Decision details

The Cabinet will be asked for approval to undertake statutory consultation on the Barking Station Interchange Draft Supplementary Planning Document which will form part of the Council’s Local Development Framework

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration presented the draft masterplan for the Barking Station area setting out the Council’s intention for the renovation of the Station, improvements to the forecourt and general public realm and the redevelopment of a number of specific sites in the immediate area.

The draft masterplan expanded on the Barking Town Centre Area Action Plan approved by Minute 92 (25 January 2011) and would act as the principal guide to developers in the form of a supplementary planning document.  The intention was for the draft masterplan to be the subject of consultation with statutory consultees and the local community, following which it would be presented to the Assembly for formal adoption later in the year.

The Divisional Director of Regeneration gave an update on several of the specific projects included within the masterplan.  He advised that due to the significant investment required to renovate the station itself, these plans would be unlikely to be progressed to any great degree until the contract for the operation of the station was retendered in 2013.  He also advised that a major hotelier had expressed an interest in the high quality hotel scheme in Wakering Road to the rear of the station.  In this latter respect and with a general regard to the overall redevelopment programme, the Cabinet sought assurances that the Council’s aspiration for “local jobs for local people” would be a key aspect of the proposals.  Officers confirmed that this would be the case and reference was made to the Council’s successful Job Brockerage programme, the arrangements with Job Centre Plus and the relationship with Barking and Dagenham College.

Cabinet agreed the Draft Barking Station Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document as set out at Appendix 2 to the report for consultation and as a material consideration for Development Management.