Barking Riverside secures government funding for more homes

Barking Riverside Limited (BRL) announces a new £124 million funding package from Homes England for vital infrastructure to support the 20,000 homes development at Barking Riverside, in east London.

Barking Riverside, a 443-acre brownfield site formerly occupied by Barking Power Station, is one of Europe’s largest placemaking projects. Upon completion, the new mixed-use development will provide affordable family homes, enhanced green spaces, seven new schools, better access to the River Thames, and a significant amount of retail, employment and community space.

The funding agreed by Homes England will help master developer BRL – a partnership between L&Q and the Mayor of London – to prepare the land including flood defence work and the construction of an energy centre.

This vital infrastructure will help make it possible to build another 16,500 homes on the site, to complement the 3,500 already built or under construction by L&Q, and housebuilder, Bellway. This would see up to 20,000 new homes in total delivered at Barking Riverside – creating a community of up to 50,000 people.

Fiona Fletcher-Smith, Chief Executive Officer at L&Q, said:

“This new funding from Homes England is a vital boost for Barking Riverside. With demand for affordable housing soaring, housing associations like L&Q are essential to delivering solutions—but real progress depends on government support. That’s why this investment is so important; it allows us to do more, faster, and at a scale that truly meets the needs of local people.

“Barking Riverside shows what’s possible when ambition meets collaboration. Through strong partnerships and a shared vision, we are transforming this brownfield site into a sustainable community, prioritising quality homes, green spaces, and new opportunities. The progress here is a testament to what two like-minded organisations can achieve together, and we’re excited to move forward with the next phase of homes and infrastructure for the people of east London.”

Matthew Carpen, Managing Director of Barking Riverside, said:

“Barking Riverside has delivered thousands of vitally needed new homes for Londoners, on brownfield land that has already seen a significant investment in infrastructure. However, the support from Homes England will enable this project to move into a new era – increasing the level of ambition and unlocking housing at the scale needed to truly make an impact.

“We are excited to make our new masterplan a reality, which would not be possible without a number of important partnerships. Fundamentally, this funding from Homes England ensures that Barking Riverside can remain delivery-focussed and resilient despite a challenging market.”

Tom Copley, the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, said:

“Barking Riverside is an exemplary new town that is transforming east London with state-of-the-art new homes, community facilities, transport links and green spaces.

“I’m delighted that £124m has been secured to help unlock 20,000 new, high-quality homes. This will help support the Mayor’s plans to boost homebuilding across London and build a fairer, more prosperous city for everyone.”

Peter Denton, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:

“Delivering the government’s target of building 1.5 million homes will require support and collaboration from across the housebuilding sector.

“At Barking Riverside, there is potential to literally build more homes - and more affordable homes - in a place where they are desperately needed. And that's why we've stepped in, providing funding to deliver vital infrastructure, unlocking more land, so that our partners can build even more homes for the people of east London to enjoy and be proud of."