Fears raised over rising density at Barking Riverside

Concerns that have only intensified following the recent decision of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) Planning Committee to approve an increase in density.

At the recent planning meeting, residents and community groups expressed strong objections to the intensification of development.

Despite these concerns, the plans have moved forward.

This decision has heightened anxiety among those who live and work in the area and who will be directly affected by these changes.

As someone actively involved in local community groups, I share the concerns raised at that meeting.

The proposed 13,046 housing units on Renwick Road represent an unsustainable level of density in an already congested area.

There is a clear risk that existing infrastructure will be overwhelmed unless there is substantial and guaranteed investment in essential services such as NHS facilities, schools, transport links, community centres and accessible green spaces.

There must also be a stronger commitment to delivering genuinely affordable social rented housing.

These concerns are echoed more broadly by Duncan Bowie, former Greater London Authority lead planner, who has questioned the suitability of such large-scale, high-density development.

He has highlighted ongoing issues with the Barking Riverside masterplan, particularly the lack of adequate social infrastructure and appropriate housing mix. He has also suggested that lower and medium rise housing would better serve the needs of the community.

Environmental risks further compound these concerns.

Barking Riverside is in a flood risk area, and climate change is expected to increase water levels over time. Building high density residential blocks in such conditions raises serious long term safety questions.

Fire safety is another critical issue.

Many proposed buildings exceed heights that can be effectively reached by London Fire Brigade ladders, typically around 10 storeys, increasing potential risks to residents.

In conclusion, while new housing is necessary, the current approach prioritises quantity over quality and safety.

The recent approval of increased density should be reconsidered to ensure development is sustainable, balanced and truly serves the long-term interests of the community.

• Paul Scott is a Thames View resident and member of Barking and Dagenham Heritage and Conservation Group.

In response to Mr Scott's column, Sara Bloch, community partnership lead at Barking Riverside, issued the following response.

"As Master Developer, Barking Riverside Limited remains committed to maintaining an open dialogue with the community as the project progresses - we do this through a range of community partnership projects, as well as through our regular Community Conversation Time events.

 "The recent outline planning application submitted by Barking Riverside Limited was approved by Barking & Dagenham’s Planning Committee, with no objections from statutory consultees, including the bodies responsible for health, education, transport, flood risk, and safety. 

 "The prospective homes will be located across the wider site - an area which is larger than Hyde Park - ensuring the scale of the development is appropriate and evenly paced.

 "The plans are also supported by significant investment in social infrastructure, which has been communicated through in person and online resident engagements. There are obligations in place to ensure the area grows responsibly, including new financial contributions to support healthcare, education and community centres, as well as transport provision. This is an important planning principle, where any development must demonstrate that it can mitigate its impact. Fundamentally, the proposals would not have been recommended for approval if this wasn’t the case. 

"Also, as has also been communicated, we will welcome a new restaurant and GP surgery on site in the coming months.

"In relation to flood risk and the foreshore works, the measures that are now underway were approved unanimously by the Planning Committee last year and are required to meet wider environmental and resilience policies. This includes the Thames 2100 Plan, and follows extensive engagement with residents, the Environment Agency and other public bodies.

"We will continue to engage with residents as the plans emerge. We’ve recently launched a co-design group to consider public art interventions along the foreshore, which Mr Scott has been invited to join. We hope to work together to create a place the whole community can feel proud of."