The Tileworks,

Glacier Way

Thank you for coming to our website for the emerging proposals to redevelop the Sainsbury’s car park, which is the land to the north of Glacier Way. Sainsbury’s has partnered with Barratt London to bring forward plans to transform this underused surface car park to deliver much-needed new homes.

Since our first consultation events in March 2026, the proposals have been positively refined in response to feedback from the local community, alongside ongoing design development. We are now pleased to share this next stage of the emerging proposals and invite further feedback to help shape the plans.

The current proposals are expected to deliver approximately 691 new homes, including affordable housing, alongside new public open spaces, improved landscaping, and environmental enhancements. These elements aim to make better use of the site and improve its relationship with the surrounding area.

This website provides an opportunity to view the updated proposals in detail, understand how the design has evolved since the first consultation, and leave your feedback for the project team.

The current proposals are expected to deliver:

691 NEW HOMES

NEW GREEN AND PUBLIC SPACES

SAINSBURY’S STORE RETAINED

209 CUSTOMER PARKING SPACES

1,100M² COMMERCIAL AND WORKSPACES

YOUR FEEDBACK, OUR RESPONSE

Keep the Sainsbury's store open during construction

The existing Sainsbury’s store will remain open throughout the process, ensuring minimal disruption to a valued local amenity.

Maintain access to parking during construction

We will continue to provide some customer parking for the existing Sainsbury’s store throughout construction. A phased approach to delivery will ensure parking remains available, while helping to minimise disruption for customers wherever possible.

Improve access into the site

Access to the site will be improved through a new junction arrangement at Northwick Road and Glacier Way. The proposals will simplify vehicle movements, provide direct access to the retained Sainsbury’s store and its customer parking, and create a clearer and more intuitive route into and through the site.

Support local businesses and enterprise

Affordable maker spaces and ﬂexible commercial units will support local creatives, entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Create welcoming and safe public spaces

New streets and public spaces have been designed with active frontages, clear routes, high-quality lighting and natural surveillance.

Create a greener and more sustainable neighbourhood

New trees, biodiversity enhancements,
Passivhaus-targeted homes and low-carbon technologies are embedded throughout the proposals.

SITE CONTEXT

PLANNING CONTEXT

The site is allocated for mixed-use redevelopment within Brent’s Local Plan, and is within:

The Alperton Growth Area
Alperton Tall Building Zone
The Ealing Road and Alperton Creative Enterprise Zone
Alperton Housing Zone

EXISTING SITE AND PROPOSED CHANGES

The site comprises the open-air surface level car park and associated facilities that serve the Sainsbury’s store. As part of these proposals, the supermarket building and its operation will remain unchanged, ensuring customers can continue to shop as normal. Our proposals have sought to explore how the existing car park to the east of the store, currently an inefficient open-aired surface-level space, could be redesigned to make better use of the site.

Importantly, the proposals will retain 209 parking spaces for Sainsbury’s customers while creating the opportunity to deliver new homes, community spaces and wider benefits for Alperton. The proposals also include the removal of the existing petrol filling station, which is required to accommodate the new development and enable the delivery of the homes, public realm improvements and community benefits proposed for the site.

The Sainsbury’s store will continue to serve as a key anchor for the area, supported by a more efficient and welcoming environment for customers and the local community.

SAINSBURY’S & PARKING

SAINSBURY’S HERE TO STAY

Sainsbury’s store remains open and fully operational throughout the works
209 customer parking spaces are retained for Sainsbury’s customers
Existing surface car park is being reconfigured and upgraded to improve layout, safety and usability
Continued provision of 2 hours free customer parking
Improved layout enhances circulation, safety and ease of use
Dedicated Click & Collect facility introduced to improve customer convenience

ACCESS & CONVENIENCE

209

customer parking spaces retained

12

accessible parking spaces

12

EV charging points

PHASING AND OPERATION

Works will be carefully managed and sequenced to:

Maintain safe customer access at all times
Minimise disruption to deliveries and servicing
Ensure the store continues trading throughout the works

ACCESS AND MOVEMENT

Noting existing constraints in and around the site, the proposals seek to improve and simplify access arrangements by:

Relocating the existing Northwick Road junction with Glacier Way
Consolidating all Sainsbury’s vehicle access via Northwick Road
Providing both entry and exit movements via the realigned Northwick Road to the retained Sainsbury’s car park
Replacing the existing one-way access arrangement to improve clarity, legibility and ease of use

IMPROVED PARKING LAYOUT

The reconfigured car park is designed to ensure parking is:

Clearly organised and easy to navigate
Directly connected to store access routes
Safer and more efficient for all users

Access is prioritised for supermarket customers and Blue Badge / accessible users (dedicated provision retained within the scheme). The new layout enables more efficient use of space.

