Queen Mary University London to open new dental school and healthcare facility at Maritime House in Barking
Queen Mary University London is set to open a new dental school and healthcare facility at Maritime House in Barking after Barking and Dagenham Council's Planning Committee unanimously approved a change of use application.
The decision, made at a meeting on Wednesday 14 October 2026, will see the former office building at 1 Linton Road transformed to accommodate flexible educational and healthcare uses. The new facility is expected to provide significant benefits, including free dental care for the community.
The new facility at Maritime House will primarily be occupied by Queen Mary University London for a dentistry training school and associated healthcare facilities. While the flexible use classes approved would also allow for future GP surgeries to move in, the current plans focus on dental training and care.
No objections were received from the public regarding the change of use application for Maritime House. Council officers highlighted the benefits of bringing a partially vacant building back into productive use, supporting employment, and delivering educational and healthcare advantages. The full details of the application can be found in the Public reports pack Wednesday 14-Oct-2026 19.00 Planning Committee.
Concerns raised by the Council's Access Officer regarding accessible parking, WC provision, and evacuation procedures were addressed through recommended conditions. These include the requirement for an Inclusive Access and Evacuation Management Plan to be submitted and approved, as detailed in the Maritime Plans pack.
The approval was unanimous, with councillors recognising the positive impact the new facility would have on the borough. The meeting agenda and related documents can be accessed via the Agenda frontsheet Wednesday 14-Oct-2026 19.00 Planning Committee.