Boroughs | Barking and Dagenham

Barking and Dagenham

Map

Boroughs

Map Key

  • Investment Opportunities
  • Opportunity Areas
  • Area of Intensification
  • Central activity Zone

Town Centres

  • International or metropolitan
  • Major
  • District
  • Borough Boundary
  • Green Belt
  • Metropolitan open land / Other open spaces
  • Rail station
  • Railway track
  • Foreshore
  • Water

Investment Opportunities

  1. Barking Town Centre, IG11
  2. Dagenham Dock, RM9
  3. Thames Road and River Road, IG11

Investment Opportunities

Barking Town Centre, IG11

Barking Town Centre, IG11

Barking Town Centre is changing fast. There is superb accessibility provided by the District and Hammersmith & City tube lines, London Overground and c2c national rail routes serving Barking station. A regeneration strategy setting out a ten-year vision was adopted in October 2020 including a food focus linked to the City of London’s famous wholesale markets moving to Dagenham Dock. Barking has a fascinating history and strong sense of place. The River Roding was central to Barking’s formation and economy but has been neglected for decades. The plan is for it to be restored to prominence with new homes, commercial space and an excellent public realm. The redevelopment of Vicarage Field Shopping Centre is a key investment opportunity.

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Dagenham Dock, RM9

Dagenham Dock, RM9

The former power station at Dagenham Dock has been purchased by the City of London and a planning application has been approved for the relocation of the City’s three wholesale markets — Billingsgate (Fish), Smithfield (Meat) and New Spitalfields (Fruit and vegetables). This will unlock opportunities to transform the food sector in the Borough. Dagenham Dock has river and rail freight access and developable land for employment uses. Be First and the Council will be working with partners to unlock the area’s full potential.

Thames Road and River Road, IG11

Thames Road and River Road, IG11

This is a key opportunity area in the south of the borough, located to the south of the A13 and to the north of Barking Riverside, one of London’s largest brownfield redevelopment sites. Supplementary Planning Guidance sets the vision for the development of this area as an exemplar mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood. The council has already commenced delivery on two schemes in the area, including an innovative stacked industrial scheme called Industria. Hackman/MBS have taken on a lease at a key site in this area for additional studio space, and film production began onsite in 2022. 

London is moving East and Barking and Dagenham is at the heart of this change with a record number of cranes across the Borough’s skyline. With 8 Transformation Areas, the Borough is undergoing the largest change since the building of the Becontree Estate 100 years ago.

Be First, the Council’s regeneration company, has been operational for 5 years and has delivered a high proportion of the Capital’s new Council homes.  Be First is keen to work with the private sector on unlocking opportunities for further growth.  

Population

Population projections 2021 218,900

Population projections 2050 304,358

Homes

London plan new homes (ten-year target) 19,440

Building council homes for Londoners (four-year programme) 565

  • Barking and Dagenham is at the centre of the capital’s economic resurgence, with projects underway such as the consolidation of London’s three key wholesale markets,  the construction of one of the UK’s largest data centres and University College London’s amazing PEARL research facility.
  • The borough is a centre of the creative industries, with work having begun on the largest film studios in London, bringing an estimated 1,800 jobs to the area and £35m per year to the local economy. The facility will be fully operational by 2024.
  • Infrastructure investment has resulted in a new London Overground station and Uber by Thames Clipper pier opened at Barking Riverside in 2022 alongside the operation of Elizabeth Line services at Chadwell Heath.  Barking Station, one of the busiest in the UK, is undergoing works to restore the Listed structure to it former glory and provide new facilities for passengers.  

James Coulstock, Strategic Director of Inclusive Growth

James.coulstock@lbbd.gov.uk

“We’re proud to be a focus for regeneration and economic development in London, with hugely exciting developments on the horizon, such as the Thames Freeport; the planned arrival of three of the city’s largest wholesale markets to the area; as well as the capital’s largest film studio development for 25 years. The local community is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to also be the capital’s biggest builder of council homes, with Barking and Dagenham alone now responsible for one in five of all new affordable homes being built by councils in London. Our borough is a hive of economic and community activity; we are open for business and to new investment and opportunity for all.”

  • Sectors: New opportunities are being unlocked in film, food, the green economy and other 21st century sectors to strengthen and build the local economy for the benefit of residents and the whole of Barking and Dagenham.
  • Places: Work is underway to modernise and intensify the borough’s industrial space and regenerate its retail centres – including an innovative stacked industrial unit (‘Industria’), new affordable workspace and the development of a vibrant food and cultural offer in Barking Town Centre.
  • A strong foundation: We’re strengthening local supply chains, improving essential services and helping businesses to better retain staff through support for the care, construction, retail, hospitality and leisure sectors to improve performance, job quality and sustainability.
  • Inclusive business models: we’re building partnerships with new anchor institutions committed to the borough, and using our planning, procurement and convening powers to create opportunities for local people.
  • Pathways: we’re working with trusted local education and employment providers including CU London and Barking and Dagenham College to create quality employment and training pathways into growth sectors, and providing support to ensure all residents can access new opportunities.