Barking town centre will soon undergo a major redevelopment, as developers, Benson Elliott plan to build over 800 new homes.
The 138,000 square metre site at the top of Vicarage Field will be transformed, with flats built on top of a new-look shopping centre.
When complete, it could boast up to 855 new homes, ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom flats.
Alongside the homes, there are also plans to build a 150-room hotel at the centre of the development, overlooking the main public space.
A three-form entry primary school – complete with rooftop playground – is set to be built, while there is also the intention for a new healthcare centre on the corner of Vicarage Drive and Ripple Road.
Peter Cornforth, Director at Benson Elliot, said: “The redevelopment of Vicarage Field will transform what is currently an ageing 80s shopping centre into a new residential and commercial destination for east London.
“Our comprehensive masterplan was approved by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in 2017 and we are delighted to say that we are now progressing with the first phase and the reserved matters process across the project.
“Barking town centre has already undergone significant change in the last decade and the transformation of Vicarage Field will help to secure its long-term future, providing new facilities and benefits for local people.”
Benson Elliot has said it will work to help businesses currently based in Vicarage Field to find alternative premises before construction work starts, and that it feels the redevelopment is an “ideal opportunity to refresh the current tenant mix”.
Under the agreed plans in 2017, at least 10 per cent of homes must be affordable – for sale or rent at 80 per cent of market value.
The intention is to deliver a largely car-free scheme, given the site’s proximity to Barking station, but there will be space allocated for wheelchair and blue badge users, as well as for cycle storage.
The redevelopment work is expected to take four to five years to complete and could begin as early as next year.
