Beam Park regeneration reaches major milestone

Vistry Group, through its Countryside Partnerships brand, and L&Q have hit a major milestone in their ambitious Beam Park regeneration project in East London - topping out the highest point of the third phase.

This latest phase will deliver 520 new homes for Barking & Dagenham Council next year, forming part of the transformative circa 4,000-home eight-phase masterplan.

To commemorate this milestone, a topping out ceremony was held on 1st October with landowner the GLA and Mayor of London, Barking and Dagenham Council and their regeneration company Be First, which is acquiring the 520 new homes.

This forward-funded acquisition, secured by Barking & Dagenham Council in 2022, will provide a balanced mix of 50% affordable and 50% market rent, reinforcing the borough’s commitment to housing delivery.

Following the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s recognition of Beam Park as part of the New Homes Accelerator, this deal has played a pivotal role in accelerating housing delivery on the 72-acre former Ford manufacturing plant site, which is one of London’s largest active construction sites. 

Beam Park is one of only three schemes in London with over 3,000 homes, offering 50% affordable housing as well as 25% family homes – helping to meet the critical demand for high-quality homes in the area. 

The first two phases of Beam Park have now been completed, delivering 1,158 new homes and community facilities including a new health centre, nursery, primary school and green spaces including Central Park, a riverside open space that includes a range of play facilities for children. 

When fully complete Beam Park will have extensive facilities including two schools, retail spaces, a gym, a nursery, a multi-faith centre and two state-of-the-art energy centres, while 58% of the development has been allocated for open space.

Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing & Residential Development said:

“I’m delighted to see progress being made at Beam Park with 520 homes being delivered. Nearly half of these are affordable tenures, making a huge difference to the local community alongside a new outside courtyard space.

This project on City Hall land is a hugely exciting development which will span the boroughs of Havering and Barking & Dagenham and deliver new schools, leisure, and retail facilities alongside a multi-faith centre.

I look forward to seeing Londoners move into these new homes as we continue to build a better, more prosperous London for all.”

Andrew Savege, Development Director at Be First, congratulated key partners and all those involved in this key phase to deliver the next generation of affordable homes that will secure a vibrant well served community at Beam Park.

He commented: “Today is the best possible example of the power of partnership, delivering for the people of Barking and Dagenham, creating Beam Park as one of London’s most attractive neighbourhoods, that will become a great place to live, work and thrive.

“We are grateful to and thank the GLA and our excellent delivery partners, Vistry’s Countryside Partnerships and L&Q. We’re standing on the tangible proof of our combined ability to deliver the homes needed at scale and pace for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

This is one of the most dynamic and exciting parts of London, offering the very best value for investment in homes, businesses and the infrastructure that creates new futures at Beam Park. We are committed at Be First to delivering much more in the years to come.”

Kevin Delve, Managing Director for Vistry East London, commented:

“Reaching the highest point of Phase C is a major milestone in our journey to deliver much-needed homes in Dagenham. This phase will deliver 520 affordable homes, helping meet local housing needs and strengthen the community.

Beam Park is a prime example of how effective public-private partnerships can unlock complex brownfield sites and accelerate housing delivery. Together with Barking and Dagenham Council and L&Q, we’re transforming a former industrial site into a thriving new community - with high-quality, affordable homes and vital infrastructure for local residents.

Jacqueline Esimaje-Heath, Director for Growth & Sales at L&Q, said:

“At L&Q, our mission is to build homes and neighbourhoods everyone can be proud of and we are committed to playing our part in tackling the housing crisis.

This is why we are thrilled that, through our joint venture partnership with Vistry, we are able to support Be First and the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham in getting one step closer to providing these much needed homes for the local community.”