Gascoigne Gazette June 2021

GGTheaaszceottiegne SPRING 2021 | EDITION 5 A new park rises from the old Gascoigne Welcome to The Gascoigne Gazette Members of the Gascoigne Resident’s Forum – a regular newsletter for residents get stuck in to make a new pop-up park. living in and around the Gascoigne area To find out more about the new Phoenix Park of Barking. We aim to keep you updated, and the grass roots project behind it, entertained and informed about our plans see page 3. to build a better Gascoigne. brought to Inside this newsletter you will find: you by 3 Latest news about developments in and around yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne | 1 the neighbourhood including plans for the latest phases 3 What’s happening and where 3 How you can get involved GASCOIGNE GAZETTE NEWSLETTER #5

Estate updates Construction information and meet the team! Councillors’ column The Team Our future for Gascoigne Be First Regeneration Team Well, it’s been a long winter for all of Be First is a pioneering, independent regeneration us and with summer finally here let’s organisation, wholly-owned by Barking and hope we all get a bit more sunshine after Dagenham Council. Be First is managing the too many gloomy covid-ridden months. redevelopment of the estate and has employed architects to draw up plans for the new homes, There’s plenty to look forward to in the public spaces and facilities. redevelopment of the Gascoigne. We’re very pleased to see building work gathering My Place pace and also the new pop-up pocket park. And, we’re really happy to see both My Place is the council’s housing management contractors engaging with local schools service. They are your go-to team for all your needs and young people. as a resident. The making of the new Gascoigne is not If you have issues with your home such as repairs about bricks and mortar – it’s about or anti-social behaviour, contact your Landlord winning hearts and minds and creating Services Co-ordinators, Christopher Loney on a great community for all. 020 8227 3077, mobile 07812 999523, or email [email protected], or Manelva Email your councillors for more information; Honeygan-Green on 020 8724 5857, or email [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] [email protected]. Reside Meet Aaron If you are a resident in one of the Reside Weavers Willmott Dixon’s Senior Operations Quarter blocks your management contacts are Manager, Aaron Pearson, is overseeing all detailed on the notice boards in the lobby of the rebuilding of over 500 new homes your block. on Phase 2 of the Gascoigne Estate (see map). Meet Sean Aaron said: “Building work is really moving along well. Sean Cushing is the Project The 52 homes in Arbour Court, are rapidly beginning to take Manager for Wates Residential shape with a lot of the internal works underway, including at Gascoigne West. heating and lighting systems being installed. We hope to have this block completed by December. Sean said: “Everything on this part of the site remains on track to be completed in early 2022, “We’ve also started preparation works for another 159 and the landscaping outside Abbey Road will start homes in Fleming Court, Shuckford Court, Leleu Court and in June. We are working on connecting the water, Mather Court. And work is also under way at Cutter Court, electrics and heating together with internal works Fifeshire Court, Forge Court and Whennel Court which will like the flooring and woodwork. Wates has also provide 215 new homes along with seven commercial now started work at Linsdell Road and Hardwicke spaces.” Street, with the hoarding established, asbestos removed and three out of the five blocks demolished. You can see time-lapse footage of Willmott Dixon’s work at: Meanwhile the new Phoenix Park on Abbey Road yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne/widgets/10530/videos/950 is complete and local residents are assisting with the finishing touches and planting ready for the If you have any queries for Aaron please call 07967 792418 opening ceremony at the end of June.” or email [email protected] To contact Sean call 07770 480981 or email GASCOIGNE GAZETTE NEWSLETTER #5 [email protected] yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne | 2

