Barking Riverside celebrates latest phase in one of Europe's largest regeneration projects
The Mayor of London and leading housing association L&Q today marked the latest phase of their Barking Riverside joint venture project – one of the largest and most ambitious developments in Europe.
James Murray, the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, and David Montague, Chief Executive of L&Q, marked the start of work on building 227 homes at the event alongside the local Member of Parliament, Dame Margaret Hodge and the Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell.
Barking Riverside, a joint venture between the Mayor of London and L&Q, is one of the largest brownfield site developments in Europe, covering 443 acres and creating a brand new neighbourhood along 2km of Thames river frontage. The development will deliver a total of 10,800 new homes with nearly 4,000 being affordable either through shared ownership or social rent.
This is just the latest milestone in an exciting summer for the development which in September saw the opening of Riverside Campus – the UK’s largest free school campus with spaces for 2,600 children across three independent free schools.
This was preceded by the announcement in August that the green light had been given for the new Barking Riverside London station – part of a £263million extension to the existing Gospel Oak to Barking Overground line.
In addition to this, Barking Riverside’s commitment to improving the local infrastructure means that the development will feature new healthcare facilities, open space, public squares, parkland, and up to 65,000sq.m. commercial floor space including restaurant, shopping, community and leisure facilities with an ambition to create a new night-time economy in this part of the borough.
Barking Riverside has already received acclaim for its design and layout along with its innovative and considerate construction methods. The current phase, for instance, will see the installation of 1200 pre-cast concrete driven piles. The machines being used are highly efficient with limited noise impacts so there is less disruption to the nearby school or our neighbours.
The development also has the UK’s largest 3D printed masterplan model. Created by 3D technology specialists, Hobs Studio, the model is the size of a small family car and incorporates over 1,000 buildings.
James Murray, Deputy Mayor, Housing and Residential Development, said:
“Work on the Barking Riverside development is well underway, and I’m pleased to see the next phase moving ahead with hundreds of much-needed affordable homes. With London in the midst of a housing crisis, it is vital we make the most of opportunities like this, by building thousands of new and genuinely affordable homes for Londoners alongside investment in new transport infrastructure.”
David Montague, Chief Executive of L&Q, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with the Mayor of London to deliver this highly ambitious regeneration scheme at Barking Riverside. Today marks the latest step in our journey towards creating a brand new neighbourhood in the borough which, as well as nearly 11,000 much-needed new homes, will also include extensive new transport links, schools, commercial space, and open public spaces.
“L&Q is committed to tackling the housing crisis and we have a plan to deliver 100,000 quality new homes over the next ten years as well as working with communities to ensure the necessary infrastructure needed to support new development is also provided.”
Dame Margaret Hodge, MP for Barking, said:
“I am pleased that today we are entering the next phase of the development of Barking Riverside with work beginning on another 227 new homes. This is a ground-breaking housing development in the borough which will deliver nearly 11,000 new homes by 2021.
“These are homes which we urgently need. This development will bring a lot of change to one of the poorest parts of the borough so I will be working closely with Barking Riverside Limited, and local groups and residents to ensure we build a strong and united community in Thames Ward”
Matt Carpen, Project Director of Barking Riverside Ltd., said:
“This is the place to invest in your first home or to make that step up the ladder. In three years there will be a railway here, an established outstanding school, business opportunities, clubs and lots of things to do as part of London Living.”