London Councils guide to development in the city of opportunity
Beam Park and the proposed tunnelling of the A13 opening opportunities for further homes, the borough’s residential offer will contribute significantly to helping resolve London’s housing crisis.
EDUCATION There are seven infant schools, seven junior schools, 35 primary schools, two ‘all through’ schools, nine secondary schools, one secondary tuition centre (referral unit) and one special school serving the community in Barking and Dagenham. With further education facilities such as Barking and Dagenham College and Coventry University’s London campus offering vocational and academic paths helping the borough’s young people into employment, Barking and Dagenham is a borough backing its future generations.
EMPLOYMENT Ambitious plans are in place to create 20,000 jobs in Barking and Dagenham by 2035, boosted by the creation of cultural hubs such as the Ice House Quarter. With colleges and employers working together to create apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities, and swathes of land open to development potentially creating thousands more jobs, the target is set high for a reason. As council leader Darren Rodwell puts it: “you can’t achieve anything without ambition”.
CULTURE AND ART Concentrated around Barking town centre and the Ice House Quarter on the River Roding, artists, designers and makers are being attracted in droves. Expanding facilities make them come and great support networks persuade them to stay. Working with a host of impressive partners and backed to the tune of £250,000 by the mayor of London, Barking and Dagenham Council’s proposal for the capital’s first Artist Enterprise Zone will help keep artists in London, providing new outlets and opportunities for their talents. Barking and Dagenham is no doubt a hotspot for London’s burgeoning cultural sector.
KEY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
BARKING RIVERSIDE
The council, through Be First, intends to oversee the building of 50,000 homes, with nearly 11,000 at Barking Riverside (above), during the next 20 years and is looking for private sector partners. For more information, please visit www.befirst.london
OTHER KEY OPPORTUNITIES + VICARAGE FIELD SHOPPING CENTRE Outline planning permission has been granted to redevelop Vicarage Field shopping centre site, which sits on more than two hectares between Barking station and the town centre. The proposals will play a significant role in securing the future of the town centre, helping to drive further investment to the borough by delivering a number of key benefits, including around 900 homes.
+ FRESH WHARF Fresh Wharf estate is located on a 6.87-ha former brownfield industrial site in Barking. Part of the site has planning permission for a new residential scheme. Fresh Wharf has good transport links, including to the North Circular, and is home to a mix of local and national businesses.
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