Becontree Speaks Up: Building a Better Future Together

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:

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!