What happens next?

The council is considering whether to replace the existing homes at: 

• 265-285 Rainham Road North, and
• 291-301 Oxlow Lane

There is a desperate need for more housing in the UK, and in Barking and Dagenham in particular.  We need more, new and affordable homes for local people.

As one of the solutions to this problem, the council is proposing to redesign some of the areas of older housing so that they can build extra, good quality homes.

The council has asked us at Be First to consult residents about demolishing the Oxlow Lane and Rainham Road North flats and replacing them with modern, new homes on the site. 

If they decide to go ahead, it would mean you have to move out of your current home.  But, the council would guarantee you have the right to return, if you want to, when the rebuilding is finished, which we would estimate would be by 2023. If you decide to do this, you can get involved in the design of the new homes.

If it is agreed, we would have to move residents out over the next year, and to offer alternative homes to all tenants. 

We would buy leaseholders’ homes at full market level. 

If the proposal is agreed, we would fully support you through this process.  We will help you find suitable alternative housing by the end of 2020 and we will cover all the costs of moving home.

Our staff will be visiting every resident to get their views. 

It will be a chance to have a private discussion about any concerns you may have and to discuss your options and needs.

Once everybody has been seen, we will write a report for the council to consider.  The report will be used to decide whether we go ahead with the proposal. We expect this report to go to a meeting of the Cabinet in September.

If you are a resident of the homes that are affected, we make the following promises to you.

If you are a tenant

• we promise to work with you and with the council to find you an alternative home

• we will arrange your move, pay your moving expenses and you will receive home-loss and disturbance payments to cover any reasonable costs

• We will guarantee the right to return to the new flats if you want to live in one of the new homes at Oxlow Lane on an equivalent rent and tenancy

If you are a leaseholder

• we promise to buy your home from you at market value

• we will offer you a chance to use your equity to buy a new home

• we will pay your moving expenses and you will receive home-loss and disturbance payments to cover your costs
  
  
• we will give you a right to return to one of the new homes