Big steps forward Updates from Be First Pocket park Local people will be able to enjoy a The park includes a natural play area, pops up new pocket park along Abbey Road a gym corner, seating and stage area this summer. for space to relax in, a garden area, a Adding the finishing touches to large feasting table and a growing plot. the pocket park. Pheonix Park, which has been built on vacant land, was co-designed with Co-creating Phoenix Park the Gascoigne Residents Forum as a - online panel talk vibrant facility for the local community Wednesday 9 June, 6pm to 7.30pm for approximately 5 years. Join a panel made up of residents, Be First and partners to learn more Sadia Ur-Rehman, Community about how the park was co-created with Engagement Coordinator at Be First, residents at the heart of the process. said: “This is a park designed by the community for the community. It’s a Phoenix Park Launch Festival great asset and especially when open Saturday 26 June, 12noon to 4pm space has never been so more at the Phoenix Park, Abbey Road. important.” Local residents are invited to an afternoon of free family friendly fun The park has four themes identified by for everyone. local residents; exercise, play, growing and contemplation. These are brought For more information about our together at the heart through an area exciting programme of events to which can be used for gatherings, events, launch the park go to: https://yourcall. communal dining, games and more. befirst.london/gascoigne-pocket-park Focus on forum place quite frequently. The members of the forum are incredibly well-mannered, and we all seem to gel This is the first of a regular slot where we’ll focus on together very well! a member of the Gascoigne Residents’ Forum. In this edition we speak to Ayesha Riaz and ask her a few What impact has the GRF made on the local questions. Gascoigne community? Why did you join the Gascoigne Residents’ We have made a huge impact on the local community. Forum (GRF)? One example is the co-design of the pop-up pocket park, which came together as a result of our ideas. I joined the Residents’ Forum because as Gascoigne In addition to co-designing the pocket park and other is undergoing rapid transformation, I was eager to communal areas, we have also discussed more contribute to the development programmes that are sensitive issues such as the tightening of security, being undertaken in and around my vicinity. having adequate cameras and lighting. What is it like being part of the GRF? What impact has the GRF made you? It is a privilege to be a part of this forum. We are a I feel as though my voice has been heard and I have group of like-minded individuals who have contributed learnt a great deal about the community from to the development of the projects that are taking members who have resided within the area for a place in and around our local area. I very much look longer period of time than myself. I have also learnt forward to our brain storming sessions that take about other areas that I was never exposed to previously, as experts regularly feature in our GASCOIGNE GAZETTE NEWSLETTER #5 discussions. So, I have learnt about the processes involved in designing parks, communities, and new build areas. I have also picked up some tips about gardening and some intricacies involved in applying for planning permission. Lastly, I have learnt about the history of Gascoigne, so all in all, it has been a great learning experience. yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne | 3

Get involved What you need to know Trump that! Students from Greatfields School took part in a launch of a Top Trumps project created by Wates Residential. The trumps project aims to raise pupil’s aspirations and to encourage them to think about all the different jobs in the construction industry that might be available to them. Bringing back memories of Simone Panayi, Heritage Community Engagement the past to our streets Officer at Be First, said: “Gascoigne and Barking has a rich and vibrant past and we hope this heritage trail A series of colourful mosaics representing the will bring memories of our collective past back to life Gascoigne and Barking’s history will adorn the on the streets of today’s neighbourhood.” neighbourhood’s streets this summer as a part of a new heritage project. If anyone has suggestions on what could be included in the heritage trail, please contact: The Barking Heritage project, which is funded by the [email protected] by Saturday 31 July. National Lottery Heritage Fund, involves residents working with Seun Oshinaike, mastermind of the The Barking Heritage Project and its volunteers will borough’s Street Tag App, Pen to Print, and mosaic also be at the Phoenix Park Launch Festival on artist Tamara Fround, in a bid to create a Gascoigne Saturday 26 June and you will be able to book onto heritage trail. heritage tours of the neighbourhood, sign up for interviews, discuss maps and old photographs, find out more about Gascoigne’s heritage and share your own stories with the local community. Women in Construction relevant to each stage of the project such as design, sustainability, estimating and planning. Willmott Dixon has recently been working with Greatfields School to deliver a Women in Construction Natalie Sidey, Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon, Enrichment programme for Year 10 female students. said: “It was fantastic to see how all of the students completely embraced the challenge and developed The students were asked to design, cost, plan and key skills and belief in their ability across the five present their dream home design, on a budget. weeks. The programme showed them that anything is possible when they put their minds to it, as well as Each week the students were joined by female showcasing to them the vast array of jobs available in Willmott Dixon staff who work in the discipline construction for men and women alike.” GASCOIGNE GAZETTE NEWSLETTER #5 yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne | 4 If you or someone you know needs this newsletter, or any of our consultation materials translated, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 8227 5104

