The Planning Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council approved two applications for new housing developments and one retrospective application for a car wash. The committee approved the construction of a part 8-storey, part 30-storey building with 192 homes on London Road in Barking, and also approved reserved matters for 651 dwellings at Barking Riverside. A retrospective application for a car wash on Coppen Road was also approved.

London Road Development

The committee approved a planning application for a part 8-storey, part 30-storey building at 14-34 London Road, Barking, which will include 192 build-to-rent flats and ground-floor commercial space.

• Affordable Housing: The development will include just over 16% affordable housing, which Cllr Farouk Chowdhury, Minority Group Manager, questioned, citing the 20,000 people on the council's waiting list and the need to build more than the current rate of less than 35%. Mr Alex Taylor, BFAST Development Management Team, responded that the scheme had undergone an extensive viability assessment, and the current proposal represented the maximum level of affordable housing possible. He added that a review mechanism was in place to claw back additional affordable housing should the scheme's viability improve. Cllr Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development, called it regrettable that there was no social housing, but that intermediate housing was better than nothing .
• Section 106 Contributions: The development will generate £2.1 million in community infrastructure levy (CIL) payments and £1.5 million in Section 106 contributions¹ for local parks, education, and health infrastructure.
• Community Facilities: The development includes a new pedestrian walkthrough between London Road and James Street, landscaping, seating, and public art. It will also retain a nighttime venue in the town centre, with conditions to mitigate any negative impact on residential amenity.
• Bus Stop Relocation: Concerns were raised about the bus stop's location, with a local councillor objecting to a proposed move towards Maritime House. Mr Taylor clarified that the location would be determined in consultation with Transport for London (TfL) and the council's highways team, considering safety and accessibility.
• Rooftop Access: Public access to the rooftop garden will be secured by planning conditions, with a management strategy to balance public access and residents' use of the space.
• Deuce Lounge: Cllr Geddes asked about progress in conversations with the Deuce Lounge, a nightclub currently on the site. Mr Chris Horn, from applicant Berryville Limited, said that while there was no commitment from the current operators to return, the new venue would be a significant improvement, and they were open to discussions.
• Dentist: Mr Horn also said that they were happy to discuss with the dentist whether there was any benefit to them from the development.
• Objections: Mr Paul Scott, speaking on behalf of Barking and Dagenham Heritage Conservation Group, raised concerns about the demolition of a 1930s terrace block, the height of the tower, and the lack of social housing. He suggested retrofitting the existing block instead.
• Build-to-Rent: Mr Barry Coughlan, BFAST development management team head, clarified that London Plan policy seeks intermediate discount market rent as the affordable tenure within build-to-rent schemes, making social rented housing in this scheme unsupported by policy.
• Decision: The committee voted to approve the application, with one abstention.

Barking Riverside Development

The committee also approved a reserved matters application relating to plots 210A and 210B at Barking Riverside, concerning the erection of 651 dwellings and associated amenities.

• Affordable Housing: The development will include 58% affordable housing, exceeding the 35% minimum provision required by the sub-framework plan (SFP). This comprises 30% social rent, 28% London Living Rent² and 42% market units.
• Unit Mix: 25% of the units will be three-bed family-sized units, complying with the SFP.
• Housing Quality: All homes meet minimum space standards, with 53% being dual aspect. The site benefits from large central courtyards providing on-site play areas.
• Poor Doors : In response to a consultation response, Mr Ben Farrant, BFAS development management team, clarified that there would be no poor doors ³ within the development, and that the scheme has been designed as tenure-blind with no quality difference between the tenures.
• Four-Bedroom Homes: Cllr Donna Lumsden, Deputy Chair, Health Scrutiny Committee, asked why there were no four-bedroom homes. Mr Farrant responded that the development needed to comply with the original planning consent for 10,800 homes, which required a minimum of 25% three-bed units but had no requirement for four-bed units.
• Management: Mr Farrant clarified that the management of the site would fall to L&Q, Barking Riverside Limited (BRL), and a future resident group, not the local authority.
• Decision: The committee voted to approve the application unanimously.

Coppen Road Car Wash

The committee approved a retrospective application for a change of use of a commercial unit to a car wash at Coppen Road, Dagenham, including a metal canopy and drainage works.

• Objections: The application received 13 objections, mainly concerning water splash and runoff, and additional parking and traffic pressure.
• Mitigation: Mr Charlie Gao, BFIRST development management team, said that environmental protection officers had not raised concerns about noise or operating hours, and transport officers had not observed significant disruption. He added that a condition was recommended to ensure the car wash operates in accordance with a submitted site management plan, and that a splash protection screen would be installed to prevent water runoff.
• Thames Water: Thames Water did not raise concerns but recommended that petrol and oil interceptors should be fitted.
• Decision: The committee voted to approve the application unanimously.