Some 3,500 homes will be built on the site of the old Ford stamping plant after Peabody was granted permission for the first phase of Dagenham Green.
Some 1,640 of the homes have been marked as ‘affordable’ tenures for local people to rent and buy. Phase one will bring forward just over a quarter of the total new homes, and of these 935 homes 35% of which will be ‘affordable’.
Subject to agreement from the Environment Agency, the first phase will be in the south-west corner of the site in the borough of Barking and Dagenham, next to Dagenham Dock railway station, and will serve as the gateway to the wider area which secured outline planning approval in March 2022.
Housebuilder The Hill Group has entered a joint venture partnership with Peabody to deliver the project, and will start work on the first phase early next year.
James McMylor, regional managing director of development at Peabody, said: “This is an exciting step towards the creation of a vibrant and welcoming new community at the site of the former Ford stamping plant which has been made possible by a truly collaborative working with local people, the council and the Mayor of London.
“Peabody is committed to ensuring that Dagenham Green community works for new and existing residents, many of whom have had their say about the proposals during consultation, helping us better understand the aspirations and needs of the local community.
“The site will reflect the rich heritage of Dagenham, focusing on the natural landscape history, automotive history, and cultural history of the area. Phase one draws on inspiration from the marshland and will honour the legacy of the women who took part in the Ford sewing machinists’ strikes.
“It’s really important for us to recognise and build on this history while delivering much needed new high-quality homes, new public realm and a variety of green spaces.”
Parks and play areas are a feature of phase 1 of the development, contributing to 10 acres of public realm and landscaping with 15,000 sqm of play space in the wider masterplan.
This will include a heritage trail throughout the public realm and design representation in the buildings to honour the legacy of the Dagenham women who led the fight for equal pay through strikes in 1968 and 1984.
Homes will be centred around these green open spaces, including a new urban park which will include a large pond to reflect the area’s waterside heritage with a boardwalk, framed by terraces, and open space.
There will also be children’s play space inspired by the water and natural landscape, and a market square to connect Dagenham Green to the nearby Dagenham Dock railway station.
And there will also be more than 1,600sqm of non-residential space, with new cycle and pedestrian routes to improve connectivity.
Andy Hill, chief executive for The Hill Group, said: “This major new project will have a transformative impact on the Dagenham area and create an exciting new community for East London.
“We look forward to leveraging our extensive experience and expertise in delivering high-quality large-scale regeneration projects to provide a scheme that the people of Barking & Dagenham can be proud of.
“We are also delighted to be further strengthening our partnership with Peabody, with whom we have an excellent track record of collaboratively delivering best-in-class urban developments.”
