Building work on a new affordable housing development in the heart of Barking is now underway as Barking and Dagenham Council’s drive to build more affordable homes for working people gathers pace.

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, visited the site in Linton Road to see how construction of the latest phase of 169 affordable new homes is progressing.

Cllr Rodwell said: “It’s great to see Be First get this new development in the heart of Barking underway. It will help Barking town centre recover from the Covid 19 crisis, with new affordable homes bringing people into the town centre on the site where there was formerly an empty office block.”

Cllr Rodwell was joined by Kim Bromley-Derry, Executive Director for McLaren Construction who are building the development and Be First’s Construction Director, Tom Mather.

Kim Bromley Derry said: “Our team are proud to be working alongside Barking and Dagenham Council, Be First and the local community, investing in Education, Skills and Training, by sharing our skills and innovation with the people of the borough to provide a positive and long lasting legacy for generations to come.”

Tom Mather said: “This new development is part of a wider story of Be First accelerating affordable house building for local people. I am particularly pleased we are using offsite technology with pre-cast panels meaning the project is delivered quickly, safely and with less environmental impact.”

Darren Gill Regional Managing Director of McLaren Construction London said “The McLaren delivery team has done sterling work over the past few months during this challenging time, fully focused on the health and safety of the work force and the local community whilst maintaining progress on this challenging site.”