Barnet Council approves landmark rental housing scheme at Bunns Lane, Mill Hill

Barnet Council has granted planning permission for a major new residential development at Bunns Lane, Mill Hill, delivering 130 Build to Rent homes, fifty percent of which will be affordable.

The homes, which will be owned and managed by the Council, will be built on a council-owned car park next to Mill Hill Broadway station.

The development will include public spaces, a sustainable design* and will also provide some parking for visitors to the town centre and for access to the station.

This marks the first time the Council has partnered with an institutional investor of Aviva’s scale to fund local development. Aviva Capital Partners will be working alongside property development company, Stories.

Cllr Ross Houston, Barnet Council’s Deputy Leader Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, said: “This development is a great example of how we can use council land to directly benefit residents, providing much-needed, high-quality homes for local people, with half offered at affordable rent.

“Whether through new council homes, regeneration projects, or partnerships like this one, we’re focused on creating homes in the borough that meet the needs of residents and help strengthen our communities.”

Richard Meier, CEO of Stories, said: “Bunns Lane is more than a housing development – it’s a model for what public-private collaboration can achieve when values and long-term outcomes lead the brief. We’re proud to work with Aviva Capital Partners and Barnet Council to set a new bar for what equitable development in London can look like.”

Sophie White, Sector Head Regeneration at Aviva Capital Partners, said: “This project demonstrates how institutional capital can support the delivery of better places – not just homes, but thriving, sustainable communities. We’re delighted that Barnet Council has backed this vision, which will unlock long-term benefits for residents and the local economy.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion targeted for 2028.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

*The development is to be Net Zero in operation:

• The proposal has been designed to Passivhaus principles to reduce energy demand prior to the implementation of low and zero carbon technologies. Beyond the fabric performance alone, solar panels are proposed on all available and unshaded roofspace, and the development will be served by highly efficient Exhaust Air Heat Pumps (EAHPs), providing all heating and hot water to apartments, with electric panel heaters acting as backup only, and with waste water heat recovery further being specified to the largest apartments to ensure a low carbon hot water supply even at times of high localised demand.
• The proposed development is expected to reduce on-site regulated carbon emissions by 80.3% with SAP10.2 emission factors.
• The design proposals will realise at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity.
• There will be a net uplift of 39 trees
• Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDs) is being introduced within the Proposed Development in the form of green roofs, permeable paving and an attenuation tank.
• Sources are available on Barnet council's website within the Bunns Lane planning application materials.

About the partners

Stories is a purpose-led property development company committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for people. Founded by a team of experienced urbanists and developers, Stories specialises in working with public, charitable and mission-driven landowners to unlock complex sites for long-term social value. The company is known for its commitment to pioneering purpose-led approaches to development including innovative use of relational contracts, transparent financial modelling, and design-led, community-first approaches.

Aviva Capital Partners (ACP) is Aviva’s in-house capital unit that invests Aviva’s capital to open up new opportunities for UK growth: helping develop thriving, sustainable communities, while generating long-term returns for our customers. ACP invests in urban regeneration projects, housing projects and sustainable infrastructure projects. It invests in the early stages of projects, creating options for ongoing investment by the wider Aviva business.

For more details on ACP, visit Aviva Capital Partners.

A partnership for public value

Stories and Aviva Capital Partners have formed a long-term strategic partnership to address one of the greatest challenges of our time: how to deliver equitable and sustainable development at scale. Their collaboration combines institutional financial strength and commitment to stewardship from Aviva, with Stories’ deep expertise in design, planning, community engagement, and public sector partnership.

Together, they are working with local authorities, NHS trusts, universities and other public landowners to unlock land and deliver housing-led regeneration projects where outcomes are defined by public value, not short-term profit.

The Bunns Lane development is the first in a growing pipeline of projects that demonstrate how development can be done differently - with trust, transparency and long-term impact at the core.

Media contacts:

Aviva Capital Partners

Claire Jermany Grange 07385 148681

Stories

Zoe Turvey Zt@stories.partners / 07899 442693

LB Barnet

Robbie Hurley 020 8359 4570