Barking and Dagenham’s greenest housing block has been completed by Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration arm. The eight new properties are all affordable and feature cutting edge technology to help its residents reduce their emissions and energy bills.
The new homes are certified with the leading international design standard Passivhaus, meaning that the properties have a high standard of comfort and energy efficiency. The homes ‘fabric first’ approach means the materials of the home ensure it’s airtight and thermally efficient and energy efficient. The homes are also ready for low carbon technologies like heat pumps and networks.
Triple glazed windows and improved ventilation provide high levels of insulation, protection from noise pollution, and prevent damp and mould developing while maintaining a comfortable, warm indoor temperature.
Homes across the whole of the redeveloped Gascoigne Neighbourhood are connected to a district heating system and have been designed with energy efficiency in mind, ultimately providing a 40% CO2 emissions reduction against building regulations. On top of this, all phases of the Gascoigne Neighbourhood are adopting an active travel development strategy, meaning pedestrians and cyclists are prioritised which promotes sustainable travel and enhances a sense of community.
The completion of the latest, greenest block in the Gascoigne Neighbourhood is the latest step in one of London’s largest regeneration projects that has focused on placemaking, affordability, and community impact. Over 1,400 of the 2,000 homes that will be delivered across the scheme have now been completed, with four of the Passivhaus homes set to be marketed at London Affordable Rent, and the remaining four homes will be rented at the cheaper Affordable Rent levels.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said:
“The cost of people heating their homes is a serious cause for concern to so many households across the country in recent times. Delivering these low carbon, affordable, and energy efficient homes will help reduce our residents’ energy bills in a neighbourhood that fosters a sense of community and social wellbeing. We’re delighted to bring these homes to the market and look forward to delivering the further phases of our Gascoigne neighbourhood, which will deliver 2,000 homes in total.”
Tim Porter, Director of Delivery at Be First, said:
“These homes are exactly the types of property we aim to deliver in Barking and Dagenham – high-quality, sustainable, and affordable. The Gascoigne Neighbourhood creates a rich mix of safe, warm, and affordable housing, as well as open and green spaces. Once complete, it will be one of the greenest, most affordable neighbourhoods in London.”
Steve Kitchen, Director at Willmott Dixon, said:
“We’re delighted to complete these high-quality low carbon, affordable homes for the Gascoigne neighbourhood. We’ve been working with Be First over the last five years on the wider East side of the Neighbourhood and delivering these incredibly sustainable and energy efficient homes helps us leave a positive legacy for the residents of Barking and Dagenham. We know it’s about more than just bricks and mortar; it’s about building a better future – and the Gascoigne neighbourhood definitely does this.”
Since being established in 2017, Be First has delivered 1,400 affordable homes to date, developing the most housing completions by a Council-owned developer in 2022, with another 1,500 currently being constructed.
