A new £350 million riverside urban village in Barking, east London, has received planning permission. Developer Weston Homes and the Estates & Agency Group will deliver the new project, which will see the six-acre Abbey Retail Park regenerated to make way for over 1,000 homes. 

1,089 new homes of mixed tenure will be part of the urban village, as well as commercial/leisure space that includes a new riverside pub/restaurant; Max Whitlock MBE athletes training centre/gym; employment space; community space, including a community hall, local community events and children’s parties; and a community-hub/reception.

“The regeneration of this important Gateway site into a new waterfront urban-village adjacent to Barking Town Centre forms part of the Borough Council’s vision of bringing aspirational waterfront living to Barking,” said Bob Weston, Chairman & Chief Executive of Weston Homes.

“The £350 million ‘Abbey Quays’ is one of the biggest urban renewal projects in East London, delivering striking new buildings, riverside public spaces, inward investment and job creation. The regenerated site will provide much needed affordable local housing for local Londoners, further enhance the local community and compliment the existing centre,” added Bob.

Masterplanned and designed by architectural practice Broadway Malyan, the plans include 737 private sale one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses and 352 provided as affordable housing including affordable rent, shared ownership and discount market-sale tenures. Moreover, the apartments will be provided across 13 residential blocks split across three buildings, ranging from seven to 29 storeys.

The site will also feature a series of outdoor communal spaces, including a riverside walkway, linear park and two public squares.

Once a ‘Section 106’ legal agreement between the applicant and the Council is completed, planning permission can be issued.