Yesterday, the NLA was 'on location' in LB Barking & Dagenham for an in-depth look at upcoming and ongoing developments across the borough, which is looking to deliver 50,000 new homes over the next 20 years.

The conference examined the planning, development and delivery opportunities and challenges across the borough and discussed what was needed to maximise development potential yet retain the highest possible quality. A mixture of speakers included the leader of the Council, Darren Rodwell; Project Director of Barking Riverside, Matthew Carpen; local artist Verity-Jane Keefe; architects Alex Lifschutz and David West; Director of Borough Planning at TfL, Alex Williams; and myself. I presented some of the lessons learnt in creating a sustainable and long-term community at the Gascoigne Estate in Barking, where phase one, creating 421 new homes, is currently on site. Following the speakers, we participated in a panel discussion about housing typologies before embarking on a coach tour looking at the key development sites, including the Gascoigne Estate.