The town hall says there’s potential to build 860 new homes at Heathway Shopping Centre and Millard Terrace with a “cluster” of tall buildings, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter
A vision for the future of Dagenham Heathway was approved by council leaders last week.
Planning policies that will shape how Dagenham’s town centre develops over coming years envisage new homes and taller buildings, a public square, wider pavements and better lighting.
Labour councillor Maureen Worby, responsible for development, said Barking and Dagenham council wants the Heathway to be “a more vibrant, welcoming place”.
The new planning policies approved this week set out rules and guidelines that any new development in the Heathway will have to follow.
It sets out where taller buildings will be permitted, and aims to encourage “an increased diversity” of shops and “improved food and leisure offerings”.
The guidelines also envisage new public space, and improved footways and transport links.
They say the Heathway is currently “dominated” by hardstanding and on-street parking, and has a “high percentage” of takeaways and betting shops.
Instead, the council envisages more space for pedestrians and cyclists, trees and “pocket parks” and a wider range of shops, restaurants and bars.
Speaking to leading councillors at a meeting on Tuesday (16th June) Cllr Worby said: “It is the civic centre of Dagenham and we all have to admit that it’s not possibly the best gateway into Dagenham that we could have.”
Cllr Worby said the council wanted to “preserve” the Heathway’s heritage.
But she said the Heathway should also be a “place that residents want to spend time in” instead of “a sheet of concrete with cars – because that’s all the Heathway is at the moment”.
She added she wanted an “attractive and diverse shopping offer, rather than the loads of takeaways that they’ve got now.
“You’re fine on the Heathway if you like a takeaway, but not much else really.”
A large part of the new planning guidelines focuses on Heathway Shopping Centre and homes in Millard Terrace, which the council has already earmarked for redevelopment.
The council says there’s potential to build 860 new homes at the Heathway mall and Millard Terrace, where a “cluster” of buildings taller than 50 metres might be permitted.
The guidelines say that these would act as local landmarks, “and the ambition will be to design a building that the community can be proud of”.
Developers would need to give a “strong justification” to construct tall buildings outside of this zone.
The guidelines still require shops at street level along the Heathway, and a “market square” and “residential square” among the new homes.
They say the Heathway should still be home to “day-to-day shopping” but also more “food and beverage uses” with later opening hours “to support a broader evening economy”.
Guidelines also say “social and amenity spaces” are a “priority” and that GP surgeries could be expanded to accommodate a growing population.
The council also wants to widen pavements and build segregated cycle lanes along the Heathway, with more space to park bikes. It wants more trees and plants, and space for children to play.
The guideline document says the Heathway should be a place that encourages people to stay longer, while traffic calming measures will “prioritise pedestrians and create a more relaxed street atmosphere”.
Parking spaces will be relocated to long-stay, off-street car parks. The document envisages that more people will walk or take public transport to the Heathway, and fewer people will drive.
Councillors on the leading cabinet committee approved the new planning policy document at Tuesday’s meeting.
Cllr Worby said it envisages “something that preserves that heritage but also enhances the experience.
“It sets the parameters for developers coming forward, what we want to achieve in this area.”