THE TILEWORKS VISION

1900

THE SITE WAS ORIGINALLY HOME TO A TILE WORKS

CANAL-LED INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

The Grand Junction Canal, built in the early 19th century, established Alperton as a centre for trade. It supported the growth of industrial activity, including construction materials and manufacturing, with the site originally home to tile works.

1950

DEVELOPMENT IS CHARACTERISED BY FACING INDUSTRIAL AND RETAIL USES

20TH CENTURY INDUSTRY AND RETAIL

The railway and later the North Circular Road reinforced Alperton’s role as an industrial area. Between 1921 and 1951, the population grew from 2,468 to 14,451, alongside the expansion of factories, light industrial estates and supporting infrastructure. This period shaped the area’s urban form, characterised by locally focused industrial and retail uses.

CELEBRATING ALPERTON’S TILE WORKS HERITAGE

Tileworks marks a new chapter for Alperton, a dynamic, industry-led neighbourhood where creativity, enterprise, and cultural identity can flourish. As Alperton enters a new phase in its development and growth, the area’s focus will shift from large-format industrial uses to a more diverse ecosystem of small-scale production, creative industries, and local businesses.

Rooted in Alperton’s rich heritage of making and industry, and anchored by Sainsbury’s, new homes, and green spaces, Tileworks will champion visible production and everyday creativity. Supporting the ambitions of the Creative Enterprise Zone, it will provide affordable workspace for artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs, fostering a sustainable and inclusive local economy.

1970

CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL IDENTITY

From the 1970s onwards, inward migration, particularly from South Asia, reshaped the local economy. Ealing Road emerged as a key high street, with a concentration of independent retail serving local residents. This has established a strong, culturally distinctive commercial offer rooted in small, family-run businesses.

TODAY

LOOKING AT THE CURRENT SITE TODAY

Alperton is in a designated Creative Enterprise Zone and the site sits within a highly active corridor of retail, industry and new residential development. There is no defined centre south of the canal, and while the canal is a major asset, it is currently poorly integrated into everyday use. This presents an opportunity to create a new urban environment anchored by Sainsbury’s, forming a place to live, work, shop and play.

WHAT THE TILEWORKS WILL DELIVER

The proposals will deliver a vibrant new neighbourhood for Alperton, creating much-needed homes, supporting local enterprise, enhancing public spaces, and delivering long-term environmental benefits for existing and future residents.

A VIBRANT NEIGHBOURHOOD

New neighbourhood centre anchored by Sainsbury’s store, with customer parking
New streets, squares and public spaces

NEW HOMES

691

new homes

20%

affordable homes

65%

of social rented homes delivered as family-sized housing

SUSTAINABLE, HIGH-QUALITY DESIGN

Passivhaus-led approach to reduce energy use and lower bills
Incorporation of low-carbon technologies
High-quality homes designed for comfort and long-term sustainability

GREENER, HEALTHIER PLACES

180+

new trees planted

1,500m²+ of new public realm

Improved lighting throughout, with links to the Grand Union Canal

A THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY

New jobs supported
New commercial space for shops, services and local businesses
New affordable maker spaces for creatives and SMEs, supporting Alperton’s Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ)

SAINSBURY’S ACCESS & IMPROVEMENTS

209

customer parking spaces retained

12

accessible parking spaces

12

new EV charging points

NEW HOMES

691

new homes across a diverse mixed-tenure community

114

affordable homes

17%

three-bedroom homes

TENURE-BLIND DESIGN

ensuring all homes share the same high standards of architecture, landscape and amenity

~65%

of social rented homes are family-sized three-bedroom homes

RESIDENTIAL PODIUM GARDENS

RESIDENT BENEFITS

A residential podium garden
Over 1700m² of resident’s play space
Over 1250m² of resident play space for ages 0-4
Over 1500m² of new public realm
Private balconies, terraces and communal gardens
Extensive urban greening, tree planting and biodiversity enhancements
21 accessible parking spaces
Secure cycle parking and sustainable travel facilities
High-quality, energy-efficient homes designed for modern living

A NEW URBAN QUARTER FOR ALPERTON

A VIBRANT NEW DESTINATION THAT DELIVERS LASTING BENEFITS FOR EXISTING AND FUTURE RESIDENTS.

FOUNDRY YARD

Opportunity for a food and beverage destination and flexible micro-incubator retail spaces.

