1 Our progress report
2 50,000 new homes by 2037 20,000 new jobs A carbon neutral organisation by 2030 £75m 941 local people investment employed in local companies through our construction programme None left behind
Be First – Our progress report 3 Foreword from Cllr Darren Rodwell For many years I have been convinced that Barking and Dagenham is London’s growth opportunity. Regeneration in this borough will not only deliver significant benefits to local residents, but investment here will also stimulate growth in London and the UK as a whole. This thinking was behind our decision to establish Be First, the council’s regeneration arm. Be First’s mandate is to accelerate growth in the borough but critically, it was set up to embody our belief that the way regeneration is delivered is as important as what we deliver. Our objective has always been regeneration so that no-one is left behind. I am delighted to be able to report Be First has made huge strides forward. They are making it happen. In this report you will see the scale of change that we have delivered in this relatively short space of time. And, more importantly, it sets out our roadmap for the future – where we want to go in the future and how we get there. I invite you to join us. Cllr Darren Rodwell Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council
4 Contents
Be First – Our progress report 5 Our mission and strategy 6 Introduction from Bob Kerslake 10 A positive impact 12 More homes for everyone 18 Reimagined neighbourhoods 24 Successful partnerships 28 Big picture developments 34 Places and principles for growth 38 42 Barking town centre — a town centre reborn 46 Dagenham Dock — the borough’s industrial powerhouse 50 Dagenham East — London’s largest media, digital and tech hub 54 Dagenham Heathway and Becontree — heart of the borough 56 Castle Green and Thames Road — crossroads of the world 60 Chadwell Heath and Marks Gate — on the fast track for growth 62 Barking Riverside — living better by the river 64 A connected place 70 A team to deliver 76 Our people 80 Get in touch
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Be First – Our progress report 7
8 Our mission and strategy By 2037: 50,000 new homes 20,000 new jobs
Be First – Our progress report 9 Be First was established in 2017 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Our mission is to accelerate regeneration of the borough, so that no-one is left behind. By 2037 we aim to ensure that 50,000 new homes are built and 20,000 new jobs created. In order to do this we aim to build brilliant places for people to live, and work towards creating a more prosperous and sustainable community for everyone that lives, works and visits. We are making it happen by: — building high quality homes for the council — revitalising and reimagining targeted neighbourhoods — planning great places for the future, and — forging partnerships with like-minded, socially responsible organisations In this report you will see how we are making it happen.
10 Introduction from Lord Kerslake No one needs reminding that for the last year and a half we’ve been through some exceptionally difficult times. Our work has been beset by a combination of global, national and industry-specific events, many of which will have ramifications for many years to come. So, it is very pleasing to be able to report that in spite of these Be First has made significant progress and that our plans are more ambitious than ever. We have radically adjusted our way of working to cope with the pandemic and have adapted successfully to the new working patterns and fast-changing rhythms of central government, our partners, and our contractors. The evidence for this is that we are now handing over significant numbers of high quality new homes to the council – some 408 in total since the start of our work, with 2,005 in contract and being built. In total we expect to deliver some 9,775 new council homes in the next ten years. And, at the same time, we expect to be able to make the expected financial return to the council, which is so vitally important for local services.
Be First – Our progress report 11 More than this, we have been true to our mission, which is to deliver socially inclusive regeneration creating great places and huge opportunities for local people. As an example, we have invested £75 million in local companies through our construction programme and provided 941 local people with jobs. In addition, we have been able to accelerate our pipeline projects and we have innovated to deliver a turnkey programme on a much larger scale than originally envisaged. This has put us in the position of being the largest council-house building agency in London. Twenty per cent of the council homes being constructed in London are now being built in Barking and Dagenham. Our aspirations go far beyond just the numbers of affordable homes. We have expanded the organisation to strengthen our engagement with local people and enhance our design capabilities to ensure that the new homes we build are not just exemplar architectural schemes, but are also sustainable and flexible, situated in attractive, culturally rich places to live, with access to jobs, good transport and modern social infrastructure. Importantly, the strategic policy framework we have established will ensure that our proactive, people-based approach isn’t just relevant for today but also drives the development of tomorrow. That’s what we call real regeneration – where no one is left behind. Sir Bob Kerslake, Chair Be First Regeneration Ltd
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Be First – Our progress report 13 We are determined to use our investment to create social value – from jobs and business opportunities, to health and environmental benefits.
