L&Q and Countryside's Beam Park housing scheme given formal planning

L&Q and Countryside have received formal planning permission for Beam Park, the 3,000-home scheme set to be built on the site of the old Ford manufacturing plant in east London.

At nearly 72 acres the joint venture scheme was the second-largest housing project to be given planning approval last year. The formal recognition of the scheme was given after a section 106 agreement had been signed.

More than half the development – 1,513 units – is earmarked to be affordable homes.

Construction is due to start within weeks and phase one of the scheme is due to be completed in 2022, although some homes will be ready for residents in 2020.

Andy Rowland, L&Q’s east region managing director, said the planning thumbs up brought its plans for Beam Park “one step closer to reality.

“The redevelopment of this site, which will provide 50% affordable housing, will make a substantial contribution towards London’s housing needs.

Countryside’s head of the housebuilder’s partnerships south east operation Robert Wilkinson said Beam Park would play “a key role in delivering not just affordable homes but also vital infrastructure”.

The project had been called in last year by London’s deputy mayor for planning Jules Pipe after Havering council had rejected the plans, although neighbouring Barking & Dagenham council had given its approval.

Pipe said that “having weighed up the evidence available and given the overall importance of the application” he had decided to grant his approval.

When completed in 2030 the masterplan will include a new railway station, a medical centre, two schools and other community services.