Gascoigne Gazette October 2020

GTGheaaszceottiegne AUTUMN 2020 | EDITION 3 Barking is where the art is for Chris Welcome to The Gascoigne This amazing picture of an abstract sculpture by local Gazette - a regular artist, Chris Simpson, overlooks the changing face of newsletter for residents living in the Gascoigne. and around the Gascoigne area to keep you updated, entertained The piece entitled ‘Cementitious surfaces’ is situated on and informed about our plans to the roof of Chris’s work-shop in Axe Street. build a better Gascoigne. Chris said: “I wanted to create something positive during Inside this newsletter you will find: the darkness and danger of Covid. I’ve tried to create a kind of comfort blanket.” 3 Latest news about developments And Chris, who was due to move to Berlin, has now in and around the neighbourhood decided to stay in Barking due to the area’s welcoming environment for artists. He said: “I love the diversity of 3 What’s happening and where Barking and have noticed a creative community spirit 3 How you can get involved awakening in the area over the last few years which is fantastic. GASCOIGNE GAZETTE NEWSLETTER #3 “I’d encourage any artist looking for a new affordable place to live and work to come join our fantastic community.” brought to you by yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne | 1

Estate updates Construction information and meet the team! Councillors’ column The Team Our future for Gascoigne Be First Regeneration Team Welcome to the Autumn edition of the Be First is a pioneering, independent regeneration Gascoigne Gazette. As the leaves organisation, wholly-owned by Barking and turn brown and begin to fall, the new, Dagenham Council. Be First will manage the eco-friendly Gascoigne begins to rise. redevelopment of the estate, and has employed architects to draw up plans for the new homes, The growing Gascoigne is a sign of renewal public spaces and facilities. and hope for Barking and we believe it will be among the best and most affordable My Place places to live in east London for ordinary working people. However, we know that My Place is the council’s housing management the new Gascoigne is not just about bricks service. They are your go-to team on all your needs and mortar. as a resident. We want to build a new vibrant community If you have issues with your home such as repairs too which is why it’s so important to appeal or anti-social behaviour, contact your Landlord to residents’ hearts and minds. It’s why it’s Services Co-ordinators, Christopher Loney on so good to see artists and creatives thriving among the 020 8227 3077, mobile 07812 999523, or email Gascoigne community and elsewhere in Barking town centre. [email protected] or Manelva Honeygan-Green on 020 8724 5857, or email We passionately believe if we are to build a better [email protected] Gascoigne, we need art and cultural diversity at its heart. If you are a resident in one of the Reside Weavers Email your councillors for more information; Quarter blocks your My Place management [email protected], [email protected], contacts are all detailed on the notice Boards in [email protected]. the lobby of your block. Meet Sean Meet Aaron Sean Cushing, is the Project Manager for Willmott Dixon’s Senior Wates Residential at Gascoigne West. Operations Manager, Aaron Pearson, will be overseeing Sean said: “I’m delighted to be leading on the rebuilding of over 500 new this exciting development for the local homes on Phase 2 of the community. I have managed Wates projects for 18 years Gascoigne Estate (see map). now and am passionate about delivering top quality new homes. Aaron said: “Works have progressed well over the summer with the construction of the foundations The project continues to progress well with the concrete to a new block further along Ketch Street. We intend framework going up and scaffold being installed at pace. to start building the floor over the next couple of Since Gascoigne School re-opened for the Autumn term we weeks which then allow the main concrete frame have also been working hard to ensure that deliveries are works to start. Our neighbours will have noticed a scheduled to avoid peak opening and closing times. And, new addition to the skyline recently with the we’re continuing to support local children’s learning about erection of our tower crane. In the coming weeks construction careers as part of our presence in the local and months we’ll begin construction of the new road area.” network that will provide access to the new homes and prepare to start construction of further blocks.” To contact Sean call 07770 480981 or email If you have any queries for Aaron please [email protected] call 07967 792418 or email [email protected] GASCOIGNE GAZETTE NEWSLETTER #3 yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne | 2

Big steps forward Updates from Be First A green Gascoigne grows Iain Ferguson centre with ‘The Team’ from Be First and Willmott Dixon inspecting works on the east side of Gascoigne. Building work at Gascoigne is accelerating, with shape on site, demonstrating that high-quality, hundreds of new homes being built on its east affordable and sustainable neighbourhoods are and west side. achievable through strong collaboration and a clear shared vision. And despite a tougher Covid clampdown, Iain Ferguson, Be First’s Commercial Director, said “Our designs make efficient use of daylight construction will carry on unless the Government conditions in the public realm, and promote walking puts a stop to works. and cycling to ensure that all residents enjoy the benefits of a cohesive and healthy neighbourhood.” He said: “We’re continuing our ambitious programme of delivering thousands of new affordable homes The plans include a network of green courtyards, a across the borough. By pressing on with developments new 5,130 sqm Gascoigne Park, 1,115 cycle parking like this we are helping to improve the future for spaces, connection to the local district energy local people.” network, green roofs and solar panels plus a new underground waste system. The news comes as a revised planning application was submitted for 526 homes on the Gascoigne And in November plans to build another 386 new which will make the development among the homes on the west side of Gascoigne are due to go greenest in the capital. before the council’s planning committee. To view the plans go to https://online-befirst.lbbd.gov.uk/ Lukas Thiel, Director, White Arkitekter said: “It’s planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=26386 incredibly rewarding to see Gascoigne East taking GASCOIGNE GAZETTE NEWSLETTER #3 yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne | 3

