Government backs rail station to accelerate housebuilding at 4,000-home east London regeneration scheme

The government is looking to include a rail station at a 4,000-home regeneration scheme in east London as part of its emergency housebuilding measures to unblock stalled developments.

MHCLG is currently working with the Greater London Authority, London Borough of Havering and Transport for London to pull together funding for the new station at Beam Park through its New Homes Accelerator programme.

Kevin Delve, managing director for Vistry East London, said the announcement will “unlock a complex site and maintain momentum” at the project, which is being delivered by Countryside Partnerships, part of Vistry, and L&Q.

Beam Park is one of three regeneration schemes in London delivering more than 3,000 homes, with 50% committed for affordable housing and 25% suitable for families.

To date, 1,158 units have been completed, including 544 for affordable tenures, alongside a new primary school, nursery, health centre, retail units and open spaces such as Central Park, a riverside green space with play facilities.

A further 520 homes are set to be handed over to BeFirst, the regeneration company owned by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

The masterplan has allocated 58% of the 72-acre site for open space and will ultimately deliver two schools, a multi-faith centre, gym, two energy centres and landscaped areas.

The government announced a package of time-limited emergency measures to unblock stalled housing sites last week.

These included a new fast-track planning route for sites delivering at least 20% affordable housing, temporary relief from the community infrastructure levy for eligible schemes meeting affordable housing targets and the removal of targeted GLA guidance that may constrain density.