A “new town” of up to 20,000 homes could be created on the banks of the Thames in east London.
Plans for thousands of flats, as well as two new schools, a hotel, care home, shops, parks, offices and student accommodation, have been submitted to Barking and Dagenham council.
The application by Barking Riverside Ltd, a partnership between the Mayor of London and housing association L&Q, is one of the largest in the UK.
It could see 443 acres of brownfield land, an area larger than Hyde Park, expanded to include homes for around 50,000 people on the site formerly occupied by Barking Power Station.
London Mayor Mr Khan described the City Hall-backed scheme as a “model for how to fix our housing crisis” and “a blueprint” for national Government to follow.
Mr Khan 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.
“I’m determined to do everything in my power to continue boosting homebuilding across London, as part of my plan to build a fairer, more prosperous city for all Londoners.”
The fresh proposals include 13,046 new homes, of which 35 per cent would be “affordable” (at least 20 per cent below local market rates). Two large parks, covering 50 acres and 19 acres respectively, would also be built as part of the development.
More than 6,000 residents already live in Barking Riverside after smaller schemes saw 2,700 houses built there. There is already planning permission for over 4,000 more.
Matthew Carpen, Managing Director of Barking Riverside Ltd, said £400million had been invested in the early stages of the project to “deliver major pieces of social and physical infrastructure”, including a new London Overground station and an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier.
Fiona Fletcher-Smith, Chief Executive Officer at L&Q, added: “The UK is in the grips of a housing and affordability crisis, which is getting worse. That has to change, and projects like Barking Riverside are part of the solution.
“This growing neighbourhood is delivering well-designed affordable homes and community infrastructure at scale. It is also a mission to create social and economic benefits, reduce inequality, and enable people to live better lives.”
“We believe Barking Riverside could be a blueprint for brownfield development across the country.
“None of this would be possible without partnerships, from L&Q and the Mayor of London to the many others contributing to the success of this place. Delivering the proposed new homes and infrastructure will be a wonderful next step at this exciting new neighbourhood.”
Barking and Dagenham council will decide on the plan early next year.
