Barking and Dagenham approves Crown House redevelopment scheme

Plans to demolish Crown House in the centre of Barking have been approved, paving the way for nearly 400 new homes to be built in two tower blocks on the site of the 1960s office building and an adjacent car park, including nearly 200 affordable units.

BeFirst, Barking and Dagenham council’s housebuilding operation, owns the car park site and will build 169 low-cost, affordable homes and shared ownership flats, made up of 80 one-bedroom, 71 two-bedroom and 18 three-bedroom flats.

Lightquote, a company that owns the leasehold to Crown House, will build 95 one-bedroom and 132 two-bedroom flats for private rent in the new building on the Crown House site.

Two buildings will be put up on the Crown House and car park sites, one 20 storeys high and the second 29 storeys, with “shoulder” buildings ranging from nine to 25 storeys.

BeFirst and Lightquote said they expected to appoint contractors for the jobs next month.

Darren Rodwell, leader of Barking and Dagenham council, said the demolition of Crown House was a vital part of the authority’s plans to boost the number of affordable homes and rejuvenate Barking town centre.

“The new development will create 396 top quality homes with 169 affordable and council owned apartments for local people.

“We are putting our money where our mouth is by building for the many and not the few.”