Barking Riverside, Thames Gateway

Client English Partnerships, Barking Riverside Ltd
Masterplanners Maxwan
Collaborators Karres and Brands Landscape architects
Traffic engineering PBA
Landscape and ecology LDA Design
Geotechnics Merebrook
Ground and Soil Engineering Hyder
Planning Barton Willmore Partners
Environmental Impact Assessment Waterman Environmental

The Barking Riverside development site is one of the largest previously developed sites along the Thames covering an area of approximately 150 ha with 2km of river frontage. The site, which is on the north bank of the Thames three miles east of the City of London, was previously occupied by three power stations and is, consequently, contaminated and affected by electricity pylon corridors with no public access to the river.

Extensive filling operations are ongoing to raise and remediate the site as part of the preparation works to enable infrastructure and housing development to commence in early 2008.

Barking Riverside Ltd, a joint venture company between English Partnerships and Bellway Homes, plan to deliver the site over the next 20 years and will create up to 10,800 homes, adding up to around 25,000 people. Facilities including a District Centre, local shops, healthcare facilities and leisure spaces, as well as three brand new schools, will be phased so that, from the beginning, new residents will find the key amenities in place.

All homes at Barking Riverside will have to reach high sustainability standards. energy efficient infrastructure will make low demands on natural resources and the timeframe allows an openness to new environmental techniques throughout the lifetime of the development.

The advantage of Barking Riverside’s large open spaces is that it allows for a balance between residential, recreational and ecological areas. The open space takes up 40 percent of the entire site and will be divided between the natural landscape and public parks shaped and integrated into neighbourhood areas, whilst areas of ecological interest remain protected. Access to the riverside is a priority, opening up 2km of riverfront to walkways and cycleways.

The scheme emphasises the use of public transport. it is expected thatbarking Riverside will be served by the proposed DLR extension to Dagenham and the East London Transit system. The potential of the Barking Jetty as a terminal for a future public ferry service will be considered as an integral part of the development proposals.

The jetty and the surrounding area have potential as a major leisure and recreational destination focused on the river, serving Barking, east London and the wider Metropolitan area.