Be First, the development company set up by the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, has announced council approval has been given for two schemes which will deliver more than 600 homes.

Councillors gave the green light to build 526 flats, 65% of which will be affordable, across 11 new buildings on the Gascoigne estate, a development in the centre of Barking.

The Gascoigne estate is being revamped over three phases and will eventually provide more than 1,500 homes and a new primary school.

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