Beam Park is set to be transformed into a “thriving” neighbourhood with 2,000 new homes and its own railway station.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, yesterday announced that he is looking for proposals to transform the 29 hectare site.

The former industrial land in South Dagenham is one of the largest areas earmarked for new development and could be bolstered by up to 5,000 houses in nearby developments.

It will be connected to central London through the c2c rail line with a new fully-funded station set to be built in partnership with Network Rail, Transport for London and c2c Rail, and £9 million from Transport for London’s Growth Fund.

London’s deputy mayor for housing and land, Richard Blakeway, said: “The development of Beam Park will result in a vibrant new neighbourhood with major transport links, providing jobs, activity and growth.

“We’re looking for some truly visionary proposals in response to this exciting opportunity.”

The Mayor is asking members of his London Development Panel to provide proposals on how to best develop the site, with 35 per cent of the homes expected to be affordable housing.

The area sits inside the Mayor’s London Riverside Opportunity Area alongside the Ford Stamping plant and Barking Riverside which aims to create 26,500 new homes and up to 16,000 jobs across Barking and Dagenham and Havering.

Barking and Dagenham council leader, Cllr Darren Rodwell, said: “We want nothing less than to create a new heart for Dagenham and therefore we are committed to making this area a destination of choice with high quality homes people aspire to.

“The award-winning new homes at Barking Riverside demonstrate the Council’s commitment to creating communities where people choose to live and we want to build on this success at Beam Park.”