Becontree 100+

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The Becontree Estate is the largest council estate in the UK and the most ambitious of the country's interwar housing estates, encompassing four square miles of land, 85,000 people (more than 40% of the borough's population), and 29,000 residences.

The estate was built by the London County Council between 1921 and 1935 as a vision for the future! The 'homes for heroes' were intended for veterans of World War I and working families living in poor quality, overcrowded, housing in London's East End. It was designed on Garden City principles, with 13 different types of houses, large front and back gardens for everyone, communal green spaces, Banjos (the estate term for a cul-de-sac), and 10% of its land was set aside for parks.

The Becontree Estate means a variety of things to its residents, although others are not aware that they live on it. Throughout the Becontree Estate's centenary year, Becontree Forever sought to raise awareness, celebrate its history, and bring the community together through a variety of projects and activities.

LBBD and Be First intend to make the Becontree Estate an even better place to live for the next 100 years! We aim to explore how we can retrofit people's homes (to make them greener and more economical to run), improve the environment, green spaces and nature on the estate, promote more sustainable transport, and preserve the estate heritage features, value and character.

The Becontree Estate has changed since it was built, especially the homes, which have been adapted to meet homeowner's individual needs. Although it is sometimes unclear what kinds of adaptations resident homeowners are allowed to make. We want to provide clarity for those seeking to make changes to their homes through an estate-wide Becontree Design Code. The Design Code has been co-produced with residents and acts as a guide for those wanting to retrofit their homes or make adaptations and should simplify the planning process.

We have collaborated with residents to develop a strategy funded by the Mayor of London's Future Neighbourhoods 2030 programme, to address London's defining environmental challenges. These include the climate crisis and toxic air quality. This strategy will focus on three themes: retrofitting existing homes to make them more energy efficient, promoting more sustainable transportation, and increasing the diversity of plants and wildlife in the area.

Using a typical end-of-terrace, council-owned house on the estate, we will continue to run a series of workshops with a group of local residents to co-design and prototype an energy-efficient home. This will be open to the wider community, to come and see what a future Becontree home could look like. The need for retrofit action has never been more pressing, and this 'model-home' will be at the heart of our engagement with the community across all three projects.

You will also have the opportunity to recommend additional Becontree buildings and other heritage assets to be added to the Local Heritage List, as we aim to preserve the character and beauty of the estate for another one hundred years!


The Becontree Estate is the largest council estate in the UK and the most ambitious of the country's interwar housing estates, encompassing four square miles of land, 85,000 people (more than 40% of the borough's population), and 29,000 residences.

The estate was built by the London County Council between 1921 and 1935 as a vision for the future! The 'homes for heroes' were intended for veterans of World War I and working families living in poor quality, overcrowded, housing in London's East End. It was designed on Garden City principles, with 13 different types of houses, large front and back gardens for everyone, communal green spaces, Banjos (the estate term for a cul-de-sac), and 10% of its land was set aside for parks.

The Becontree Estate means a variety of things to its residents, although others are not aware that they live on it. Throughout the Becontree Estate's centenary year, Becontree Forever sought to raise awareness, celebrate its history, and bring the community together through a variety of projects and activities.

LBBD and Be First intend to make the Becontree Estate an even better place to live for the next 100 years! We aim to explore how we can retrofit people's homes (to make them greener and more economical to run), improve the environment, green spaces and nature on the estate, promote more sustainable transport, and preserve the estate heritage features, value and character.

The Becontree Estate has changed since it was built, especially the homes, which have been adapted to meet homeowner's individual needs. Although it is sometimes unclear what kinds of adaptations resident homeowners are allowed to make. We want to provide clarity for those seeking to make changes to their homes through an estate-wide Becontree Design Code. The Design Code has been co-produced with residents and acts as a guide for those wanting to retrofit their homes or make adaptations and should simplify the planning process.

We have collaborated with residents to develop a strategy funded by the Mayor of London's Future Neighbourhoods 2030 programme, to address London's defining environmental challenges. These include the climate crisis and toxic air quality. This strategy will focus on three themes: retrofitting existing homes to make them more energy efficient, promoting more sustainable transportation, and increasing the diversity of plants and wildlife in the area.

