KEY DETAILS
Beam Park
Location: London Borough of Barking & Dagenham and London Borough of Havering
Homes: 3,947
Partners: L&Q, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, London Borough of Havering, Be First, Sigma Capital
Project Duration: 26 years
Gross Development Value: £1.3 B
Land: Brownfield
Social Value: The Beam Park S106 commits the JV to contributions to the wider community and placemaking of circa £11m.
Introduction
Beam Park Is a major regeneration project in partnership with L&Q and is one of only three schemes in London with over 3,000 homes, offering over 50% affordable as well as 25% family homes – helping to meet the critical demand for high-quality homes in the area. In addition to its residential offering, Beam Park is designed as a sustainable, community-focused neighbourhood, featuring extensive green space, new schools, retail and health facilities, and a proposed train station to improve connectivity and long-term growth.
Beam Park is being developed on the site of the former Ford Assembly Plant. Although the land was cleared before it was brought to market, each phase undergoes surcharging prior to construction to ensure ground stability. This careful preparation supports the delivery of a high-quality, sustainable neighbourhood that builds on the site’s industrial legacy.
Housing Delivery and Affordable Homes
Vistry are delivering new homes for sale on the Open market at this development through our Countryside Homes retail brand.
“It’s exciting to watch the development grow. Beam Park is already a community and everyone is so friendly, but there is more popping up too. A nursery recently opened and a convenience store and coffee shop are planned on the ground floor of my building too, which will be so convenient”
“At L&Q, our mission is to build homes and neighbourhoods everyone can be proud of and we are committed to playing our part in tackling the housing crisis. This is why we are thrilled that, through our joint venture partnership with Vistry, we are able to support Be First and the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham in getting one step closer to providing these much needed homes for the local community.”
Director for Growth & Sales at L&Q
Community Facilities
In addition to the delivery of much need homes Beam Park is a vibrant new community offering a wide range of facilities and features. A Medical Centre serving up to 20,000 patients opened in October 2024, complemented by two large parks—a central park with play areas and open space, and a western park featuring a green square the size of the London Olympic velodrome. The development includes two primary schools, with the first opening in September 2025 and the second planned in partnership with the Department for Education. Existing amenities include a Sainsbury’s, private nursery, and upcoming café and nail salon, with additional commercial units currently being marketed. Beam Park also features multi-faith and community spaces, and a proposed train station to improve connectivity. Example of Community events at beam Park include:
- Beam Park Summer project - Free summer activities for children and young people living on the estate.
- Regular Community Forum meetings
Jobs and Local Business
The development of Beam Park has created valuable opportunities for local employment and business growth.
This development has:
- Vistry has actively partnered with Barking & Dagenham College to deliver hands-on trades career masterclasses, giving students practical insights into the construction industry and pathways into skilled careers.
- Supported local suppliers and contractors
- Worked with the Construction Youth Trust to deliver careers advice in schools as well as delivering their building futures project
- Developed links with STC to ensure that residents have access to their 6-week employability programme which results in a level 1 mulitiskills and a CSCS card
Commitment to Nature and Sustainability
Vistry is committed to Homes for Nature, a plan to help wildlife thrive in the places we build.
The development has:
- A biodiversity net gain of over 350%, with landscaping and green corridors that encourage wildlife habitats and ecological connectivity.
- 58% open green space including two large parks.
- A partnership with the Bat Conservation Trust to embed wildlife-friendly design.
Beam Park is designed with sustainability at its core, featuring a district heating system powered by two Energy Centres. One serves apartments in Phase 1 and Phase 2a, while the other supports Phase 2b and all future phases. This system provides residents with on-demand hot water 24/7, lower energy bills, and improved indoor comfort, while also reducing health and safety risks by eliminating individual boilers and fuel storage. Crucially, it helps cut reliance on fossil fuels, making energy at Beam Park significantly more sustainable than traditional heating methods.