterplan. This includes 35% affordable homes, BtR, market sale, PBSA and co-living ensuring a diverse demographic of future residents. Following HT’s strategic vision, Studio Egret West further developed the detail design of the retained tower structure, which will be adapted to provide high-quality homes with large private balconies, communal terraces, generous amenity spaces and a rooftop conservatory with views across the city.

Community engagement has been central to the evolution of the masterplan. A comprehensive consultation and co-design process has shaped everything from the mix of homes to the design of the public realm, ensuring that the emerging neighbourhood reflects local priorities and has strong community involvement from the outset.

Design quality is expressed through careful attention to scale, proportion and the relationship between architecture and landscape. The buildings are positioned to maximise daylight, ventilation and views, with over 85 percent of homes designed to be dual aspect. Advanced environmental modelling has informed the massing and orientation of blocks to balance density with comfort and amenity. The result is a coherent ensemble of varied building forms that create a sense of place while responding sensitively to their surroundings.

The regeneration of 980 Great West Road represents a £1 billion investment in the future of Brentford. Beyond delivering much-needed homes and employment, it demonstrates how circular design principles can be applied at scale to achieve meaningful environmental, social and economic value, setting a precedent for large-scale, sustainable urban regeneration.