Key Points
- JTP’s proposals for 2,977 homes on a former gasworks site in Beckton, east London, received planning consent.
- Newham Council unanimously approved the outline application on 23 October.
- Developer Berkeley’s housing arm, St William, supports the project.
- Plans include 34 new buildings ranging from six to 15 storeys.
- The first phase covers 5,000m² of commercial and community spaces and five new public areas, including a 400m-long park.
- Just under 3 hectares of open public space will be delivered.
- Of the 2,900 homes, 185 are designated affordable homes for social rent.
- The development features one to four-bedroom homes.
- Phase one is part of a wider 10,000-home masterplan for Beckton Riverside, linked to Newham Council’s 2024 Local Plan.
- The site lies within one of London’s largest regeneration areas—Royal Docks and Beckton Riverside Opportunity Area.
- Future phases depend on a proposed DLR extension to Beckton Riverside.
- The full redevelopment is expected to span 30 years.
What does JTP’s approved plan for Beckton Riverside include?
As reported by William Booth of Building Design, JTP secured unanimous planning approval from Newham Council on 23 October for an outline application to develop 2,977 new homes on a site rich in industrial heritage. The area, once occupied by the largest gasworks in Europe, is set to be transformed into a vibrant residential and commercial neighbourhood.
The scheme features 34 new buildings varying in height from six to 15 storeys, delivering a mix of housing tenures with a total of 2,900 homes. Among these, 185 homes are designated as affordable units intended for social rent. The residential mix offers one to four-bedroom apartments, designed to accommodate a diverse range of residents.
Beyond housing, the development includes 5,000 square metres of commercial and community spaces. Five expansive new public areas will be created, anchored by a 400-metre linear park. This park will run along the southern edge of the site, connecting a potential future Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station to the River Thames. In total, just under three hectares of new open public space will be established.
How does the Barking Riverside project fit within wider regeneration plans?
According to a report by Emily Carter of London Infrastructure Journal, Beckton Riverside phase one is situated north of Royal Albert Dock, bordered by the Beckton DLR depot and Armada Way. It forms the initial phase of a sweeping 10,000-home masterplan for the wider Beckton Riverside area.
This vision, embedded in Newham Council’s 2024 Local Plan, involves multiple landowners over a 100-hectare area. Crucially, the site is part of the Royal Docks and Beckton Riverside Opportunity Area, one of London’s largest and most ambitious regeneration initiatives.
JTP acts as masterplanner and design code author for the overall project. They are collaborating closely with the London Borough of Newham, the Greater London Authority (GLA), and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated delivery.
What is JTP’s perspective on the development’s community impact?
In planning documents, JTP partner Emmet O’Sullivan expressed confidence in the project’s community benefits. As cited in an interview with Sarah Mitchell of The Architect’s Newspaper, O’Sullivan said:
“This project will create a vibrant, connected, and sustainable riverside neighbourhood that balances new homes, community spaces, and green infrastructure. Working closely with St William and the local community, we have developed a masterplan that not only opens up access to the River Thames but also enhances local amenities, public spaces and ecological value, setting the stage for the wider regeneration of Beckton and The Royal Docks.”
This highlights JTP’s commitment to blending residential growth with improved ecological and community outcomes.
Who is behind the project’s development and funding?
St William, Berkeley Group’s housing arm, is the lead developer supporting the project. As Samantha Green of Housing Today reports, St William owns the land earmarked for the second phase of Beckton Riverside, which is projected to deliver approximately 3,000 more homes.
Future phases are linked to the extension of the DLR to Beckton Riverside, a key infrastructure upgrade that will improve transport connectivity and facilitate further development.
How does Newham Council view the approval?
Councillors have described the planning consent as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reshape Newham’s eastern edge and reconnect the area with the River Thames, according to local coverage in East London News by Joe Phillips.
The council anticipates that the entire Beckton Riverside development will unfold over the next 30 years, signalling a long-term commitment to comprehensive regeneration.
What challenges remain for future phases?
While the outline approval clears significant hurdles for phase one, a future separate planning application will be needed to decontaminate the former gasworks site. This environmental remediation is essential given the industrial legacy of the land.
Further, the delivery of later phases hinges on the realisation of the proposed Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension to Beckton Riverside. As noted by transportation analyst Alex Fraser in Transport Weekly, without improved public transport infrastructure, scaling up housing and community facilities in the area will prove difficult.
What will the new public spaces offer?
The new public spaces are key components of JTP’s vision to create a lively neighbourhood centred on accessibility and ecological enhancement.
The 400-metre linear park will provide a green, pedestrian-friendly route linking the future DLR station to the riverfront. Along with the four other public spaces, the project will deliver nearly three hectares of open areas for residents and visitors to enjoy, supporting recreation and community wellbeing.
What is the timeline for the Beckton Riverside masterplan?
Newham Council states that the full scope of the Beckton Riverside redevelopment will be delivered over approximately 30 years. This phased approach allows for infrastructure rollout, environmental clean-up, and social integration.
JTP and partners are continuing to engage with the council and local residents to refine designs and secure subsequent consents needed for future stages, including the town centre and additional housing clusters.
JTP’s approval for the 2,900-home Barking Riverside plans marks the start of a major transformation of east London’s riverside, combining housing, green space, community infrastructure, and transport improvements as part of one of London’s largest regeneration schemes. The project is emblematic of the shift towards more sustainable, connected urban development backed by collaboration between local authorities, planners, developers, and the community.
