Be First, the regeneration arm of Barking and Dagenham Council, along with partner Weston Homes, has reached a key milestone on their Town Quay development, set to bring 147 new homes to Barking, a borough in London. Building on the 11-storey block, which Be First has acquired on behalf of the Council, has now reached the top floor, and a ‘Topping Out’ event was held on-site to celebrate.
The scheme will provide 62 affordable units on a ‘turnkey’ basis to the Council, whereby Weston Homes will build and deliver the completed units to the Council. Of these, 29 of the affordable apartments will meet the London Affordable Rent standard and 33 will be shared ownership.
Once completed, the whole Town Quay site will be transformed into a €62m (Gross Development Value) mixed-use development providing 147 newly built apartments, affordable and market sale, and 1,000m2 of commercial space with 42% affordable housing designed around a public plaza overlooking Town Quay and the River Roding in an area the Leader of the Council describes as the ‘Roding Riviera’.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “The Town Quay and Abbey Quay projects show how private-public partnerships can work effectively to deliver high-quality affordable housing for local families, alongside market sale housing and commercial units for new local retailers and other businesses. These two landmark projects are part of the ongoing regeneration of the River Roding waterfront where it flows through Barking. Previously the River Roding in Barking was comprised of derelict industrial land, and it was our vision at Barking and Dagenham Council to see it revitalised through inward investment and transformed into a new destination providing homes, commercial units and landscaped gardens for the local community. Now this local waterfront has been opened up and returned to the people of Barking.”
David Harley, Interim Director of Development at Be First said: “Town Quay is an important historic site overlooking the River Roding and Abbey Green. At Be First, we are continuing to deliver for Barking and Dagenham, with modern, well-built, safe and affordable new homes. It’s great to reach this milestone in spite of the current economic challenges and in addition to the over 900 homes Be First will complete this year.”
Bob Weston, Chairman & Managing Director of Weston Homes, said: “Weston Homes is delighted to be partnering with Barking and Dagenham Council to help regenerate the River Roding waterfront and open up the river for the local community with new homes, commercial units and waterfront gardens and plazas. Town Quay is a flagship project demonstrating how private-public partnerships can deliver both market sales and affordable homes for the benefit of local people and the economy of Barking. I am pleased to welcome Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of LBBD, to Town Quay as it is his leadership and vision which has been instrumental in making Barking one of the best places to live in London, which was recognised recently by The Sunday Times in their annual Best Places to Live awards.”
Image provided by Lawrence PR.
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