Boris Johnson has taken over a planning application to build a 28-storey tower block in Barking town centre, three weeks after it was rejected by the council.
The plans would see the demolition of Trocoll House, which is just behind Barking train station in Wakering Road, to make way for 198 privately-rented homes.
The Mayor of London has argued that the plans play a key role in his London Plan for the capital as they would contribute 16 per cent of the borough’s annual average housing target.
But Barking and Dagenham Council narrowly refused the application at a Development Control Board meeting last month.
Questions were raised about the lack of social housing – as it would have been completely privately-rented – and the loss of lighting to nearby offices and the plans were overturned by five votes to four.
Councillors also argued that the application – submitted by Coplan Estate Ltd – was not of high enough quality and did not make adequate provision for child’s play and waste management.
A hearing for the application is yet to be agreed, but details of the representation hearing are set to be published by the Mayor’s office when known.
Barking town centre was designated as one of the Mayor’s nine housing zones in February.
The 97-acre site is set to host more than 2,000 new homes and 4,000 new jobs, alongside improved local public spaces and new culture and leisure facilities.
Would you like to see the new development built? Email mark.shales@archant.co.uk or call 020 8477 3824.
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