Bellway plc and English Partnerships, the government’s national regeneration agency, announce that they have signed a joint venture agreement to develop 150 ha (370 acres) of land at Barking Reach in the Thames Gateway. The area is one of the largest brownfield sites planned for housing in Europe.

The joint venture company, to be known as Barking Riverside Limited, will be responsible for masterplanning and creating the development platform for the new community which will, subject to planning permission, comprise a mixed development of up to 11,000 new homes. There will be a significant proportion of key-worker, affordable housing and community facilities.

Housing Minister, Keith Hill, said, “This is a groundbreaking initiative which brings together the combined strength of the public and private sectors to tackle one of the most long-standing and prominent vacant sites in the London Gateway.”

“I am pleased to see English Partnerships and Bellway plc making good progress on what promises to be a desirable riverside development.”

“As well as thousands of much needed new homes, families living in Barking Reach will find the development well designed with good access to high quality community facilities, affordable housing and pleasant open spaces.”

Commenting on today's announcement, John Watson, Chief Executive of Bellway plc, said: "This confirms our position as one of the leading housing regeneration companies in the country.”

“The joint venture with English Partnerships, the first public private partnership of its kind, is a significant stepping stone in realising the full potential of Barking Reach to assist in meeting London's housing demand.”

“As part of the Thames Gateway, the area has already been identified by the Government as a site of strategic importance and is one of several growth areas outlined in Kate Barker’s recently published Review of Housing Supply."