Work is well underway on the school and community centre that will be at the heart of the new Barking Riverside development.

The Rivergate Centre will feature a primary school, health facilities, place of worship and units for social enterprise, all centred around an attractive public square. A small lake beside the school will be landscaped with reed beds to encourage wildlife.

Funding for the centre is secure and the foundations are in the process of being laid. The school, which will have 630 places for pupils aged 4-11 and 78 part time nursery places for 3 year olds, is expected to be finished and open for classes in September 2011. An application has been made to the Secretary of State for Education by the Diocese of Chelmsford for the school to be run as a voluntary aided Church of England School.

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The Rivergate Centre is being delivered by Barking Riverside Ltd, a joint venture between the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Bellway Homes plc in partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. It was designed by the architects van Heyningen and Haward, and features a single reception area to encourage all community members using the centre to mingle and interact. A wide range of community and faith groups were consulted during the design phase.

The square, landscaped by Macgregor Smith, will be the heart of the new community and will include a clock tower, seating, a lawn where people can relax, small shops and a café.

Barking Riverside will have a low carbon footprint and the Centre’s eco-friendly credentials. Sustainable materials will be used in the building process and the design incorporates green roofs to encourage wildlife. Pupils at the school will be able to grow their own produce in the school garden and learn about healthy living. They will also learn about wildlife from an on-site ranger.

David Lunts, London Director for the HCA said: "The Rivergate Centre will be the hub of the community and it’s an extremely important part of the vision for Barking Riverside. It was a priority for us to ensure that all residents will have great facilities from the moment they move into their new homes. We’re especially pleased with the eco-friendly design which mirrors the high sustainability standards we’ve set for the development as a whole."

(CD/BMcC)