Councillors give green light for 13,000 more homes at Barking Riverside

Councillors have approved plans for an extra 13,000 homes at one of Europe’s largest regeneration sites.

Barking & Dagenham Council’s planning committee last night approved plans for 13,046 homes and 52,848 sq. metres of non-residential floor space at the 443-acre brownfield site in east London.

The permission comes on top of a previous approval for nearly 7,000 homes. The overall allocated capacity for the site has doubled from 10,000 to 20,000 homes as a result of the approval.

Barking Riverside Limited (BRL), a joint venture company consisting of L&Q and the Greater London Authority, is the master developer for the site, which also includes two parks, a health facility, up to three schools, two community centres and walking and cycling routes. Around 3,000 homes have already been completed.

BRL has committed to a ‘baseline’ level of 12% affordable housing on the project, with the homes split equally between social rent and intermediate rent. This will be increased up to 35% if the development’s internal rate of return – a measure of profit on the scheme – rises above 14%.

The development will be predominantly comprised of flats, but a minimum of 25% of the social housing units must be family-sized (three-bed or larger).

The council officers’ report however also said plot developers – housebuilders who will buy parcels of land from BRL to build homes as part of the scheme – would be able to build larger homes under the approval.

Tom Copley, deputy mayor for housing and residential development at the GLA, said: “Barking Riverside is one of the most significant and exciting housing developments not just in London but anywhere in the UK. It is a fantastic example of a major brownfield regeneration, supported by City Hall and partners, which is delivering for the local community in this vibrant part of east London.”

Leigh Johnson, managing director of BRL: “This successful planning consent marks a genuine step change for Barking Riverside and for the role it can play in London’s growth. Yes, in relation to housing numbers, but also regarding place creation and the pace of delivery.

Fiona Fletcher-Smith, group chief executive at L&Q, said: “Delivering well-designed affordable homes and community infrastructure at scale at Barking Riverside represents our long-term plans to tackle the housing crisis in London. We believe it could be a blueprint for brownfield development across the country.