Dagenham Green marks a high point with topping out ceremony

The Ford stamping plant site in Dagenham, renowned for its role in the iconic equal pay strikes, reached a significant milestone in its transformation this week with the “topping out” of nearly 1,000 new homes.

Published: 19/02/2025

---

The homes are being built as a joint venture between not-for-profit housing association Peabody and housebuilder Hill, as part of the first phase of an ambitious regeneration project at the 45-acre site. The project aims to deliver more than 3,500 homes in total, half of which will be affordable, as well as a new public park, green spaces and play facilities. 

Phase one will deliver a third of the homes - with 935 homes, 35 percent of which will be affordable. With sustainability at the heart of the design, the homes will use low-carbon energy supplied by an air-source heat pump energy centre. 

Drawing inspiration from the marshland, another key feature of phase one will be the first section of a new five-acre urban park complete with a large pond, children’s play areas, and a heritage trail honouring the legacy of the Dagenham women who championed equal pay rights in the 1960s and 1980s. 

This first phase will also include more than 1,600 square metres of non-residential space, for commercial, social, and leisure activities. 

Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, and local MP Margaret Mullane joined councillors from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and representatives from Peabody and Hill to mark the occasion. The ceremony took place at the highest point of the development’s tallest building - a striking 19-storey structure that will house 144 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. 

Construction is progressing well and the homes in the first building are expected to be complete and ready for new residents in the autumn. 

James McMylor, Managing Director for Development in London North for Peabody, said: “This development will make a significant contribution to the supply of much-needed affordable homes in East London. With its mix of well-designed housing, community facilities and extensive green spaces, Dagenham Green will be a great place to live, work and socialise. Alongside these modern amenities, we’ll also see features that rightly celebrate the area’s rich industrial heritage as a cornerstone of east end industry. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming new residents later in the year.”

Tom Copley, the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, said: “Dagenham Green represents a bold vision for the future of housing in east London. With 50 per cent of the new homes set to be genuinely affordable and an impressive array of amenities, this development is an exciting example of how we can meet the housing needs of Londoners while creating inclusive, sustainable communities. The topping out ceremony marks a key milestone in the wider regeneration of Dagenham, creating a better, fairer London for all.”

Margaret Mullane, Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham, said: “Our part of East London is undergoing a lot of regeneration, and Dagenham and Rainham will bear much of this. My focus is to ensure that the future becomes a place where people can thrive. The topping out ceremony at Dagenham Green was a marker of this future. Proper place making is vital, which is why I welcome the social infrastructure that this scheme has committed to deliver alongside new homes at London Affordable Rent levels. We have a proud history spanning back over 100 years of building social and affordable housing in Dagenham and I am pleased to see a portion of this development delivering homes that people in my constituency can access and afford. It is my hope that future phases will build on this offer to further help address the housing crisis in our part of east London.”

Andy Hill, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “Today’s milestone is a testament to the exceptional progress being made on this transformative project. Dagenham Green is not just about delivering homes; it’s about creating a thriving, sustainable community with thoughtfully designed green spaces, aspirational homes, vital amenities and excellent connectivity. We’re proud to be working alongside Peabody, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council, the GLA and local stakeholders to bring this vision to life.”