What’s happening in your area? New Thinking in the West Weavers Quarter PHASE 1 - completed PHASE 2 - construction We have planning consent for the new homes on the corner of Demolition completed Gascoigne Road and St Paul’s Road. This will include 386 top quality new homes for the Council, a residents’ hub and an 100% affordable 381 Shared 65% affordable 526 new public improved range of children’s play areas. For more information, homes homes courtyard homes homes park please visit: https://yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne-st-pauls This phase of redevelopment was completed in March Demolition has been completed. Construction is All tenants and leaseholders have now moved and demolition 2019 and all the homes are now occupied. underway on the first homes and further phases will is underway. start over the next year. The first homes will be ready in autumn 2022. 2 Greatfields School 1 Once the school is complete, it will include an all-through education campus for a total of 2,400 primary, secondary and sixth form students. 3A School PHASE 3B & 4 The Coverdales and south of the area We’re drawing up plans for 350 new homes in the area around 3A the Orchard Surgery. 3B 1 4 4 4 PHASE 1 Moving home PHASE 3 & 4 Phase 1 – Gascoigne West Side Most residents have now moved out of the remaining homes in Contact for Leaseholders phase 3A and, your Rehousing Co-ordinator is contacting residents Demolition is completed and construction is to confirm how direct offers of accommodation will be made. If you are a leaseholder and have questions relating to your underway. The new development will provide 201 Rehousing residents of phase 3B is underway but may be delayed home visit or buyback process, please contact: new homes with rents from £137 per week. We’ll by the Covid-19 situation. Home visits to residents of phase 4 have Leaseholder & Decant Manager: Florence Olaniyan, plant more trees and the public spaces will be been delayed by the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will be in touch phone 020 8227 3918 or improved. You may also see demolition further soon to advise residents on the dates of future visits. Construction email [email protected] north along Abbey Road as the contractor, Wates, of phase 3A is anticipated to start in late 2020 with new homes will be taking down the vacant blocks for future completed during 2026. Gascoigne East contact phases of the programme. They will initially be for staff facilities and site accommodation but Rehousing Co-ordinator: Peterson Hinds, phone 020 8227 5113 will eventually form part of phase 3 of the or email [email protected] redevelopment. If you have any other questions or general enquiries about Schedule of home visits by our rehousing team the redevelopment on Gascoigne East please contact: Dubravka Polic, phone 020 8227 3904 or PHASE ADDRESSES START DATES PHASE ADDRESSES START DATES email [email protected] on Phase 2 and 3a and [email protected] on Phases 3b and 4 1 1-16 The Shaftesburys All tenants moved and 3A 1-122 St Mary’s Demolition underway GASCOIGNE WEST Gascoigne West contact GASCOIGNE EAST 3B 96-134 Wheelers Cross 94-117 The Clarksons demolition completed. Rehousing Co-ordinator: Abi Adeniyi, phone 020 8227 5649 or email [email protected] Development under 4 Anderson House Underway If you have any other questions or general enquiries about construction. 2-83 The Coverdales the redevelopment on Gascoigne West, please email [email protected] 2 2-55 Linsdell Road Demolition underway 2-61 Devehouse Mead JUN21 28-63 Hardwicke Street Fiske Court, Earlsdown Visits will start 3 105-135 Abbey Road Demolition in progress House, Crispe House, during 2021 55-87 Tomlins Orchard followed by construction Oban House, Tasker House, on site 2-94 Wheelers Cross, 61-111 Dovehouse Mead