The Mayor of London has paved the way for up to 10,000 new homes in Barking – as many as 50 per cent of which could be affordable – after approving the masterplan for the single largest regeneration site in the capital.
Sadiq Khan gave his consent to the masterplan for Barking Riverside – a 180-hectare brownfield site on the northern banks of the River Thames.
In line with Sadiq’s long-term aim, a target of 50 per cent affordable housing has been set for the development, including affordable homes to rent and those for first-time buyers, across a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom homes.
Under the previous Mayor, the plans included only 28 per cent affordable housing. Despite still operating under the existing London Plan set by the previous Mayor, Sadiq has now agreed a scheme that includes a minimum of 35 per cent affordable from the outset, with provisions to raise this to 50 per cent over time through additional investment and viability reviews.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Barking Riverside has enormous potential to deliver thousands of the much-needed homes Londoners so urgently need.
“I’ve made it clear that tackling London’s housing crisis is my number-one priority. Fixing this problem will be a marathon, not a sprint, but developments like this one will play a huge part in our efforts to provide genuinely affordable homes to buy and rent.
“Our next task is to ensure this development includes the facilities and infrastructure which will make this a fantastic place to live and to visit, rather than simply a housing development.”
Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Councillor Darren Rodwell, said: “We welcome the Mayor’s approval for Barking Riverside masterplan. This is a key part of the regeneration jigsaw, not just for Barking and Dagenham but for London as a whole.
“It will undoubtedly make an enormous contribution to solving part of the capital’s housing crisis and we are determined to create an attractive and prosperous new community there.
“This borough has a very exciting and ambitious growth programme, which includes the delivery of over 45,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs over the next ten years. We are committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind. These homes should serve local residents too and therefore providing affordable housing is key.”
Chief Executive of London & Quadrant (L&Q), David Montague, said: “As Barking Riverside is one of the largest and most ambitious regeneration schemes in Europe, L&Q is committed to delivering homes, across a range of incomes, that are genuinely affordable for everyone. The revised masterplan approval helps us achieve this goal.
“The potential of Barking Riverside is enormous and for L&Q it is a significant step forward in delivering on its promise to build 100,000 homes over the next decade. We are delighted to be at the forefront of making this exciting vision a reality.”
The site is owned by Barking Riverside Ltd, a joint venture between the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the housing association L&Q. Until the 1990s it was home to three power stations and a large amount of landfill.
Notes to editors
- Until the 1990s, the Barking Riverside site was home to three power stations and a large landfill site
- As of July 2016, 734 new homes have been built within stage 1 of the earlier masterplan for the site, with a further 414 new homes under construction (for completion by summer 2017).
- The new masterplan approved by the Mayor will pave the way for an additional 9,652 homes and other facilities, including a new train station and transport interchange.
- The level of affordable housing has risen from 28 per cent in the initial application – considered under the previous mayoralty – to a baseline of 35 per cent, with provisions included to use further grant funding and viability reviews to increase affordable housing up to of 50 per cent.
- The area will be served by a £263 million extension to the existing Gospel Oak to Barking London Overground line. Funding has been secured for the Overground rail link and TfL recently submitted a Transport and Works Act Order to secure the powers and planning permission to implement it. An inquiry is scheduled for 18 October 2016.
- The scheme also includes scope for shops, restaurants, community and leisure facilities, public squares, healthcare and schools – alongside a new transport interchange which will connect the area to central London by rail, bus and river.
- The Mayor believes Barking Riverside could become a vibrant waterfront attraction, provided crucial retail and leisure elements are included in a wider waterfront masterplan that integrates the development with the rest of the city.
- Barking Riverside is a joint venture between the GLA and L&Q. L&Q is a charitable housing association and one of the UK’s leading residential developers. L&Q is committed to doubling the output of homes over the next five years.
- L&Q’s complementary offer means that it is able to at least quadruple output at Barking Riverside, utilising its financial strength to bring forward funding of infrastructure in addition to developing a broad market and affordable housing offer, creating places and supporting home ownership.