Ambitious proposals to create a major new neighbourhood in East London have taken a significant step forward, with a former golf course slated for transformation into over a thousand new homes.
Transforming East London's Landscape
The Crowlands Heath Golf Course in Dagenham will be demolished to make way for approximately 1,300 new residential properties. This substantial development follows the submission of an environmental impact assessment, moving the controversial plans closer to reality.
The project spans approximately 24.13 hectares of land that crosses the boundary between Havering Council and Barking and Dagenham. The redevelopment gained momentum after Barking and Dagenham Council decided on 14 October 2025 to sell the freehold of the golf course site to H4Life Ltd.
Affordable Housing and Community Benefits
In a significant commitment to addressing London's housing crisis, the development agreement mandates that 60% of the new homes will be allocated for social rent, with the remaining 40% designated specifically for key worker housing.
Beyond residential units, the proposal includes substantial community infrastructure featuring between 1,200 and 4,500 square metres of retail, community, and leisure space. The plans also aim to preserve existing natural features including lakes while introducing new parkland to expand public access to green spaces.
Council leader Dominic Twomey expressed strong support for the scheme, stating it would "benefit thousands of people" and help meet the borough's pressing affordable housing requirements.
Context: Dagenham's Property Market and Reputation
The development comes at a crucial time for Dagenham, where the average house price stands at £366,513 according to Rightmove data from the past year. This remains considerably below the London average of £658,016, with the IG11 postcode in Barking and Dagenham recently identified as the cheapest postcode in the capital for property.
Despite recent investment, the area faces challenges. Barking and Dagenham was previously named London's 'unhappiest borough' in a Rightmove survey, with many locals expressing mixed feelings about the area. One Reddit user commented that while investment is pouring in, "the best things about Dagenham is that it has good transport links to take you out of it."
The borough has higher poverty levels than many other London areas, which multiple social media users noted contributes to its challenging reputation.
The project's ultimate realisation depends on securing final planning permissions from both Havering and Barking and Dagenham councils. If approved, it could significantly impact housing supply, green space accessibility, and social infrastructure in an area desperately needing regeneration.
