EMERGING LONDON 2018

Rooftop gardens sound interesting. James This is a good example of heritage and amenity coming together. Our site once served as the vineyard for Barking Abbey, and more recently as market gardens. So, our modern take is to create micro allotments on the roof above the commercial space. Having green space and growing things is attractive to people. We’ve successfully worked with the Nomadic Gardens community project on previous schemes. While accessible green areas aren’t particularly expensive they bring a huge benefit for residents. Talking of residents, the most recent London Plan calls for a lot more housing across London. Do you see space for that in Barking? Peter The draft new London Plan is a fairly recent manifestation of something that’s been in the policy pipeline for some time. Our view is that Barking absolutely has significant physical capacity to deliver a whole raft of new homes, both in the town centre and across the wider borough landscape, for example at Riverside. The Council are proactive in renewing and enhancing We are determined that the interaction between commercial and residential space will be socially sustainable. existing stock and encouraging all forms of tenure across new build schemes, ensuring the benefits of regeneration are felt throughout the community. Vicarage Field will deliver a fully mixed use town centre scheme. Peter That’s been the objective from the start and what we’ve picked up strongly throughout our local dialogues. With very little new development of commercial space in the town centre for a number of decades the opportunity’s there to renew, reposition and re-energise Barking’s social and commercial core. On the other hand, there’s an undertone of affordability which we are keen to sustain and utilise to encourage new formats, ideas and community experiences. How does Barking compare with similar districts in other European cities? Peter We’re witnessing more disruption to consumer behaviour and lifestyles in London than almost anywhere. Because of that we’re keeping flexibility at the heart of our design process; I wouldn't be surprised if we see some really Peter Cornforth What is your favourite part of London? Lordship Lane, East Dulwich – where else can you find restaurant MEATliquour alongside a shop selling plastic buckets? Brixton – still more to come and The Department Store project is a stunner. (See pages 32-33) Do you have a personal ‘hidden London’ location you’d like to share? Whitechapel – all the best places you’ve never heard of; Tayyabs, Wilton’s Music Hall and Indo. Best location in London to shop for quirky gifts? Peckham Levels (See page 28-29). Best location in London to eat? Sparrow at Lewisham – wow! Bellenden Village, Peckham – a perfect micro destination; from traditional boozer to edgy global cuisines. Place to go for a night out: Camden – still rocks and I love The Roundhouse. Parts of London you’d like to explore more and why? Cockfosters – just to see what’s there Forest Hill/Crystal Palace – they’re on my doorstep. What is your favoured form of transport around the capital? Public – bus and tube if getting from east to west. James Shindler What is your favourite part of London? I’m a new-found fan of Peckham: the village, the restaurants, the authentic atmosphere. (See pages 28-29) I also rate Crouch End: it has a village feel, and the lack of nearby tube is something of a positive. Do you have a personal ‘hidden London’ location you’d like to share? Bermondsey arches – nobody really knows where it starts or finishes. Best location in London to shop for quirky gifts? Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia. Place to go for a night out: Granary Square, King’s Cross. Parts of London you’d like to explore more? Deptford and Alexandra Palace. What is your favoured form of transport around the capital? I like driving, so normally whizz around in a small car. MY LONDON interesting user-led models being implemented across the coworking/ living and hospitality/entertainment sectors. Barking has a seething enterprise and arts culture going on and the council is very keen to expand and promote that. Indeed, the council set up its own private development company in 2017, Be First. James They’re now working closely with us as they want the scheme to progress quickly because it will have a ripple effect on bringing other sites forward. They certainly see the bigger picture, as well as being proactive and ambitious, which in the long term can only be good for Barking. How does it feel to be working on Vicarage Field? James I feel proud and excited. Peter It’s pretty humbling . I certainly feel a weight of responsibility, and, as Council leader Darren Rodwell correctly points out, I should, as what we are doing will still be here in 30-40 years’ time. www.newvicaragefield.co.uk At a glance – VICARAGE FIELD, BARKING Pan-European private equity fund manager Benson Elliot and London-based developer Londonewcastle plans to transform an existing shopping centre in central Barking to create a new mixed-use development over five acres. The project will comprise 850 homes, an hotel, flexible business space, 150,000 sq ft replacement retail and 100,000 sq ft of F&B/leisure. The project will be phased over three to five years with construction expected to start late 2019/ early 2020. Granary Square - Kings Cross CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD  | EMERGING LONDON 25 24 SPOTLIGHT ON BARKING