London’s largest single-ownership housing scheme has been significantly expanded after planners approved a major uplift at Barking Riverside. Developer Barking Riverside Limited has secured revised outline consent to deliver up to 20,000 homes across the 443-acre east London site, almost doubling the original 10,800-home approval.
The decision by Barking and Dagenham Council paves the way for the long-term build-out of one of the capital’s most prominent brownfield regeneration projects.
Barking Riverside Limited is a joint venture between L&Q and the Greater London Authority, with Homes England having committed more than £170m in infrastructure funding to date.
The expansion comes at a time of subdued housing delivery across the capital, with just 5,000 open market homes completed in London last year.
More than 3,000 homes have already been delivered at the site, where several thousand residents are now living, and further phases are currently under construction.
The revised masterplan significantly increases ambition, incorporating over 4,000 affordable homes alongside a broad package of infrastructure and placemaking works, including two new public parks, a health facility, up to three new schools, two community hubs, commercial space and local centres, enhanced riverfront access, and improved walking and cycling routes.
The expansion builds on existing infrastructure already in place, notably the extension of the London Overground and the Thames Clippers river pier, both of which enabled earlier phases of development.
Developers are now positioning the next stage as a faster, lower-risk delivery programme supported by long-term institutional investment.
Leigh Johnson, managing director of BRL, said: “This successful planning consent marks a genuine step change for Barking Riverside and for the role it can play in London’s growth.”
He added: “The development offers a rare combination of scale, security and coordination… We are now positioned to de-risk, accelerate and expand.”
