A major regeneration scheme in East London has taken a decisive step forward after Berkeley Group secured full planning consent for a £250 million clean-up of the former Beckton gasworks site. The investment, led by its St William business, will pave the way for the delivery of 2,900 new homes as part of the ambitious Beckton Riverside development.
The 30-acre site, which has lain derelict since the 1960s, forms one of the largest brownfield regeneration opportunities in the capital. The extensive remediation and enabling works will prepare the land for transformation into a vibrant new community, complete with housing, green spaces, and modern infrastructure.
Dean Summers, managing director of St James & St William, described the milestone as a major step towards realising the long-term vision for Beckton Riverside. “This marks a significant step forward for this complex, long-term regeneration site. There is still a long way to go to bring this project into delivery, and we continue to work closely with the council, GLA, Homes England, and local stakeholders to develop a viable scheme that unlocks the site’s enormous potential,” he said.
The £250 million initial phase will see Berkeley Group remediate contaminated land, enhance flood defences, and deliver key infrastructure improvements to support future phases of the project. Plans also include the creation of a riverside park, community facilities, and a series of connected public spaces, opening up a new stretch of the Thames waterfront that has been closed off to the public for decades.
Summers added that unlocking the Beckton site could act as a catalyst for wider investment in the surrounding area and strengthen the case for the proposed DLR extension to Beckton and Thamesmead.
If all goes to plan, construction on the first homes is expected to begin in 2028, with residents moving in by 2030.
The Beckton Riverside project represents a cornerstone in East London’s regeneration story, transforming a disused industrial site into a sustainable new neighbourhood. Once complete, it will deliver thousands of homes, boost local employment, and breathe new life into one of London’s most strategically significant riverside locations.
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