Peabody has unveiled detailed plans for the first 935 homes and substantial parts of a new five-acre urban park on the site of the old Ford stamping plant in Dagenham.
The first phase of development will be in the south-west corner of the site, next to Dagenham Dock rail station, and will serve as the gateway to the wider masterplan area. Delivered across multiple phases, this will deliver over 3,500 homes with 50% for affordable tenures for local people to rent and buy.
PRP, Pitman Tozer and Lyndon Goode are providing architectural variety and quality throughout phase one, with landscaping and public realm being led by HTA. Working with Earthwatch, the project team has already created a tiny forest with 600 trees (15 native species) in 200sqm which will grow into a mature landscape, transforming a disused industrial space into a biodiverse place to people living locally to enjoy.
Early work will also include over 1,600sqm of non-residential space to activate the neighbourhood, with things to do and places for people to meet and spend quality time.
Parks and play areas will also feature in Phase 1, contributing to 10 acres of public realm and landscaping with 15,000 sqm of playspace in the wider masterplan. This will include a heritage trail throughout the public realm and representation in the buildings to honour the legacy of the Dagenham women who led the fight for equal pay through strikes in 1968 and 1984.
Peabody’s Development Manager for the scheme, Victoria McAdam said: “It’s been a privilege to work with a strong female led design team, on a site that was pivotal to the women’s rights movement and paved the way for the Equal Pay Act over 50 years ago. It’s really important that we recognise the women of Dagenham and tell their stories through our design. Phase 1 will be the gateway to the wider masterplan, delivering much needed high-quality homes, new public realm and a variety of green spaces.”
Senior Partner at PRP and Mayoral Design Advocate, Manisha Patel commented: “Working with Peabody and the wider design team has been incredibly rewarding. Phase 1 will be the stepping stone in creating a contemporary place that reflects the history and heritage of the site with high-quality much needed open space and sustainable buildings working in synergy to support healthy lifestyles for its future residents.”
Director Landscape Design and Senior Associate at HTA, Natalia Roussou said: “Our designs for Dagenham Green Phase 1 propose a leafy new neighbourhood offering a variety of attractive open spaces. These include the first section of the new Urban Park, a natural pond as the focal point, a playground inspired by the natural history of the site, as well as the bustling Market Square which will be the new gateway to Dagenham Dock Station.
“At HTA we believe strongly in the importance of access to nature for communities, and we are excited to be part of a project that is prioritising healthy lifestyles with access to green space, recreation and play opportunities available to people of all ages, genders and abilities.”
Peabody Chief Executive Ian McDermott commented: “We want Dagenham Green to be an exceptional place to live, and I’m pleased with the progress we’re making in partnership with the community, the council and the GLA. This is an important site in Britain’s social history, and we’re going to reflect the heritage throughout the built and natural environment.
“We’ve already started breathing new life into the site, bringing the project team together to plant some of the trees and green spaces that are going to be integral to the new neighbourhood. The detailed plans for the first phase demonstrate the quality we’re aiming for, and we can’t wait to get started with delivering in the borough.”
Barking and Dagenham Council Leader Darren Rodwell said: “We talk about bricks and mortar, but it’s also about hearts and minds — with people at the centre of everything. The homes, streets and parks here will honour the amazing women of this borough who fought for fair pay and will be a symbol of progress in Barking and Dagenham. Future generations will live here with different aspirations and different incomes, but as one community. That is what Dagenham Green is about.”
It is anticipated that the scheme will start on site in Spring 2023.