UNION SQUARE

Additional food and beverage unit opportunity activating the corner of Tilers Walk and Union Square opposite Sainsbury’s.

GLACIER PLACE

Two flexible commercial units on each corner, with leisure or retail uses.

TILERS WALK

Maker spaces and retail incubator spaces designed for use by small and start-up local businesses.

CREATING

A network of new public spaces including Union Square, Foundry Yard
Glacier Place and Tilers Walk
New pedestrian routes and connections through the site
Active ground-floor uses that bring life and activity to the streets
Commercial and enterprise space supporting local businesses and jobs
A greener, more attractive and welcoming neighbourhood

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

New places to meet, relax and spend time
Safer and more active streets throughout the day and evening
Improved walking and cycling connections
Increased access to green infrastructure and public realm
New employment and business opportunities
A distinctive new neighbourhood that strengthens Alperton’s identity

PUBLIC REALM & CHARACTER AREAS

Tileworks is split into six different character areas, each with its own mix of businesses, activities and spaces that contribute to the area’s commercial and cultural identity.

A JOURNEY THROUGH TILEWORKS

Foundry Yard

Primary arrival point
Potential for markets and small-scale community events
Encouraging dwell, socialisation and relaxation

Tilers Walk

Maker space and retail incubator spaces, designed for small and start-up local businesses
Capitalising the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ)
Creative and cultural community

Union Square

Anchored by the Sainsbury’s store
Opportunity for additional restaurant or café space at the corner

Union Path

Canal connection
Gateway opportunity

Glacier Way

A high street alternative
Retail spaces for local people
Southern corridor

Glacier Place

Southeastern arrival
A quieter green enclave
Opportunity for commercial units

MAKERSPACE & COMMERCIAL OFFERING

A vibrant mix of shops, cafés, workspaces and makerspaces will create a lively destination at the heart of Tileworks.

Flexible commercial spaces will support local businesses, independent operators and creative enterprises, while new makerspaces and studios provide opportunities for artists, designers and start-up businesses to grow and thrive.

CREATING A PLACE TO WORK, CREATE & CONNECT

A diverse mix of commercial and makerspace uses will support local enterprise, bring activity to the neighbourhood and help establish Tileworks as a distinctive destination.

Intended Occupiers

Retail, Food and Beverage Independent operators, cafés, restaurants and local businesses.

Maker and Studio Space
Artists, designers, fabricators, crafts people and creative SMEs.

Flexible Workspace
Start-ups, incubator businesses and growing companies.

THE EMERGING ARCHITECTURE

The architecture for Tileworks takes inspiration from Alperton’s industrial heritage, creating a distinctive new identity that reﬂects both the area’s history and its future.

The scheme will be defined by a family of buildings ranging from 11 to 29 storeys, brought together through a consistent architectural approach and high-quality material palette. Carefully considered forms, proportions and detailing will create a distinctive character while helping to define attractive streets and public spaces.

The Sainsbury’s store will continue to serve as a key anchor for the area, supported by a more efficient and welcoming environment for customers and the local community.

MEET THE TEAM

Sainsbury’s and Barratt London partnership, Nine Elms

Sainsbury’s is the second largest grocer in the UK, with 600 supermarkets and more than 850 convenience stores and over 140,000 colleagues. We are proud to be part of our communities up and down the country. Alongside our food business, we are one of the biggest general merchandise and clothing retailers through our family of brands. We have built market-leading retail media capabilities through our Nectar360 business, powered by our world leading Nectar loyalty platform and coalition of partner brands.

Barratt London in Brent, Wembley Park Gardens

With over 40 years’ experience in the capital, Barratt London is one of the city’s leading homebuilders, delivering around 2,000 new homes every year. We’re proud to be the only major national housebuilder to achieve the Home Builders Federation’s top 5-Star rating every year since 2010, with more than 95% of customers recommending us. We work closely with local authorities and major landowners to deliver high-quality, affordable and energy-efficient homes across London. We continue to innovate, including our industry-leading Lo-E homes, built to Passivhaus standards to cut heating bills by around 60% and reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%. Our purpose is simple: to make sustainable living a reality and create resilient communities across the capital.

Sainsbury’s and Barratt London have a strong, successful track record of working together to deliver high-quality mixed-use developments.

The Alperton scheme marks the third collaboration between our organisations, building on previous partnerships that have created over 1,000 new homes across the capital – including landmark regeneration projects such as Nine Elms. Together, we continue to transform sites into thriving, sustainable communities.

OUR TEAM

A wider consultant team is supporting the emerging proposals for Tileworks, Glacier Way, bringing together a range of expertise in architecture, landscape, planning, engineering and placemaking design.