Using a typical end-of-terrace, council-owned house on the estate, we will continue to run a series of workshops with a group of local residents to co-design and prototype an energy-efficient home. This will be open to the wider community, to come and see what a future Becontree home could look like. The need for retrofit action has never been more pressing, and this 'model-home' will be at the heart of our engagement with the community across all three projects.

You will also have the opportunity to recommend additional Becontree buildings and other heritage assets to be added to the Local Heritage List, as we aim to preserve the character and beauty of the estate for another one hundred years!


  • History Knows No Bounds!

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    A Victorian Boundary Post that marked the border between the ancient parishes of Barking and Dagenham and is dated 1890, has been recovered from Ellie Jackson's garden in Ivyhouse Road - literally on the boundary of Barking and Dagenham.

    Her father Danny Jackson, who reported the find, said, "It was in the front garden and my son dug it up. I’m glad it didn’t go in the skip as I’ve lived in Dagenham all my life and I would love to see that in Valence House Museum"

    The Borough's Museum & Collections Curator, Leeanne Westwood, is very pleased with the new addition, “We are delighted to add this item to our collection, where it joins other boundary posts and duty markers from across the borough. These often-overlooked pieces of local history can tell us so much about the past. In the long-term we hope to get the boundary post displayed in our grounds alongside the other posts already on display, and museum staff will be seeking external funding to do this.” She thanked Rob Wybrow, Construction Manager at Be First, for organising the collection and delivering of the rescued Victorian post to Valence House Museum – www.valencehousecollections.co.uk LBBD Curator Leeanne Westwood in the museum store There are several Boundary Posts in the vicinity of Parsloes Park, close to the Gorse-brook which once marked the boundary between the two parishes - now part of the same London borough.BP indicates Boundary Post on this OS Map from 1870, from LBBD Archives Although this section of the Becontree Estate is not yet a century old, Ivyhouse Road predates the estate as a lane, which led from Gale Street to Ivy House Farm.

    Ivy House Farm was at the junction with Heathway
    The inscription on the iron post is difficult to read but harkens back to time when the parish church was responsible for helping the poor and maintaining order. It credits the three 'Churchwardens' of the time: Knowles, Carter and Davies and two 'overseers': C King and R. Willett - Willett was a well known store owner in Barking during the late Victorian and early twentieth century period.

    Be First’s Heritage team are currently undertaking a survey of all the old boundary and marker posts in the borough, several of which are nationally listed with Historic England. Simone Panayi, Heritage Engagement Officer, will be recommending that all the posts are locally listed for protection and organising a Working Party to review the local list of heritage assets. If you would like to find out more about the borough’s heritage assets within the public realm, you can visit our Heritage Hub: https://yourcall.befirst.london/hub-page/celebrating-our-heritage

  • Celebrating the Impact of the Becontree Design Forum

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    At Be First, we have a steadfast commitment to community involvement and sustainable living. This commitment recently saw the culmination of an exciting and profoundly impactful project: the Becontree Design Forum.

    Last November 2022, we sent out an open call to the residents of Becontree. We were on the hunt for passionate individuals who embodied the diversity and spirit of our modern estate, eager to collaborate with Be First in shaping our future. The response was overwhelming and inspiring. After careful deliberation, we successfully assembled the Becontree Design Forum, comprised of fifteen dedicated residents representing the diversity of the Becontree Estate.

    The Becontree Design Forum was not just a residents group; it was an empowered community group, poised to co-design Becontree's future. They focused their energies on the forthcoming homes, local spaces, and active neighbourhoods from November last year through to April this year.

    This unique community collaboration bore fruit in two significant projects:

    1. Our Estate: The first accomplishment was the co-creation of the draft Becontree Design Code. Produced in collaboration with the Becontree Design Forum, this draft code provides a comprehensive guide for residents aiming to make changes or adaptations to their homes. It will help streamline the planning process, ultimately improving the quality of the estate.

    2. Our Homes: The Becontree Design Forum members, alongside Archio architects, put their heads together to co-design a Becontree Residents Retrofit Guide. This initiative allowed the Be First design team to gain in-depth insight into how we inhabit the estate. Most importantly, it provides a valuable resource to the wider community, illustrating the scope of possibilities for their homes.

    The journey with the Becontree Design Forum has been nothing short of transformative. We express our heartfelt thanks to all the participants who have given their time, knowledge, and passion to these projects. We can’t wait to see how the fruits of this collaborative effort will positively shape the future of the Becontree estate.

