Signs of Life for Stalled Watermans Replacement Project

Agreement set to be made with affordable housing provider

The Half Acre development was hit by withdrawal of previous housing provider. Picture: LGL

May 2, 2025

The stalled project to build a new arts centre to replace the Watermans may be getting back on track.

Since the affordable housing provider Peabody withdrew towards the end of last year, no progress has been made as the development at the former police station site at Half Acre cannot proceed without the residential part of the scheme.

The council has now confirmed that a report will be presented to the cabinet meeting on 13 May which will seek approval to enter into a Collaboration Agreement with developers Topland Group, to progress the next phase of the redevelopment.

This has been made possible by the Council and Topland reaching a provisional agreement with another housing provider to deliver the affordable flats. This remains subject to an updated design achieving full planning consent and complying with new building regulations. These will reduce the usable space in the scheme by 20% from the original designs.

The report also sets out a new approach to select an operator for the arts and culture centre, via an open tender with the aiming of finding an organisation that can be financially independent. Further details on this process will be announced in the coming months.

The redevelopment project, which spans three sites along Brentford’s High Street and Riverside, also includes public realm improvements which include improving the river frontage and walk at the Albany site.

Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, said, “The redevelopment of Brentford Town Centre is a priority for this Council. We are delivering not only much-needed affordable homes but also a new arts and culture centre that will be a source of pride for our borough. This project is at the heart of delivering a healthier, thriving, safer, liveable and a fairer, more equal Hounslow.

“What must be recognised is that getting any regeneration or housing project off the ground in the current climate has been and is a mammoth task. Across the country, development, housing, and the arts sectors are facing unprecedented pressures. That Hounslow is still making real progress speaks to our commitment, the strength of our partnerships, and the boldness of our vision. There is still work to do, and challenges remain — but this is a long-term investment in Brentford’s future.

“By investing in homes, culture, and community spaces, we are helping to build a vibrant, inclusive future for Brentford and for the whole borough. We owe it to our residents to secure the best possible outcomes, and this next phase marks an important milestone in that journey.”

Cllr Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, added, “After a decade in planning - and, we have to accept, a perfect storm of crises - I am overjoyed to see the final pieces of the puzzle coming together that will allow us to build Brentford's new arts and culture centre.

"And I want it to be a world-class arts and culture centre. One that serves our residents, and also brings people in from far and wide, from across London and beyond to see the very best acts.

"That is why we are launching an open process to find the right operator – one that shares our aims, will deliver a broad and ambitious programme, and demonstrates it can be financially sustainable. We hope to see strong proposals and are committed to an open and transparent process that delivers a vibrant cultural future for communities across Brentford and the wider borough.”

The original Watermans Arts Centre on the High Street closed in April 2024, primarily due to financial pressures. These included increased utility bills, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the broader cost-of-living crisis. These factors made it financially unviable to continue operations at the existing site.

The original planning permission for the new site was due to expire in April 2024 but a Lawful Development Certificate to prevent the original planning permission from lapsing. An updated planning application is planned for later this year.