According to research by Foxtons based on the UK House Price Index, Barking and Dagenham is one of the most affordable boroughs in London[1], with the regeneration of Barking transforming the area into a prime property hotspot. On Saturday 21^st October, L&Q, in partnership with the Barking and Dagenham Council, launched the first phase of Weavers Quarter, which will deliver 221 brand new homes available with the shared ownership scheme.

As a nod to the area’s industrial history, the name Weavers Quarter commemorates Barking Jute Works, also known as the Abbey Works, which closed in 1891 and was reputed to be the largest factory in the UK. Weavers Quarter is an ambitious regeneration project on the Gascoigne Estate, creating 1,575 new homes. The first phase will offer a range of accommodation, including one, two and three bedrooms, available for shared ownership, each built to a high specification and to improve environmental sustainability.

Alison Cormack, Resident Liaison Officer for construction company, Bouygues UK at Weavers Quarter comments: “With the launch of phase one coming soon, it is a very exciting time for the Gascoigne Estate. There is already a strong community within the estate and I am delighted that L&Q, in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council, is placing an emphasis on this during the first phase of the regeneration. It will be later extended with open green space, two new state-of-the-art schools and community facilities with new phases yet to start.

It is part of my role to ensure plans for the estate are communicated well to residents and every Thursday, I attend a coffee morning at the Barking Learning Centre which is an opportunity for residents to have their questions answered. I am also local to the area and it is a pleasure to see the estate transforming, creating a positive future for its residents.”

L&Q, in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council, is developing phase one currently and have a strong vision to transform the Gascoigne Estate. At the heart of the development will be a brand new 690-pupil primary school, an 1,850-pupil secondary school, a community centre, retail and office space, as well as a public square. In addition, a Community Counts fund is currently available providing grants of up to £500 to individuals, groups and organisations who work with people living on the Gascoigne Estate.

Tony Harker, Director of Sales and Customer Services at L&Q East region comments: “Launching the first phase of Weavers Quarter this autumn marks a major milestone in this regeneration project which will transform the Gascoigne Estate. The community is central to the redevelopment, creating an attractive new neighbourhood featuring brand new facilities and open spaces. With £300 million being invested into the area, including Barking town centre, the regeneration will also create more opportunities and jobs for local residents.”

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Barking and Dagenham Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Investment, said: “This is the first phase of the transformation of this part of the borough to deliver a totally new neighbourhood – 1,575 new homes, two schools and much more.”

Director of Be First, Pat Hayes, whose team is project managing the scheme, added: “Shared ownership provides a truly affordable option for people wanting to get on the property ladder, so we’re delighted to be delivering these much-needed new homes.  They are the first of some 50,000 homes of all types that we expect to be delivering for the borough over the next 20 years.”

Barking station is less than half a mile from Weavers Quarter, connecting to the City in just 15 minutes. The station also connects directly to Westminster on the District Line in less than 40 minutes and to Liverpool Street on the Hammersmith & City Line in only 25 minutes. The station also provides an Overground service. Bus services are regular, taking passengers further into Barking and central London and residents can reach the M25 in less than 15 minutes.