Proposals to demolish a row of shops on London Road in Barking to be replaced by a tower of up to 32 floors have been validated with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
The immediate surrounding context includes several ‘tall buildings, including the Crown House and Oculus House.
Many years ago plans were also approved for the Vicarage Fields Shopping Centre alongside the local council, also having long-term aspirations to deck over the adjacent railway line to increase the land available for residential and commercial uses.
The current design proposes a single podium building with a tower element, in addition to two basement levels for cycle parking with a potential rooftop cafe.
Within the development itself, 85% is set aside for one and two-bedroom homes.
The site’s location has a Public Transport Acess Level of 6B/6A, the highest possible rating, within close walking distance of Barking Station.
Existing public transport availability has been designed as a car-free one, providing around 6 blue badge spaces within the near London Road multi-story car park.
Interestingly it is also situated across the road from a large Asda Supermarket, more established household shopping habits without access to a private car are commonly sighted as a reason to block new housing even in more walkable neighborhoods.
