Looking back under my leadership in Barking and Dagenham, we achieved a remarkable transformation in planning and regeneration which continues today, laying the foundation for inclusive growth across the borough. Once ranked 338th out of 341 local authorities for planning performance in 2020, we turned things around, achieving first place nationally for on-time planning decisions for over three years, a real testament to dedication to an excellent service of a public private partnership.
Central to this success was the establishment of Be First, the council-owned regeneration company with social and financial mandate to help speed up development, investment and planning. By creating this local authority trading company, we not only revitalised our approach to planning but also delivered substantial results: over 7,600 new homes passed through the planning system, with more than 3,500 directly delivered by Be First. This output, equivalent to a medium-sized housebuilder, also includes innovative projects such as multi-storey industrial spaces, co-located industrial and residential developments, and cutting-edge film studios.
Be First’s role in transforming the borough has been extraordinary. By focusing on efficient systems, innovative methods, and a strong recruitment strategy that offered competitive pay outside traditional local government structures, we built a high-functioning, proactive planning team. The Be First team achieved a near-perfect record of on-time decisions, establishing Barking and Dagenham as a developer-friendly borough where planning certainty de-risks investment and attracts inward funding.
But this transformation went beyond processes, it was about people. To date Be First-led developments have created over 41,000 jobs, supported 1,273 local residents into employment, and offered 209 apprenticeships. These achievements align with our commitment to raising aspirations, improving opportunities, and delivering real, tangible benefits for the community.
The Local Plan agreed last year boosts, eight designated “Transformation Areas,” which is driving modernisation across the borough bringing in investment, enhancing infrastructure, and creating spaces where people want to live and work. By marrying innovation, such as digital planning tools and exploring AI, with traditional community engagement methods, we’ve ensured that residents are not just witnesses to change but active participants in shaping it.
This journey proves that transforming planning isn’t just about operational efficiency. It’s about unlocking investment, supporting wider regeneration goals, and improving lives. Be First and Barking and Dagenham is now a beacon of what’s possible when bold leadership, innovative thinking, and community focus come together. An important building block for the future and a great legacy to leave behind.
