New homes at Jervis Court

Our plan to build high quality, below market price homes, a community space and a nursey on the site of a former Royal British Legion (RBL) hall and adjacent flats has been agreed by Barking and Dagenham Council’s planning committee.

The 64 new homes will replace the existing 18 flats on Jervis Court and the ex-RBL land on Rectory Road, Dagenham.

Councillor Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing, said: “A hundred years ago after the First World War this borough became famous for building homes fit for heroes at Becontree Heath.

“The decision shows that today, we are carrying on this proud tradition of building great homes for working people.”

The new homes range from one-bedroom flats to three and four-bedroom maisonettes and town houses with rents, starting from £159 a week.

The development also features:

• 17 high quality family size homes
• 644m2 of community space
• A nursery for local residents
• South-facing landscaped treelined courtyard
• 110 cycle storage spaces

Sarah Beth Riley, Associate Architect at Be First said: “This development is a successful addition to the streets of Dagenham as it places community at the heart of design. It has all the right ingredients for joyful family life.”

Paul Karakusevic, Partner at Karakusevic Carson Architects, said: “Having worked closely with Be First and the local community over the past 12 months, we are delighted that planning has been approved for Jervis Court, a project which will form an important part of the wider programme of building high-quality, affordable homes in Dagenham.

“Family sized housing in new projects is vital to local communities, and as such, the scheme provides 17 family sized dwellings, several in a carefully considered terrace of townhouses, as well as providing space for a creche and community space.

“All homes will be dual aspect and have access to their own private outdoor space as well as a beautiful south facing communal garden.”

The existing tenants and leaseholders will be offered the Right to Return and the council will support the tenants to find alternative homes that meet their housing needs.

We have released a new video showing the plans to redevelop the buildings along Church Elm Lane, Dagenham.

The revised plans for 1-4 Rectory Road and 1-18 Jervis Court include:

• 64 new homes built for the council to be let at below markets rents,
• a mixture of terraced houses, maisonettes and flats rising to 8 storeys,
• attractive resident's courtyard,
• ground floor space for a community space, and
• lots of cycle parking.

The plans have been revised following the public consultation in February, and provide more detail about the scale, finishes and community spaces available within the proposed development.

Our Development Manager, Jake Robson, explains: “We’re excited to be able to provide much more detail about our plans for these much-needed new homes for the local community.

“We hope to submit these revised plans to the Council by July, and if planning permission is granted, the works could start in summer 2021 and the new homes could be available by the autumn 2023.”

The council will let the new homes to local people on the housing list and existing tenants will have the right to return to the new homes, on equivalent rents and tenancy rights similar to those they have now.

The video explaining the detailed plans is available here.

Thank you to everyone who attended our drop-in consultation held at the Village Community Centre on 26 February.

We will be considering all the feedback before we formally submit a planning application later this year.

There's still time to find out more and submit your feedback. A copy of the information we presented at the drop-in event is available here and you can give us your views here.