Hetty Crist

Be First, the urban regeneration arm of Barking and Dagenham Council, is celebrating the completion of the latest phase of its regeneration of the Gascoigne neighbourhood in Barking. The £76m project is bringing over 200 new rental homes and six retail units to Gascoigne East, along with a large new park and play area, a […]

Barking is set to come alive with vibrant street food and social and cultural events with the launch of THE YARD. The community-led mini Street Food Market and Events Space launched at Factory 15 in the MAKE IT building in Barking. The event took place on Thursday 17 August and provided an unforgettable night of

Residents at one of London’s biggest regeneration schemes came together to celebrate the opening of a new play park in the east side of Gascoigne Neighbourhood in Barking. A fun-filled family afternoon saw plenty of people turn out to take part in activities, including the ‘Community Wishes’ art project by local organisation Studio 3 Arts,

The new route connects more than 10,000 new homes in Barking Riverside to the Town Centre Barking & Dagenham is accelerating its journey to becoming one of the most cycle-friendly boroughs in London. This week the borough has seen the opening of Cycleway 42 with the route now providing a new link from Barking Riverside

More new, affordable, rental homes are nearing completion as part of a £36.1m regeneration project in the Gascoigne neighbourhood in Barking, east London. To celebrate the Topping out of the block that will bring 102 new homes to the area, Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, joined contractors Willmott Dixon, on site.

Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration arm, has appointed five new members to its Board of Directors- with a sixth set to be announced in September. Gabrielle Berring, Jon Milward, Adam Towle, Pam Vick and Martin Cresswell have all joined the board at Be First. The organisation is responsible for the regeneration and redevelopment

Barking & Dagenham schools that participated in The Big Walk & Wheel welcome Allan Cadabra’s Education By Magic show Barking & Dagenham has been accelerating its active travel programme this year, encouraging school pupils to take part in walk to school challenges, providing borough residents with cycle hubs to repair their bicycles, and launching a

We are very sad to hear that the Chair of the Be First Board, Lord Bob Kerslake, died on Saturday 1 July. Despite his recent illness, he continued to offer guidance and support to Barking & Dagenham Council and the Be First team. Bob was a hugely respected public figure who lived and extolled the

We’re continuing to progress the Barking and Dagenham 2037 draft Local Plan through the statutory examination process. Having an adopted Local Plan is essential to deliver the Borough’s ambitious growth plans over the next 15 years for housing, jobs and supporting social infrastructure e.g., health, schools and green space. The London Borough of Barking and

Be First, the urban regeneration arm of Barking & Dagenham Council, will be installing secure cycle facilities across the borough in 2023. The efforts will bring essential cycling infrastructure to the borough, continuing Be First’s Active Travel programme to encourage people to travel without their cars. Cycle hangars are a form of parking suitable in