Local residents are expressing strong concerns at the council’s “transformation masterplan” for remaking the industrial estate in Chadwell Heath with worries that housing cost increases will force them out of the area.
On 28th November the Dagenham and Barking council’s local “informal” consolations using an online survey on the regeneration of the Chadwell Heath closed. This local consultation is ahead of a formal public consultation in 2022.
Description automatically generatedOne masterplan for new Dagenham neighbourhood
The plans are to create between 3,000 and 4,100 new homes by 2024 along with some new office premises. The new neighbourhood – sometimes called a “new town” – will be built next to the new Elizabeth line, opening in 2022, which will connect straight to central London.
Melissa Hunt, 22, from Dagenham expressed her displeasure with the new development. She states, “I think it’s a way for them (the council) to generate more money through these new business offices, they don’t care about the people or families living in that area, they want people to pay silly prices for their poorly built homes.”
Another Dagenham resident who does not want to be identified has a similar concern mentioning “we have too many houses, not enough green space, and little in the way of amenities, these local issues should be addressed before further housing is built. Jobs and leisure opportunities should be the priority for Dagenham especially before more housing. The town is now becoming nothing more than a dormitory where people go to eat and sleep.
The council website reassures residents about the new development saying “Like the rest of London, Barking and Dagenham faces a serious shortage of affordable housing. We believe that inclusive Growth can deliver the new homes that our residents need; comfortable, secure and affordable, no matter your income.”
However, the whether the plans in detail provide a great deal of affordable housing is open to debate. This is especially affected by the increase in rents that may result from the new Elizabeth underground line opening.
Dagenham is home to mostly minorities and working-class tenants along with other East London Boroughs. Tower Hamlets as well as other parts of east London have been redeveloped and housing costs have greatly increased. This has made it difficult for working-class families to remain living in London.
