Barking and Dagenham's Planning Committee has given the green light to Barking Riverside Limited's (BRL) £12 million plan to enhance access to the River Thames. The unanimous decision, made during a meeting on Tuesday, will see improvements to public open space, landscaping, and ecological features along the foreshore.
The project, detailed in a reserved matters application, focuses on a linear open space adjacent to the Thames, stretching east from the jetty. Plans include a riverside walkway and cycleway, ecological enhancements, flood defences, drainage, play areas, and utilities. The area will feature three distinct destination spaces: the terrace, the bay, and the coast and lookout.
Matthew Carpin, Managing Director of BRL, highlighted the project's dual aims: The key driver for this area is to improve access to the River Thames and protect and enhance the extremely rich ecology that we've got on the site.
Sarah McCready, Director of Communications at Barking Riverside, explained that the company had undertaken three rounds of public engagement over the last year on these proposals.
Key concerns raised during the planning process revolved around heritage, ecology, flooding, and Footpath 47, a public right-of-way. Anne Utting, from the BFAS Development Management Team, addressed these concerns, noting that BRL has committed to a heritage scheme for the navigation beacons and that mitigation measures would protect local species. The footpath will be realigned, following a similar route but set further back from the river.
Councillor Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development, voiced concerns about dogs attacking birds and requested further consideration of the issue. Carpin responded that they would put up signs, but that the behaviour of animals by members of the public is not something they can necessarily control. David Hope Thompson, ecologist at Temple, explained that there is mitigation incorporated within the design, including strategic planting and raised bunds to break up the human silhouette.
Councillor Sabbir Zamee, Deputy Chair, Licensing & Regulatory Committee, inquired about foreshore access, parking, maintenance, and rat control. Carpin assured that the foreshore is accessible 24 hours a day and that BRL is planning site visits for committee members. He also mentioned a temporary car park and longer-term plans for a multi-storey car park. He added that the public open spaces are managed and owned by Barking Riverside Limited, and that the community interest company will be responsible for the maintenance of the area going forward.
Councillor Ingrid Robinson raised concerns about residents contributing to footpath maintenance through service charges. Carpin clarified that a resident-led community interest company has been established to scrutinise the service charge.
Despite objections from Paul Scott and Marion Hull of the Ripple Effect group regarding footpath access, habitat disturbance, and flood risks, the committee ultimately supported the application, citing the addendum report's attempts to address these concerns.
