The London borough of Barking & Dagenham’s Innovative Sites Programme has brought a series of small sites to market, available for sale through the Mayor of London’s Small Sites scheme. Many of the opportunities are on former garage sites in the borough.
The portal is a source of land for building, including for custom and self build on multi-plot sites or shell apartments. The programme curates small parcels of publicly-owned land across the London boroughs that is available to small developers, housing association and communities. The programme also contains a list of resources for small builders to support the SME sector.
Barking and Dagenham is adding a several sites to the Small Sites Programme over the coming months, with five sites already available. The authority is hoping to boost the diversity of developers building locally, with a focus on sustainability and Modern Methods of Construction.
Jacob Willson, Head of Design at Be First, said: “Barking and Dagenham’s new small sites programme aims to attract innovative and sustainable proposals on small sites in the borough. Be First is looking for partners that share the council’s ambitions and increase the supply of much needed homes for local people.”
Access to suitable building land remains one of the most significant barriers to multi-plot sites coming forwards, a problem facing all SME developers. To date the Mayor’s programe has made 59 sites available to date, creating a pipeline of sites for the city. Those interested in the sites can register for newsletters with latest site news, while public landowners can get access to advice around funding and support.
NaCSBA has a membership category for custom build enablers and developers that looks for synergies and shares pain points, for any SME developer looking to move into the custom and self build sector. Find out more.
Words: Duncan Hayes