14 A positive impact India is a construction apprentice with Willmott Dixon working on our pioneering redevelopment of the Gascoigne neighbourhood. 185 apprentices each year
Be First – Our progress report 15 The way we do things is very often as important as what we do. And, this is especially true in the case of our investment. We are not just about delivering bricks and mortar, we are also dedicated to winning hearts and minds. This means that while we are building quality new homes for local people we're equally ambitious about making sure the regeneration of our borough benefits the community in other ways. We want to build thriving, prosperous communities enjoying attractive, safe, sustainable neighbourhoods that are healthy, vibrant and fun. One way in which we do this is to use our investment to deliver what we call ‘social value’. A major part of this is creating jobs and opportunities for residents and developing the supply chain to make sure the economic benefits are felt locally. We are working hard to help make our communities healthier. That’s why we rolled out several cycling projects across the borough and introduced five school streets to make the local roads safer, to improve their quality encourage healthier, active travel. Across the Becontree estate in particular, we have introduced a number of environmental improvement projects.
16 A positive impact Case study: Greening Fiddlers Greening the Fiddlers is a community led project in Becontree Heath which aims to create a more welcoming, healthy place for everyone to enjoy and encouraging more active, sustainable travel in and around the busy junction opposite the Becontree leisure centre. A series of online and in person engagement events and workshops in a local schools have resulted in five projects to improve the local air quality. These are accompanied by a programme of cycling walking activities for local people. Reducing our environmental impact We recognise that our work has a very significant impact on the environment. So, we are determined to maximise the opportunities to embed sustainability into our projects and minimise environmental data damage. The planning and design of our development is informed by a range of environmental principles and approaches, and we use a variety of methods such as: — top quality standards of insulation — heating systems connected to low energy district heating systems, photovoltaic systems, and often ground source and a source heat pumps — design which encourages active living such as walking and cycling, to reduce private car are use and improve their quality — landscaping to encourage biodiversity catch a carbon, and — offsite manufacture and modern methods of construction which minimise unnecessary transportation In 2020 we introduced a system to rigorously monitor our environmental footprint, looking at a range of indicators such as carbon output, waste created and recycled, and water consumption. Our aim is to work with our contractors to look at ways to meet progressively higher environmental targets.
Be First – Our progress report 17 2030Carbon neutral by 1/5 of the people employed in our construction work is local 27,500m2 of new school building construction £ £75m investment in local businesses
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Be First – Our progress report 19 One of our key objectives is to build a range of top quality, affordable and sustainable homes for the council to let to local people. We are on course to handover our 1000th property this year.
20 More homes for everyone Like every other part of London, Barking and Dagenham faces an acute shortage of housing. So, we are proud to be able to say that in recent years Be First has successfully established itself as the largest council house-builder in London, and we expect to deliver some 9,775 new council homes in the next ten years. We are particularly proud of this achievement because the homes we are delivering are top quality, affordable and built to meet modern environmental standards. Our housing programme 77%£ £ £ affordable homes 23% market rent
Be First – Our progress report 21 Case study: Quality homes at Becontree Heath Left Kyle Belshaw moved into his family’s recently built home in Althorne Way in Dagenham in February. It is part of the development at Trinity South in Becontree Heath involving 170 homes built by Countryside, including 87 affordable homes for the council’s housing arm, Reside. I love my new home and it’s been a fantastic boost for me and my family Kyle Belshaw Right House for Artists
