A new 10-year project aims to regenerate 86 acres of brownfield land across east London for industrial space and homes, creating up to 7,000 jobs.
Barking Creek tidal barrier from the Creekmouth industrial estate
The programme, called East Plus , was launched at The Crystal in the Royal Docks and covers five sites along the A13 corridor owned by the Greater London Authority stretching across Newham, Barking and Dagenham and Havering.
In the largest public/private partnership of its kind in the capital, the GLA will work with developers Segro to put the land to economic use and attract inward investment.
Deputy mayor Richard Blakeway said: “In supporting the return of industry to London Riverside, this development shows a real commitment to supporting local trades and presenting new opportunities to attract businesses, keeping east London’s industrial heritage alive.
“As part of the mayor’s vision for east London, we are working hard to create a mixture of residential and commercial property. Industrial life has long been the lifeblood of communities and Segro have great plans to promote training, education and employment.”
Segro has also unveiled a £300,000 grass root community fund which will be awarded to projects focused on employability and education, specifically to those projects who work with young people or homeless people.
Segro is also working with the Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence to work with schools to help find the next generation of engineers, developers and builders.
Segro chief operating officer Andy Gulliford said: “We are proud to have the opportunity to bring to life parts of east London and deliver benefits of employment, training and funding to local communities.”