2026 Update
Illustrative view of the approach from North Acton Station, including enhanced crossings
As you may be aware, planning permission was granted in 2024 for the One Portal Way masterplan following extensive consultation. The proposals will create a new green heart for North Acton, delivering new homes, public green space, workspace and local amenities on a brownfield site, including 384 student or co-living rooms and 1,325 residential homes for sale and rent including 35% affordable housing sitewide.
Since the original application was proposed, Imperial have identified an increased need for student accommodation. In response to this demand, we’ve updated our plans to provide more student accommodation, including at affordable rents.
By 2031/32, Imperial expect a need for up to 6,000 additional student beds in West London, making high-quality accommodation critical to attracting top talent and reinforcing London’s position as a global education hub.
We have identified a solution to make better use of two of the approved buildings to help us accommodate some of this need at One Portal Way.
Key updates to the One Portal Way masterplan
We are proposing to increase the amount of purpose-built student accommodation in the masterplan from 384 bedrooms to 1,926 bedrooms. 35% of these rooms will be provided at affordable rents as defined in the London Plan.
By doing this we can directly help to address this demand in a well-connected location, contribute to the creation of a vibrant, mixed-use community at the heart of North Acton and free up homes in the wider private rental market for local workers and families.
In order to do this, we’ve made some changes to Buildings E and F to accommodate the new student rooms. Crucially, Building E will retain the same height and appearance as previously approved, while Building F will be re-planned to make more efficient use of its floorplate and to allow for one additional storey with no increase to the building’s overall height in metres.
Improving activity and reducing car dominance on Portal Way (left: consented, right: proposed)
New public realm and building F (left: consented, right: proposed)
Landscaping and public uses on South Portal Way (left: consented, right: proposed)
Is this a new planning application?
Following public consultation, we have now submitted a Section 73 amendment application to OPDC to vary the existing permission to expand our student accommodation offer. A Section 73 application is used to amend planning applications, and this application route is widely used across London and the rest of the country.
The application is supported by plans and a set of assessments to demonstrate the change in effects of the application, to help the Local Planning Authority to ensure all relevant matters are considered.
Following OPDC’s statutory consultation period, the Section 73 application will then be heard and determined at planning committee.
Building E
In the consented masterplan, our plans included delivering 413 build-to-rent apartments in building E. We’re now proposing to provide 1,350 student accommodation rooms in Building E, without increasing the proposed building height and making only limited changes to the consented horizontal massing.
As this building is within the ‘outline’ permission, at this stage we’re seeking to agree the principle of the use of the building and the number of bedrooms. As per the current planning permission, the detailed design of this building will come forward under a ‘Reserved Matters Application’.
Illustrative view of building E as consented by OPDC in 2023 vs proposed.
While delivering student accommodation, the design of building E remains the same.
Building F
In the consented masterplan, our plans included 384 co-living or student accommodation rooms in building F. Given the urgent demand for student accommodation, we’re now updating our plans to allow for a new scenario in which building F can deliver 576 student accommodation rooms, the co-living scenario is retained as an alternative. At ground floor the café is retained alongside the co-working spaces to the ground and first floors.
To allow for this increase in the number of rooms we can deliver, we’ve made a small design change to building F by increasing the number of storeys from 19 to 20, while keeping the overall height and making very minor changes to the shape of the building. This means there will be no significant change to how the building looks.
Illustrative view of building F as consented by OPDC in 2023 vs proposed.
Scheme Benefits
Our proposed updates to the One Portal Way masterplan will allow the scheme to continue in creating a new green heart for North Acton that meets the diverse needs of existing and future communities. The uplift in student accommodation will directly address Imperial’s growing student demand and free up homes in the wider private rental market for local workers and families.
By integrating residential, employment, retail, community and student uses, the development will create a lively and sustainable neighbourhood throughout the day and evening. New public spaces will be welcoming and accessible, with strong connections to the surrounding area and public transport.
Key benefits of the updated masterplan include:
- 912 new homes for rent and sale in North Acton (provided at 35% affordable)
- 1,926 high quality student bedrooms in a well-connected location
- 40,594m² of dedicated town centre use
- 1.85 acres of new public realm
- New jobs, including c.650 during construction and c.1,300 permanent jobs upon completion.
- A maintained architectural quality, with no increase in building heights from the previously consented plans
Timeline
March 2024
Planning permission granted for the One Portal Way masterplan
October 2025
Planning permission granted for a new science and tech hub as a temporary use to activate the site while the masterplan is built
February 2026
Community update on updated proposals for buildings E and F
April 2026
Submission of the Section 73 Application to OPDC for the updated proposals
Mid-2026
Anticipated consideration of the application by the OPDC planning committee
Next steps
Thank you to those who have taken an interest in our updated plans to vary the existing permission to expand our student accommodation offer at One Portal Way. Following public consultation and submission, our Section 73 planning application has now been validated by OPDC, who will decide whether to grant approval for our updated proposals later in the year.