Zjan Shirinian BULLDOZERS will rip through swathes of Gascoigne Estate in an attempt to banish its negative image once and for all. At least 200 homes will be demolished in the first phase of the 15-year project. New medium and high-rise blocks will be built, with the n

Zjan Shirinian

BULLDOZERS will rip through swathes of Gascoigne Estate in an attempt to banish its negative image once and for all.

At least 200 homes will be demolished in the first phase of the 15-year project.

New medium and high-rise blocks will be built, with the number of homes on the estate rising by as much as 50 per cent.

The Gascoigne area, Barking, is among the most prolific for crime in the country according to a report set to go before Barking and Dagenham Council's executive on Tuesday.

The regeneration masterplan is being heralded as a chance to give the estate, developed between 1966 and 1971, a major makeover.

The report to councillors reads: "Key to the council's vision is that the perception of Gascoigne as an 'estate' should disappear, with the area becoming integrated with its surroundings as a largely residential area."

The first phase of the development, set to move with momentum in the summer and take five years, will focus on an area in the north of the estate, along with the Kingsbridge site in the south-west of the estate in Ripple Road.

Demolition notices will be served in 2010 according to published plans, providing a �9million grant is given by the London Development Agency to in part allow the council to buy back homes bought under the right to buy scheme.

A further bid for �20million has been made to the homes and communities agency.

The regeneration report says: "The experiences of the next 10-15 years will affect every young person on the estate, in some cases for the whole of their childhood and teenage years.