Plans are moving forward to transform a vacant industrial brownfield site in Rainham into a new housing development.

Clarion Housing Group has been granted planning permission for the project, which will see 717 new homes brought to 90 New Road.

The units will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes comprising apartments, maisonettes and houses. 35 per cent of the homes will be affordable tenures, with Clarion Housing managing 151 shared ownership properties and 101 homes for affordable rent. The remaining 465 units will be for private sale.

Richard Cook, Group Director of Development for Clarion Housing Group, said: "Rainham is a fast-growing destination given its proximity to London and we're delighted to be bringing much-needed new homes to the area. With a focus on placemaking, we'll be working with BPTW to deliver modern, generous homes surrounded by green spaces, cafes, restaurants and leisure facilities, creating a sense of community.

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"This development has been in the pipeline for some time, and it's great news that Havering Council have now approved our proposals which will enable us to provide new high-quality homes to suit a wide range of needs."

Designed by BPTW and with Barton Willmore acting as planning consultants, the homes will be arranged around extensive landscaped spaces alongside more than 1000m2 of flexible commercial and retail spaces and 11,850m2 of public space to create a thriving neighbourhood. There will be more than 300m2 of social space for residents alongside new play spaces and a new wildlife habitat adjacent to the railway line. The development will benefit from enhanced pedestrian and cycle links, as well as improved bus services to the local area and fast rail links into central London.

Justin Kelly, Partner at BPTW, added: "This approval is testament to the quality of the design, with placemaking at the forefront of the proposals. The design team have worked closely with Clarion to develop a scheme with a strong sense of identity and create a destination with vibrancy and life throughout the day and in the evening. As well as the high-quality homes and commercial provision, the design of streets and spaces respond to and connect with the new architecture and local context and promote a cohesive and diverse new neighbourhood, creating a desirable place to live.

"Acknowledging the complicated history of the site and previous planning contentions with the neighbouring Beam Park development, we have been working very closely with LB Havering's Planning and Urban design team and are delighted to have secured approval with no objections from committee members."

Construction work is expected to begin at 90 New Road in December 2020 once a contractor has been appointed.

(CM/MH)