22 More homes for everyone What is affordable? Building homes for the council We know that market rents in London are high. Project Homes Net costs Target This is why we have worked hard to ensure that (£) completion our programme delivers truly affordable homes. Though there are many factors that determine Burford Close 6 £2m Completed affordability – ranging from government grant rates to local market conditions–the homes we Leys estate, 69 £20m Completed build overwhelmingly fall into three categories. Dagenham Kingsbridge 27 £8m Completed North Street & 30 £8m Completed Ilchester Example weekly rents for a two bed home 2021/2022 Becontree Heath 87 £18m Completed in Barking and Dagenham Affordable rent £254.00 (includes service charge) Wivenhoe Road 20 £4m Completed London affordable £171.20 (includes service charge) Grays Court 62 £7m Completed Hospital Target rent Average £130.00 plus service charge Weighbridge 92 £11m Completed Sacred Heart 29 £9m January 2022 Affordable Rent: Introduced by the government in 2011, these rents are typically A House for Artists 12 £3m February set at 80 per cent of the market value. They 2022 are sometimes called discount market rent. 200 Becontree 19 £6m February London Affordable Rent: A social rent level Avenue 2022 set by the Mayor of London, increasing each year by inflation (CPI) plus one per cent. Gascoigne East 52 £13m March 2022 Phase 2 –Block C Target Rent: Another form of social rent set by central government. Sugden Way 13 Completed We also build shared ownership homes for Mellish Close 6 £5m insert date people who earn less than £90,000 a year, who can buy a share of the home and pay Sebastian Court 95 £20m February rent to the council or Reside (the council’s 2022 housing organisation) for the rest. Gascoigne West 201 £89m April 2022 phase 1 Linton Road (Crown 169 £63m May 2022 House)
Be First – Our progress report 23 Above Design team Design team Our design team brings together architecture, The team’s current focus is on how we can urban design, and landscape expertise and improve quality, sustainability, performance, offers services to development partners, and cost while also delivered a significantly community groups and, potentially, other local reduced carbon footprint. The cost of this authorities. Our design guidelines launched department is defrayed through reduced earlier this year set out clear design principles architect and associated fees, resulting in and areas for standardisation to deliver superior net zero cost for the council. quality, affordable and easily maintainable homes for borough residents.
24 With local residents, we're completely rethinking areas of poorer quality housing, aiming to make them vibrant new neighbourhoods.
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26 Reimagined neighbourhoods Case study: Reimagining Gascoigne We are working with residents to redesign a Right number of areas where the housing is older or of poor The Gascoigne quality. This will allow us to build more homes and to Residents Forum at reimagine the neighbourhoods to create healthier, more active and greener environments – places that are great Phoenix Park to live in. We have increased our engagement team to make sure that residents are at the heart of this process and that these places are seen less as separate ‘council estates’ but as successful neighbourhoods and vibrant communities that are fully integrated into the surrounding areas. Building homes for the council Project Homes Net costs (£) Target completion Gascoigne East phase 2 – block C 52 £13m 2021/22 Gascoigne East phase 2– block E2 159 £59m 2022/23 Gascoigne West phase 1 201 £66m 2022/23 Woodward Road* 56 £17m 2022/23 Jervis Court 64 £19m 2023/24 Oxlow Lane 62 £13m 2023/24 Roxwell Road 87 £20m 2023/24 Gascoigne West phase 2 386 £130m 2023/24 Gascoigne East phase 2–block F 223 £92m 2023/24 Gascoigne East Phase 2 – block E1 92 £40m 2023/24 Padnall Lake* 257 £67m 2023/24 Gascoigne East phase 3A 226 £72m 2024/25 * No demolition required
Be First – Our progress report 27 Barking’s Gascoigne neighbourhood is one A ‘pocket park’ has provided a new heart for of our flagship projects. We’re working for the the Gascoigne neighbourhood. It is a result council and local people to radically improve of a grassroots project led by the Gascoigne the area, and deliver new homes fit for 21st Residents’ Forum. century living. It is designed around four themes identified Our objective is to create a modern, sustainable by local residents; exercise, play, growing and new neighbourhood, providing significantly more contemplation. These are brought together at and better-quality housing, in a mix of sizes, in the heart through a stage, which can be used an attractive, safe and healthy environment. for gatherings, events, communal dining, And, since the area is so close to Barking town games and more. centre’s enviable range of transport options and facilities, we want to reduce residents’ reliance Ayesha Riaz of the Gascoigne Residents’ Forum on cars and develop the idea of the ’15 minute said: “It was fabulous to work on the pocket neighbourhood’ – where everything residents park and especially now we’re coming out of need is within walking or cycling distance. lockdown as I met so many people from the forum I hadn’t met before. This is what this To help us deliver this ambitious idea, we have park is all about – bringing people together.” established and worked closely with a residents’ The approach reflects the way that Be First forum, putting residents at the heart of design is transforming the area. and development of the new neighbourhood.
