Approval has been granted for a shopping centre redevelopment project in Barking.

The Vicarage Field shopping centre transformation will see hundreds of homes delivered in the town centre, as well as new shopping, leisure and community facilities.

Features include 900 new homes, a 150-bed hotel, affordable space for start-up businesses, a 650 seat cinema, a gym, a music venue; a three form entry primary school and new healthcare facilities. In addition, a 'field' with a shared communal garden will be created for residents, orchards and play spaces.

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In approving the outline scheme, councillors agreed to a range of noise and construction method safeguards to minimise disruption to local residents and to local businesses. In addition, the council specified that the detailed design would have to meet the Design Code.

Peter Cornforth, Director of Retail at real estate firm Benson Elliot, said: "We welcome the Council's decision to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the Vicarage Field Shopping Centre site in Barking town centre.

"This follows a full engagement programme with communities and the Council and we look forward to continuing this dialogue as we progress towards the next stage.

"This comprehensive redevelopment of the site will deliver new homes for the Borough as well as a host of shopping, leisure and community facilities and up to 1,000 new jobs, all of which will significantly benefit the local area."

The application will be referred back to the Mayor of London for a final decision, while a Section 106 legal agreement needs to be completed.

(LM/MH)