Brent Cross Town, the 180-acre, £8bn mixed-use town development by Related Argent and Barnet Council, has taken another significant step forward as Fusion Group, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned student accommodation developers and operators, secured planning permission for its second purpose-built student accommodation (“PBSA”) building in the neighbourhood.
The development, a joint venture with global alternative investment manager Cheyne Capital (“Cheyne”), will deliver 666 student rooms. Designed by architects PRP, it will include expansive study areas, a digital competitive gaming zone where residents can play virtual sports including football, padel and tennis, as well as a health kitchen that includes a zero-waste shop, private dining, yoga studio, herb garden and relaxation pods.
Students will benefit from a prime location near to the park town’s new high street, as well as close proximity to Brent Cross West station where regular trains provide direct access to Central London (King’s Cross St Pancras) in just 12 minutes.
Building on their longstanding partnership, planning permission comes as Fusion and Cheyne’s first PBSA development at Brent Cross Town, created through a similar collaboration with Related Argent in 2022, welcomes students for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
The first PBSA building has been designed to enhance the university experience through lifestyle amenities including a cinema room, KTV karaoke room, café, a zero-waste shop and e-sports arena, whilst supporting students’ studies with dedicated study space. It also addresses the demand for high-quality, purpose-built student housing in the area.
The PBSA at Brent Cross Town will be run by Fusion’s relaunched operating platform, which is part of the business’ long-term strategy to become a fully integrated developer, operator and investment manager specialising in the UK and European living sector.
Nigel Henry, CEO of Fusion Group, said “Our developments in Brent Cross Town and the neighbourhood as a whole are designed to enhance residents’ wellbeing and provide an exceptional community living experience – a reflection of the shared vision between Fusion, Cheyne and Related Argent. As we continue to grow our pipeline across the living sectors, particularly in progressive masterplanned regenerations, we’re eager to explore partnership opportunities and build upon those we already have.”
Oli Rifkind, Executive Director at Related Argent, said: “We are delighted to be advancing another student accommodation building at Brent Cross Town. This is a significant step forward, contributing to our vision of creating a vibrant and inclusive community that caters to diverse living needs. We recognise that providing high-quality student accommodation is essential to enriching our developments, and we continue to enjoy working with the Fusion team while exploring new collaborative opportunities in the future.”
Hamish Gordon, Director in Cheyne Capital’s Real Estate Group, said: “We continue to have strong conviction that the UK’s student housing market offers compelling investment opportunities and are confident that, with our partners Fusion and Related Argent, we can apply our sector expertise to deliver a premium development that will benefit students and enhance Brent Cross Town.”
Councillor Ross Houston, Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, said: “Our outstanding education offer across Barnet attracts many students to live and study in the borough and offering first-class accommodation is equally important. With the opening of our first Fusion homes, these students will contribute to the vibrancy of our mixed-use new neighbourhood, and I look forward to welcoming them here.”
From 2026, Sheffield Hallam University will also open its first London campus at Brent Cross Town, taking six floors at 3 Copper Square, the development’s flagship office building. In total Brent Cross Town – one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects – will boast 6,700 new homes, 3 million sq. ft. of office space, a high street with shops and restaurants, three redeveloped schools and 50 acres of parks and playing fields. The community is already taking shape following the completion of four residential buildings including market-sale, BTR and social housing, with 3,000 people expected to call this vibrant park town their home by the end of the year.