28 Delivering 50,000 new homes is a team project. Our construction programme will deliver a significant proportion. But we are working to encourage socially conscious developers to work with us to deliver the new homes and infrastructure our community aspires to.
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30 Successful partnerships On the ground, a range of major developers and investors are already helping us deliver the council’s aspirational housing target. Through our role providing the planning service for the borough, we are ensuring these new homes meet the needs of Barking and Dagenham residents. Similarly, we are working with a range of partners to develop new employment and training opportunities. We have acted imaginatively to think about what uses suit the sites the council has available in order to maximise our chances of delivering jobs for local people. Below Industria
Be First – Our progress report 31 Industria will be the first multi-storey light industrial development to be built in the UK, and an example of Be First intervening directly to help industry to grow and develop. It will host a huge range of makers and creators, providing hundreds of new jobs and opportunities for local people. Industria is supported by £1 million of the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, delivered through the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP), alongside Barking and Dagenham Council’s investment of £37 million. 12 Thames Road will feature spaces for Above businesses together with 156 quality and The future of Roycraft House affordable homes, roof gardens and a café too. The development aims to balance the need for modern business premises and new homes in a part of the borough undergoing rapid change. Six storey Roycraft House in Barking will Our ambition at Vicarage Field is to work become home to some of London’s most with PineBridge to create a dynamic new exciting makers, food stars, retailers, designers, residential and commercial destination for social enterprises and start-up businesses, east London. We are using our planning thanks to an investment from Make it London, powers to facilitate the building of up to 900 who were awarded the contract to give a new homes, a new healthcare facility, a 150 new lease of life to the former-council offices room hotel and a cinema and music venue, following our open competition in 2021. Their together with a revitalised public realm and imaginative repurposing of the building will green spaces. We have been working closely provide a hub for independent businesses with the City of London to relocate the iconic together with an event, cafe and community wholesale markets, Billingsgate, Spitalfields space, a rooftop garden, a vast coworking floor and Smithfield, to Dagenham. The move will act and a series of creative spaces that will be open as a catalyst for the multi-million food industry, to the public. with a £1.75m investment in the development and construction of a Food Hub in Barking Town We brokered the agreement between the Centre, featuring independent food and drink Council and global media real estate leader outlets and stalls with fresh produce straight Hackman Capital Partners (HCP) to build from the markets. London’s largest film and TV production centre in Dagenham. Eastbrook Studios will have up to We are now consulting local people about 12 sound stages, three acres of backlot, offices the future of Dagenham Heathway and how and ancillary space, totalling over half a million this important and busy district centre can square feet. Alongside their sister studios at be boosted. The Wharf, Barking, Eastbrook will be a major boost not just for the borough, but also for Crucially, we are also working with partners the entertainment industry and the capital. in the education and training sectors to The studios will create and estimated 1,200 ensure that there are pathways for local jobs, contributing £35m per year to the local people to compete for the jobs that these economy and inspiring more development into industries will bring. thriving East London.
32 Successful partnerships Case Study – Chequers Lane People: Planning for success Major housing Developer Number developments in the of homes Our planning consultancy team is increasingly borough called upon by partners in East London to Be First programme Be First/LBBD 9,775 help improve the quality and deliverability of Barking Riverside development proposals. The team – with its Barking Riverside 10,800 blend of public and private expertise - provides Beam Park* Limited and L&Q high quality commercial advice to our in-house Ford Stamping Plant teams, increasing both the viability, quality and Quayside Barking Countryside and L&Q 3,900 delivery of projects. Abbey Quays Peabody 3,500 This business acumen, together with the Freshwharf in-depth knowledge of the place, its people Ecoworld 1,758 and the local policy framework, allows the team Vicarage Field to reduce investment risk and quicken delivery. Barking Wharf Weston Homes and 1,089 By helping to design and shape projects which Town Quay the Estates & Agency are consistent with the borough vision, the team Chequers Lane Group is able to guide developers effectively through Harbard Close the planning process. Countryside and 900 Notting Hill Genesis PineBridge 900 Broadway Malyan 600 Weston Homes 147 Hollybrook 90 Pocket Living 78 * straddles the border with LB Havering
Be First – Our progress report 33 Building work on 90 affordable homes at a The agreement means that once Hollybrook former Job Centre site in South Dagenham complete construction, the council will take is due to complete in early 2022. ownership of 90 homes, with 69 per cent at affordable rent, and 31 per cent at London Be First has worked with developers, Hollybrook Affordable Rent – with rent for a one-bedroom Ltd, to radically change the focus and scale of flat starting at £160 a week*. the project. The total development costs for Barking Initially the site had planning permission for 77 and Dagenham Council are £25m. homes of which only 16 per cent were affordable. But we have reached an innovative ‘turnkey’ *20/21 rent levels agreement with Hollybrook to ensure that all the homes will now be affordable. Turnkey projects in the pipeline Chequers lane 90 Town Quay Wharf 62 Beam Park 936 Transport House 53 Trocoll House 198 Below Chequers Lane
