Soundings has led consultation with the wider community surrounding Brent Cross South (BXS) since early 2016. The BXS project sits within a wider regeneration project, including a redeveloped shopping centre and a new train station, and will deliver 7,500 homes, office space, new parks and schools.

The BXS masterplan was inherited by Argent Related and had been subject to many years of consultation prior to their and Soundings’ involvement. This led to an initial ‘consultation fatigue’ amongst many local residents, ward councillors, local businesses and other key stakeholders. Soundings developed important relationships with said stakeholders which have remained positive throughout the various stages of reserved matters application submissions. Ongoing consultation and engagement events with the public ahead of design submissions, as well as focused meetings with key local stakeholders focusing on co-design of the public realm, community facilities and general identity.

The process so far has been hugely meaningful, and the majority of residents informed us that they felt they had been listened to and had impacted on the design process. This positive spirit has greatly helped wider buy-in and approval for the other first phase applications which include retail spaces and private residential development. The final summary of this stage of engagement was documented in an SCI and submitted in February 2019.