Housebuilder Weston Homes plots £300m riverside scheme in Barking

Housebuilder Weston Homes is looking to deliver a new £300m residential development with associated leisure elements in Barking.

The company has secured a deal with property business Estates & Agency to acquire two neighbouring land sites covering six acres on the edge of the town centre.

The plans include more than 1,000 new homes of mixed tenure on the former Abbey Retail Park, bordered by London Road and Abbey Road.

Weston Homes could also create leisure facilities such as a new gastro-pub or restaurant and retail space, supported by a redeveloped waterfront promenade, pedestrian pathways and landscaped grounds.

Bob Weston, chairman and chief executive of Weston Homes, said: “The regeneration of this important gateway site into a new waterfront urban village adjacent to Barking town centre forms part of the borough council’s vision of bringing aspirational waterfront living and regeneration to Barking.

“The Abbey Retail Park is within the so-called ‘Barking Smile regeneration zone’ and the redevelopment of the site will create a vibrant new community in Barking, contributing to the area’s ongoing transformation.”

He added: “Attracting new people and inward investment, this new residential destination for Barking will provide private sale homes and much needed affordable housing for local people and families on lower household incomes.”

Estates & Agency Properties Limited chairman John Rosefield commented: “Having been involved in Barking and is regeneration for so many years, we are delighted to have entrusted the redevelopment of this gateway site to Weston Homes, who have established a proven record for quality and successful delivery.”

Weston Homes will submit a full planning application this summer. If approved, construction will start in 2019.