34 We are challenging conventional thinking about the use of land to make the best for our community.
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36 Big picture developments Alongside its well-established residential neighbourhoods and industrial parks, Barking and Dagenham has a significant number of brownfield sites. In total, these amount to almost 40 hectares, equivalent to more than 70 football pitches. Many of these are poised for development, including notably the land at Beam Park, the old Ford Stamping Plant and Barking Riverside. But the remaining areas present a unique opportunity and also a challenge to traditional views about development. Case Study – A planning super-service The planning services we provide to the Planning service in numbers 2021 community on behalf of the council are among the busiest in the capital. We have developed — 31 major planning applications the team significantly in the past two years — 266 minor applications to improve efficiency and deliver a more — 681 householder applications determined comprehensive service to the public and to — 410 permissions given for small-scale developers. Our philosophy is to be focussed on solutions. We are dedicated to working with residential developments applicants – large or small – to make the highest — 10 day average turn-around for lawful quality development possible, while carefully taking into account the views of local residents development certificates (down from 8 weeks) and stakeholders. — 8 working day offer of solutions-focussed pre-application advice — 2 working days standard for acknowledgement and response to correspondence
Be First – Our progress report 37 The pandemic has caused many of us to We have set out these aspirations in detail in reassess how we work, and where we work. our emerging Local Plan, which we have This ‘new’ thinking reinforces our long-held prepared for the council. The Local Plan is a view that rather than focussing on whether an vitally important planning tool that sets out area should be used for residential or industrial where and what kind of development will be uses, we would be better concentrating on what encouraged in the borough over the next 20 makes an area great to live and work in, before years. It will also help to determine the scale, determining the land use. pace and quality of development and sets out how we will ensure that local people benefit. In practice, our community needs homes and jobs and the solution is to think more We’ve strengthened the Local Plan very intelligently about how we use land rather significantly as a result of an extensive than see it as a binary choice. This informs our consultation with the public and local thinking about long-term development in the stakeholders, and submitted our final draft to borough. Though many existing neighbourhoods the Planning Inspectorate in December 2021, will remain predominately one or the other, with the hope of their arranging the independent the borough increasingly needs well-designed examination during 2022. mixed-use neighbourhoods that respond to modern challenges such as sustainability We expect to supplement the Local Plan with and digital and physical connectivity. These more detailed planning frameworks in the neighbourhoods should offer residents majority of the borough’s regeneration hotspots the social, economic and environmental during the course of the next year. infrastructure that makes places great. Right Lindhill Properties will deliver 170 apartments overlooking Abbey Green, together with new offices for Care City and a new two screen cinema
38 Places and principles for growth Growth and development will be concentrated in seven areas of the borough, and we explain more about these growth hubs in the following chapters. Underpinning every one of these plans, are our five pillars for growth. 7 5 development pillars of areas regeneration
Be First – Our progress report 39 Our regeneration areas Dagenham Heathway Chadwell Heath and Becontree Estate and Marks Gate Barking and Becontree Heath the River Roding Dagenham Thames East Riverside Dagenham Dock