Get involved What you need to know Artists impression Community centre relocation Art centre gets a £1.2 million refit with giant ‘mirror’ ball As part of redevelopment works the Community Centre will move in the Studio 3 Arts has announced the that prevent arts participation for new year to a temporary home in £1.2 million renewal of the former over 30 years. the ground floor space at Weavers Galleon Community Centre into a Quarter on the Corner of Ripple dedicated performance arts centre. “The plans for our new venue Road and Ketch street. keep the people of Barking and The refurbishment will feature a new Dagenham at their heart, whether The new centre will be fitted out to theatre made of straw, a gallery, a that’s participating in our provide room for all the Children’s purpose-built recording studio, and programme or helping us build Centre, pre-school and community a giant mirror ball. a new theatre from straw bales. hire activities currently held in the present building. Liza Vallance, Artistic Director and We haven’t stopped during CEO of Studio 3 Arts said: lockdown, but we are really just Sadia Ur-Rehman, Community “Everyone should have access to getting started with this ambitious Engagement Coordinator at Be First world-class culture and at Studio 3 and exciting project for London.” said: “This much loved community Arts we have challenged the barriers facility will still be in the heart of the community and well connected to both the town centre and transport links. We will provide a fuller update on timings for the transfer of activities in the next Winter edition of the Gazette along with some information about the services available from the centre.” Come and join our Gascoigne Residents’ Forum! residents No previous experience is forum necessary. We want to meet Gascoigne residents who have ideas about the local area and want to get involved. We are looking to recruit 12 local and experiences on the developments If you are interested please get Gascoigne residents from all age in your local area. It’s your chance in touch for more information groups and backgrounds to join to have your say, shape future via email with Sadia on our Residents’ Forum. proposals for your estate and for [email protected] us to gain a deeper understanding or call 020 8227 5104 by The forum is an opportunity to of residents’ priorities. Friday 30 October. work with us and share your views You will need to complete an expression of interest form, which will then be followed up with a phone call to give you and us a chance to see if it is something you can get involved in. GASCOIGNE GAZETTE NEWSLETTER #3 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 now submitted our planning application for the new Demolition completed homes on the corner of Gascoigne Road and St Paul’s Road. This will include 386 top quality new homes for the Council, a 100% affordable 381 Shared 65% affordable 526 new public residents’ hub and an improved range of children’s play areas. homes homes courtyard homes homes park For more information, please visit: https://yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne-st-pauls This phase of redevelopment was completed in March Demolition has been completed. Construction is 2019 and all the homes are now occupied. underway on the first homes and further phases will All tenants and leaseholders should be in discussions about start over the next year. The first homes will be ready their rehousing options already, and your Decant Co-ordinator in autumn 2022. will contact you to confirm how direct offers of accommodation will be made. 2 1 Greatfields School 3A Once the school is complete, it will include School an all-through education campus for a total of 2,400 primary, secondary and sixth form students. PHASE 4 Moving home Further home visits to residents were due to commence towards the end of the 2020 but may now be delayed by the introduction of measures to ensure the programme can continue safely during the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will be in touch to advise residents on the 3A dates of future visits. 3B 1 4 4 4 PHASE 1 Moving home PHASE 3 Phase 1 – Gascoigne West Side Most residents have now moved out of the remaining homes in Contact for Leaseholders phase 3A and, your Decant Co-ordinator is contacting residents to Demolition is completed and construction is 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. Construction of phase 3A is anticipated Leaseholder & Decant Manager: Florence Olaniyan, plant more trees and the public spaces will be to start in late 2020 with new homes completed during 2023. phone 020 8227 3918 or improved. You may also see demolition further Construction of phase 3B will start in late 2021 and is planned email [email protected] north along Abbey Road as the contractor, Wates, will be taking down the vacant blocks for future to be completed during 2024. 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] 1 1-16 The Shaftesburys All tenants moved and 3A 1-122 St Mary’s Visits completed. Gascoigne West contact GASCOIGNE WEST GASCOIGNE EAST 3B 96-134 Wheelers Cross Rehousing Co-ordinator: Abi Adeniyi, phone 020 8227 5649 94-117 The Clarksons demolition completed. or email [email protected] Development start on site 4 Anderson House Underway If you have any other questions or general enquiries about the redevelopment on Gascoigne West, please contact: Spring 2020. 2-83 The Coverdales Vicky Western by emailing [email protected] 2 2-55 Linsdell Road All visits completed. 2-61 Devehouse Mead OCT20 28-63 Hardwicke Street Fiske Court, Earlsdown The earliest visits will 3 105-135 Abbey Road All visits completed. House, Crispe House, start at the beginning 55-87 Tomlins Orchard Oban House, Tasker House, of 2021 2-94 Wheelers Cross, 61-111 Dovehouse Mead