Barking shopping centre development could create 1,000 jobs

Members of the public view the plans at Vicarage Field shopping centre (Image: Archant)

The shopping centre unveiled plans for massive redevelopment featuring up to 850 homes – ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments – built around 200,000sq ft of retail space.

Proposals include a six to eight-screen cinema alongside a 300-capacity music venue and 150-room hotel, plus a range of restaurants and bars.

The site, which was once the home of Barking Football Club, will also house a three-form entry primary school, health facilities an enterprise centre for start-up businesses and a cycle hub.

The plans could add £50million a year to the town centre’s economy, and developers are hoping to ensure at least half of the total jobs created will go to local residents.

An artist's impression of how Vicarge Field will look (Image: Archant)

More than 100 apprenticeship places will also be on offer during construction, with the highest buildings set to be 36 storeys.

Peter Cornforth, director of retail at Benson Elliot – the property fund manager that bought the centre for £35million last year – said: “We are very excited about our plans for Vicarage Field and this fantastic opportunity to sow the seeds for the regeneration of this key east London metropolitan centre.

“We are encouraging as many people as possible to come along to the consultation events to tell us what they think of our plans.”

All public feedback must be received by March 31 and could influence the final designs, with a planning application set to be handed into the council later this spring.

Visit newvicaragefield.co.uk for more information.

Plans will also be on display in the centre’s upper level mall tomorrow between 12pm and 4pm.

What do you think of the plans?

Email your views to mark.shales@archant.co.uk or call 020 8477 3824.