40 Places and principles for growth 1 Industrial areas fit for the growth industries of the future We want to support our local economy, and that of Greater London, by stepping up investment in our ageing industrial areas. The borough has around 446.3 hectares of strategic industrial land accommodating slightly more than 1.5 million square metres of commercial floorspace. 70 per cent of this floorspace is located within Strategic Industrial Locations and 22 per cent within the Locally Significant Industrial Sites. We want to transform these areas into modern commercial developments capable of attracting exciting new companies in order to create a range of new jobs, along with supply opportunities, for local residents and businesses. We know that our future is no longer in heavy industry. So, we’re particularly keen to welcome businesses in the growth sectors such as care, creative, logistics, city markets, education and construction. These will provide jobs, training and career progression in the borough. We also have ambitions to attract investment in the decarbonisation sector, bringing both economic and environmental benefits. In parallel, action to upskill the borough workforce and improve digital infrastructure will need to continue. 2 Stepping-up housing delivery In common with the rest of London, the need for affordable homes in the borough is very high but in recent years house building has been slow. So, we have set ourselves a target to deliver 1,944 new homes each year until 2029. Our own activity will step up construction significantly and we are also working with other local developers to accelerate their programmes. How fast we deliver these new homes is governed by a range of factors from site specific matters to global trends such as the economic impacts arising from COVID-19. So, though we anticipate delivery will be slower in the earlier years, we expect it to accelerate over the next 10 years. 3 Unlocking growth through infrastructure investment Ensuring there is necessary social infrastructure – such as schools and health services – to meet the needs of new and existing communities is fundamental. While strategic transport access is good, connectivity and capacity issues at stations in Barking and Dagenham, on the Tube, C2C line and the A13 and other parts of the road network must be addressed to avoid holding the borough back. In the wake of COVID-19, we’ve increasingly prioritised better walking and cycling infrastructure. There are other local environmental infrastructure needs, too. Areas of land in the south of the borough are at significant risk of tidal and coastal flooding, and flood defences and flow control structures must be maintained.
Be First – Our progress report 41 4 Becoming the green capital of the capital We are committed to working with the council and community to create a clean, green and sustainable borough. We actively support the councils climate change emergency declaration and target to become carbon neutral by 2030. To help achieve these targets, our policies promote the development of sustainable infrastructure and the protection and enhancement of our natural environment. In particular, there is a strong emphasis on — high standards of energy efficiency — sustainable design and construction — using innovative renewable energy technologies — vastly improving air quality — conserving our water and natural resources — reducing our waste — promoting the circular economy, and — enhancing biodiversity and green infrastructure. 5 Promoting sustainable transport Our ambitions for the scale of new housing and development will require a new emphasis, promoting a shift to sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport, with less dependency on car use. Why Barking and Dagenham? Barking and Dagenham has five great assets. — Location – we’re strategically placed on the River Thames between the M25 and the City of London — Connections – it’s a 15 minute journey time to Canary Wharf and the City, with Overground, underground, national rail and Crossrail services and City Airport and Thames Clipper services on our doorstep (from spring 2022) — Space – our industrial lands are underused providing space to grow — Affordability – rents and prices remain below the London average, providing opportunities to deliver exciting development within reach of local people — People – we’re a dynamic, young borough with a wealth of talent and a rich heritage The combination of these factors means that we can and must be ambitious. In fact, we expect some 50,000 new homes to be built within the borough within the next 20 years – that’s equivalent to building a city the size of York in our borough.
