Month: January 2018

Former civil service supremo, Lord Kerslake, has commented on the decision to add ‘housing’ to Sajid Javid’s job title.

The Chair of Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration company said: “In what is the most urgent priority for the Government, I fear it will take a lot more than a name change to tackle the housing crisis in the country, although I do understand the statement of intent by the Prime Minister.

“The challenge is now for the government to radically increase the building of homes of all tenures, including those for social rent, that will really make the difference.”

Lord Kerslake, said Be First will be accelerating the building of homes in Barking and Dagenham.
He said: “Be First will be playing its part to make a difference by helping to deliver 50,000 homes in London’s most affordable borough over the next 20 years.

“Many of these homes will have rents pegged to local pay rates. It shows we’re leading the way in providing a socially inclusive solution to the capital’s housing crisis to make sure no-one is left behind.”

Barking and Dagenham Council’s leader has said any delays to extension of the Overground to Barking Riverside will be unacceptable.

Councillor Darren Rodwell was speaking after it emerged the design tender exercise has slipped by five months, according to media reports.

Cllr Rodwell said:

“Any possible delay to the extension of the Overground to Barking Riverside will be unacceptable.

“Not only is this extension critical for the Barking Riverside development, our pioneering regeneration company, Be First, has some ambitious development ideas in this area too, including at Creekmouth, with 5000 new homes along the sweep of the Thames, and other sites include Barking Riverside Gateways and Castle Green.

“All in all over 30,000 homes and thousands of new jobs.

“I will be seeking reassurances from TfL that they are doing everything they can to deliver on their promise that this service will start in 2021.”

Pat Hayes, Be First’s Managing Director, said: “The extension of the Overground to Barking Riverside is not just crucial to the development of this site but also to the regeneration of the rest of the borough and it is vital it’s not delayed by procedural issues. ”
For more information on Be First, go to www.befirst.london