Wates Residential has been appointed to deliver a £55m project in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham after winning a place on the pioneering Be First Development Framework.
The national developer was chosen for Phase One of the Gascoigne Estate West project in Barking, east London, after demonstrating its ability to deliver high quality affordable homes and build genuine partnerships.
The proposed plans will see part of the 1960s estate redeveloped as 200 new homes with over 40% affordable. Work is expected to start in February next year and continue into 2022.
Iain Ferguson, Commercial Director of Be First, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Wates Residential on this flagship project which will deliver affordable homes for local people.
“Wates Residential has a great track record in delivering quality homes and pursuing progressive employment policies which is something we’re really keen on at Be First.”
Paul Nicholls, Managing Director of Wates Residential, commented: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen for the Be First Development Framework having demonstrated our ability to form genuine partnerships and create great homes for local communities.
“Through this project, we will deliver new high quality affordable homes and will create a lasting legacy for the community in Barking through our investment in education, skills and training.”
Wates Residential is one of three contractors to be awarded a place on Lot 2 of the framework for major projects of £10m and over.
The framework, which is expected to be worth up to £1bn over the next four years, is designed to accelerate development and growth in the borough, and deliver thousands of affordable homes for local people.
As part of the project, Wates Residential will also deliver a lasting legacy for the Barking community through its investment in education, skills and training.
The social value programme kicked off with Wates’ Community and Conservation Week from 17th – 21st June. This is a nationwide effort by Wates staff to volunteer their time in supporting the local communities where they work. The Wates Residential team joined forces with supply chain partner, Stratton & Hesler, to create new planters for the nursery at Gascoigne Children’s Centre and give its playhouse (pictured above) a fresh lick of paint for the children to enjoy. In total, the project generated over £2,600 in social value.
Further commitments include recruiting a minimum of 20% of local work force, creating at least 20 jobs for local people and addressing the skills shortage with a wider education programme that will run through local schools from year 6 upwards.
Wates Residential will also promote job vacancies to those who currently face barriers to employment, in addition to providing work experience placements and careers advice sessions, as well as providing a number of apprenticeships in key traditional areas including bricklaying, and carpentry, as well as in business administration.
The developer will also upskill the workforce by helping staff gain qualifications including NVQs and industry certificates. It will maximise opportunities for under-represented groups and will reach out to those who face barriers to employment.
It is one of a number of projects for Wates Residential in the capital. Amongst its partnerships is a £1bn joint venture regeneration project with Havering Council, which will deliver around 5,000 homes over the next 12 to 15 years.
The appointment also follows Wates Residential’s successful regeneration of Larner Road into the award-winning Erith Park in Bexley.
