Arada London’s Great North Leisure Park regen approved

The Mayor of London has granted approval for property developer Arada, to transform Great North Leisure Park (GNLP), Finchley, into a mixed-use neighbourhood development.

The scheme will include 1,485 new homes across 20 buildings, of which 25 per cent will be “affordable”.

Additionally, Arada has plans to develop a “state-of-the-art” leisure centre, with a sports pavilion and more than 4,000 sq ft of new public realm.

Bosses hope the project will help address issues around housing targets in London – where around 88,000 new homes are currently required each year to meet demand – and claim the initiative will boost “social and economic benefits” in the area, through contributions to the Community Infrastructure Levy, local transport and cycling investments. 

Steve Harrington, planning director at Arada London, said GNLP would contribute to the capital’s housing needs in a “meaningful way”.

He added: “Having submitted our proposals for the site more than a year ago, in January 2025, and experienced unnecessary and costly delays, we are pleased to be progressing the scheme with the support of the Greater London Authority on one of the borough’s largest underused sites. 

“GNLP will make a tangible contribution to the local community, delivering amenities and new green spaces that will support the health and wellbeing of local residents and visitors.”