42 Places and principles for growth Barking – a town centre reborn Our vision A town centre where inclusive growth unlocks a new lease of life - a healthy, safe and sustainable place to live, work, learn, socialise, shop, eat and relax with great places to visit. A real destination, day and night, with a strong sense of place and identity harnessing its physical assets and rich heritage. Markets, merchants, makers and more. Roding Riverside will restore the river’s importance to Barking’s town centre, being the creative and cultural heart of the centre, with new homes and jobs for local people. 15,135 new homes (Local Plan target)
Be First – Our progress report 43 Happening now Our plans are set to make the town centre one of east London’s most vibrant, exciting places — The new Gascoigne neighbourhood to live, work and enjoy. — Coming soon – new homes at Axe You already can already see new quality, Street, including a new Care City hub and affordable developments shooting up, creating arthouse cinema a sense of exciting change for the town centre — The Ice House Quarter – our creative including the new improved Crown House. centre — New housing at Barking Wharf, Fresh We want to make the town centre a place Wharf and Abbey Quay for ambitious, aspiring working people and a — New homes for the council at Crown magnet for the capital’s creative community. House — The House for Artists – 12 homes and a So, we’re bringing arts and culture to the heart community arts venue of Barking with great new projects such as our — Phase one of the Vicarage Field House for Artists, a new arts gallery at 360 redevelopment Barking and a new arthouse cinema. — 360 Barking arts studios opening soon — First phase of improvements to the station underway — Trocoll House planning approved — A heritage revival including curfew tower refresh, a mural and history trail Below CGI of Axe Street Cinema
44 Places and principles for growth Above River Roding Riverside Development Find out more about our strategy for revitalising Barking town centre
Be First – Our progress report 45 These will complement the galleries and studios We’re working with partners to rejuvenate now firmly established on the banks of the Barking station which is one of London’s rejuvenated River Roding. This was formerly the busiest interchanges. The revamped heritage historical heart of Barking, and the next stages listed station will offer a vastly better experience of our plan we will restore it to its rightful place for travellers. with a new riverside walk and cycleway from Town Quay along to the River Thames, passing We’re also working with the developer and a ribbon of waterside residential and commercial moving ahead with plans to transform Vicarage developments, cafés and creative workspaces. Field into a more diverse retail experience which also provides hundreds more homes, a concert Just a stone’s throw from the Roding is our venue, hotel, health centre and primary school. pioneering redevelopment of the Gascoigne neighbourhood which is making rapid progress. And we also have a vision for a new retail hub We’re building hundreds of quality homes for for independent retailers to colonise East ordinary people, surrounded with spacious tree Street, which will strengthen the heart of the lined courtyards and avenues and a plethora of historic Barking Market. The new East Street playgrounds for our young people. will help form the backbone of the new Barking town centre connecting the station, through the Market and to Abbey Green. Below East Street Masterplan
46 Places and principles for growth Dagenham Dock – the borough’s an industrial powerhouse Our vision A home to the next generation of sustainable industries, London’s wholesale markets and the Thames freeport. The international rail access provides an unrivalled opportunity for investment and industrial intensification generating more and better jobs. 5,991Target new homes
Be First – Our progress report 47 Happening now — The Thames Freeport — New home for Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield wholesale markets — Almost 7,400 new homes at Beam Park and the former Ford Stamping Plant Below The Thames Freeport
48 Places and principles for growth Below The City of London’s wholesale markets Dagenham Dock has long been the borough’s economic heart, but the best is yet to come. We aim to bring the area firmly into the 21st century to provide sustainable jobs for local people. The Dock is poised to become London’s gateway to world markets, anchored by two great projects: the Thames Freeport and an international freight hub. The freight hub concept is propelled by the fact that Dagenham is the only place in Britain where continental sized freight trains can be brought into the country. It means larger loads and lorry-loads transported more sustainably, arriving and departing to China and everywhere in between. We will work to enhance this potential and provide a rail hub fit for 21st century freight, with a long-term aspiration to link the hub to river freight services on the Thames.
Our five pillars for growth Be First – Our progress report 49 The Freeport is an economic zone connecting Ford’s world-class Dagenham engine plant to the global ports at London Gateway and Tilbury, with an emphasis on introducing electric and autonomous vehicle technology along the A13 corridor into London. We are encouraging Ford to rationalise and release land for state-of-the-art business space, whilst retaining and growing activities that are vital to the continued success of Ford and the borough. Thanks to our work with the City of London, New Spitalfields, Smithfield and Billingsgate wholesale markets will be moving to the area bringing with them hundreds of jobs and helping food related businesses to prosper. To the north of Dagenham Dock station, Beam Park and the former Stamping Plant site are set to become new residential districts offering more than 7,400 new homes in total, with a substantial community infrastructure such as schools and health centres and incorporating a major attraction that will celebrate the borough’s motoring heritage. Below Beam Park
50 Places and principles for growth Dagenham East – London’s largest media, digital and tech hub Our vision A centre for media, science and technology. The jobs of tomorrow, right next to the historic heart of Dagenham. The character of the Essex village will be reborn, with the unsuccessful surrounding post war development rebuilt with the interest and richness of a market town.
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