    Moving forward, we are excited about the potential of community-led design and engagement in the development of our neighbourhoods. We believe that the lessons learned and the successes achieved with the Becontree Design Forum will serve as a blueprint for future endeavours. We're excited about what the future holds and we invite all residents to join us in this journey of creating a better, more sustainable Becontree.

  • Becontree Speaks Up: Building a Better Future Together

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    Since 2022, you, the residents of Becontree Estate, have given us your ideas, shaping the future of our community. We want to thank every resident who shared their views, helping us understand the unique opportunities and challenges that define our estate.

    Your input was invaluable as we popped up throughout the Estate. From Dagenham Heathway to Becontree Primary School, our engagement specialists Urban Symbiotics spoke with you on your terms and in your spaces on the following dates:

    Date

    Time

    Location

    13/10/22

    10:00 - 18:00

    Dagenham Heathway

    14/10/22

    10:00 - 18:00

    Chadwell Heath Station & Valence Local Centre

    18/10/22

    10:00 - 18:00

    Becontree Station

    17/10/22

    15:30 - 20:00

    Becontree Primary School


    Key Themes You Shared

    • Community Spirit: Your stories highlighted the bonds you've formed with friends, church groups, gym buddies, and school communities. Your feedback emphasised the essential role local facilities and spaces play in nurturing these relationships.

    • Cleanliness and Maintenance: Many of you voiced a need for more frequent litter picking, improved street and pavement conditions, and enhanced general maintenance.

    • Safety and Crime Prevention: A stronger police presence and increased community policing were among your top requests for ensuring a safer environment.

    • Identity of Becontree: You raised concerns about the loss of Becontree's identity, a place once steeped in rich history. This sentiment invites us to celebrate and rekindle Becontree's historical roots together.


    Your Views on Spaces, Home Improvements, and Local     Centres

    • Green Spaces: You expressed pride in our green spaces but asked for improved maintenance and diverse play infrastructure. Your call for spaces accommodating individuals facing mental health issues, learning difficulties, and homelessness has been heard.

    • Home Improvements: Better insulation and solar panels topped your home improvement wishlist. Many of you called for guidance and information on potential schemes to make these improvements more affordable.

    • Local Centres: You value the accessibility of local centres but wish for more diversity in shops and activities. We noted your calls to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug use for better community safety.

    • Transportation and Commute: Public transport emerged as a key mode of commute for most. However, those of you who drive often face parking and traffic congestion challenges. You suggested improvements in cycling infrastructure, hinting at a willingness to embrace greener commuting options.


    Building a Greener Becontree Together

    • Sustainability: You've expressed a shared aspiration to lead greener lives. To facilitate this, you suggested that we need more affordable and accessible sustainable options. Allotments for home-grown food, solar panels for energy conservation, and fostering biodiversity were among your recommendations

    From Feedback to Future

    The feedback you've provided does more than simply enrich our understanding of Becontree Estate today—it also lays the groundwork for our future. We're not just listening; we're actively incorporating your thoughts, concerns, and aspirations into the strategic planning for our community. Your insights are the backbone of the upcoming, Becontree Future Neighborhoods Strategy, Becontree Model House, and Becontree Estate Design Code.

    These projects will serve as a blueprint for shaping Becontree's future. They will set out guidelines that reflect our community's shared vision, tackling the key themes you've highlighted and we look forward to sharing more information soon.

    Have your Say: Becontree Community Survey

    Not had your say yet? Don't worry, there's still time! We're still keen to hear from even more of you. After all, your views matter and every bit of feedback helps shape the future of the Becontree Estate.

    If you haven't yet filled out our Becontree Community Survey, we wholeheartedly invite you to do so. Share your insights, tell us about your experiences, let us know your ideas. Each perspective is invaluable in helping us understand our community better, shaping our strategies, and enhancing our collective home.

    Just click on Future Becontree Community Survey (typeform.com) to participate in the Becontree Community Survey. It's a straightforward process, and your responses will directly influence our Design Code for the future of Becontree Estate.

    Remember, Becontree isn't just a place—it's our community, our shared home. Let's shape its future together. The more voices we hear, the richer our shared vision becomes. So, have your say and let's continue the conversation!


Page last updated: 25 Nov 2025, 04:00 PM