Barking Riverside Ltd has submitted a new Outline Planning Application that could see up to 20,000 new homes delivered at Barking Riverside – potentially creating a community of up to 50,000 people.

 

The new Outline Planning Application supports Government promises to instigate the largest housebuilding programme since the post war period. The new Outline Planning Application also reflects the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s recently adopted Local Plan. 

 

The Mayor of London has labelled our City Hall-backed scheme “an inspiring model for how to fix our housing crisis” and “a blueprint” for national Government to follow, as Ministers set out plans for a fresh generation of new towns across the country.

 

Set on the banks of the River Thames, south of Barking in east London, Barking Riverside is a pioneering partnership between City Hall and housing association L&Q. The development has benefitted from significant transport extensions, including the Barking Riverside Overground station and the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier, both supporting mixed-modal journeys into central London since they opened in 2022. 

 

The new Outline Planning Application sets out a vision to almost double the number of homes at Barking Riverside to 20,000, up from the 10,800 previously permitted. It also proposes enhanced green spaces, better connectivity in and around the neighbourhood, two additional primary schools, and better access to the River Thames.

 

With a significant amount of retail, employment and community space, the new Outline Planning Application will complement and enhance the amenities already delivered at Barking Riverside. These include five schools – one of which is an Ofsted “Outstanding” secondary school – nurseries, two community hubs, convenience stores, a coffee shop, and play spaces.

 Two new parks – the 50-acre Ripple Park and 19-acre River Park – are proposed within the new Outline Planning application. Alongside this, we will continue to enhance the riverfront, creating amenity areas and promenades that respond to Barking Riverside’s unique location. We will support this by improving walking and cycling routes within the site, including a number of “green connections” that enable residents to access the River Thames in a quicker and greener way.

 

We are proud to receive the support of the Mayor of London, who said: “Barking Riverside is a prime example of a new town in London, a pioneering partnership delivering thousands of new homes for Londoners.”

“It’s an inspiring model of how to fix our housing crisis, with new public transport connections, schools, green spaces and a town centre making this a blueprint for how the next generation of English new towns could work.”

 

We have invested over £400m into the early stages of Barking Riverside to deliver major pieces of social and physical infrastructure, including a new London Overground station and an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier. 

We have much more we wish to deliver, with the investment to date setting the foundation for the significant growth that is now proposed. We look forward to delivering our new masterplan for 20,000 homes, together with the amenities and services needed to support and attract a vibrant and growing population – for the benefit of both our community here and the whole of east London.