34-42 East Street Barking

Location and Architectural Concept

Turning 34–42 East Street around Barking, is a mixed-use venture meant to help revive the town centre itself. As it stands, this area is cluttered with vacant commercial buildings, and so the proposal envisages replacement by a mixed residential and retail development.

The building is a stepped height from five to nine storeys, allowing it to transition between surrounding structures while establishing an important feature along East Street. The design incorporates brickwork facades, recessed balconies, and glazing for durability as well as aesthetics.

The project falls within the Barking Town Centre Opportunity Area, which has been marked for regeneration as part of the Borough’s Local Plan. In terms of location, it benefits from excellent public transport links, including Barking Station with Underground, Overground, and rail services providing access to London and points beyond: an exquisite degree of connectivity. In addition, it addresses the Borough's wider housing target by making a substantial contribution to the supply of quality homes required in this growing district.

Residential Provision and Layout

The development includes 65 new residential units, consisting of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Some of the homes will be designated as affordable housing in accordance with borough policy. Apartments are arranged around cores, with lift and stair access providing efficient circulation. Each unit has access to private amenity space with recessed or projecting balconies, while larger units include dual-aspect layouts for full light and ventilation.

Internal design should meet space standards and provide long-term comfort levels for Occupants. We plan the living areas to be flexible enough for changing household needs, and specify kitchens and bathrooms to come up with a modern standard.

Furthermore, the scheme provides for safe cycle parking facilities as well as refuse reception points and accessible entrances. Work of this nature has to accord with the latest building regulations. The blend of apartment sizes and interior finishes that the site offers also adds up to strong incentives for an intending buyer who wants a long-term investment.

Commercial and Community Benefits

Furthermore, the activity will leave the ground floor clear for some 1,300 square metres of commercial space. Here, flexible retail and service uses can be fitted in, improving the quality and variety of amenities on tap along East Street or over in the traditional town centre.

An active perimeter will raise the quality of pedestrian movement, creating a safer and considerably more enjoyable public realm. This mix of functions will not only counter housing shortage but also bring life to the locale in terms of work. Here, it supports a healthy balance of residential and productive space.

This plan will introduce landscaped areas, communal terraces, and new planting to enhance the site’s environmental quality. Sustainable measures include energy-efficient building services, while in construction, tried-and-tested modern methods for materials are applied. The scheme is designed to achieve good environmental performance and is in line with local authority sustainability targets.

Planning and Investment Considerations

The design embodies the authority’s policy priorities for urban renewal and regeneration. It will contribute to housing delivery, bring East Street’s visual amenity up to a new level, and help pave the way towards realizing the long-term vision of Barking Town Centre.

The building’s form and massing are contextually responsive but also constitute a new feature in the locality. To anyone wanting to buy into what everybody is now calling an ‘emerging location’, this project offers a package of potential, of which there is a real chance for growth coordinated with adjacent regeneration initiatives.

An application demonstrates compliance with key planning policies, including mixed housing, affordable housing, and quality of design. The scheme positions itself, although it still needs detailed approval, as a precious gift to Barking. Looking ahead, both investors and residents may regard this as a long-term option supported by excellent transport links and continuing improvement in the local environment.