Exploring Barking and Dagenham’s Rich Culture and Promising Future with Council Leader, Developers, and Investors.

Recently, The Havering Daily was invited to attend a tour of Barking and Dagenham alongside potential investors and developers. The tour, which was led by council leader Darren Rodwell, provided a unique opportunity to get a better understanding of the area’s history, culture, and plans for the future.

Councillor Rodwell is a very motivational leader who has inspired many and has attracted billions of pounds worth of investment to the borough. The tour started with an introduction about the importance of Barking and Dagenham, how old the borough is, and how it played a significant role in shaping the surrounding areas. We began with a tour of the Town Hall, where Darren talked about how the history of the borough will tie into its future aspirations. He reminded us that Barking joined London in 1931 and Dagenham in 1937.

Next, we boarded a minibus and started the tour of Barking, with Darren providing insights on previous developments and lessons learned. He explained the history of certain areas of the borough and talked about how rent on council-owned housing is linked to the tenants’ income, ensuring that everyone can live in B&D. He also talked about the housing designed for lower-income workers, which was impressive to hear. Darren also told the group that there is £4bn worth of investment coming out of the ground borough-wide and another £6bn secured for future projects. He said the council is committed to making sure that the investment into the borough works for all our residents whether that be more jobs or more homes.

Darren then showed us the location of the first Women’s Museum, which is set to be established in the borough soon. He also spoke about his aspirations to redevelop industrial estates and stack warehouses in order to quadruple the amount of manufacturing in the same location.

The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the Barking Riverside development, which was described as “Barcelona on Thames.” The project, which will be delivering over 20,000 new homes, and is set to finish by 2034, is expected to be a game-changer for the borough. It’s a huge undertaking, but it’s clear that the council has a clear vision and plan for this area.

We then headed to Beam Park, where Darren explained how they plan to not only develop this site but also regenerate the surrounding area. He spoke about growing up in a poor family and how his experience has helped him to ensure the council delivers homes and services that can be accessible to all.

The group then visited the film studios, which, once it is operational will generate a staggering £35m every year. The studios play a significant role in the local economy and will provide employment opportunities for the residents of the borough and endless possibilities for local businesses.

Finally, we visited University College London’s UCL Pearl, a place where they can replicate any sound, from a noisy train station to traveling to space. It was an unusual experience, but it was fascinating to see how technology has come so far.

In conclusion, the tour provided a unique opportunity to get an insight into the culture and history of the borough. It was impressive to see how the council is taking an innovative approach to develop and regenerate the area. With projects such as Barking Riverside and the Women’s Museum, and a leader such as Councillor Rodwell, Barking and Dagenham has a bright future ahead of it.

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