Wates Residential has been appointed by Be First to build 386 high-quality homes at Gascoigne West Phase 2.
The development will involve the demolition of three existing blocks and the construction of five new blocks and townhouses that will contain mixed-tenure homes, 228 of which will be affordable and with rents starting as low as £135 a week.
Planning approval has already been granted and enabling works are due to start. Construction is expected to begin in July 2021, with completion at the beginning of 2024.
The development has looked to reduce its carbon dioxide footprint at every level and goes over and above environmental targets, whilst seeking to meet the Biodiversity Net Gain and Urban Greening Factor for the new London Plan with green walls and wildflowers that are in line with the Borough’s local provenance list. The cumulative on-site savings of carbon dioxide also go above and beyond thanks to being part of Barking’s first district heating network. Materials have also been chosen that use less carbon to produce, such as the timber frames that will be used for the townhouses.
The project on the Be First Development Framework on the Gascoigne West Estate in Barking with Phase One of the programme including the development of 200 new homes on the former 1960s estate.
Iain Ferguson, Commercial Director for Be First, commented: "We’re very happy to continue our relationship with Wates and look forward to working with them to deliver the next phase of our pioneering redevelopment of the Gascoigne neighbourhood.
This phase forms part of one of the largest council housing programmes in London and will be among the greenest, most liveable places in the capital for ordinary working people.”
Helen Bunch, Executive Managing Director, Wates Residential, added: "The Gascoigne West Phase 2 development will deliver much-needed high-quality new homes where people can live, work and thrive. At Wates Residential we believe everyone deserves a great place to live and we are excited to be working with Be First once again to bring growth and support the long-term development of Barking.
We pride ourselves on the social value that we can generate from our developments. So far during Phase 1 we have supported over 500 students with educational activities and invested 4,000 hours in supporting people in the community, and we look forward to investing in the Borough further.”