Dutch architect Maxwan has been appointed to draw up a masterplan to salvage a regeneration project at Barking Reach in Dagenham, east London
Maxwan will work with fellow Dutch architect Karres en Brands to provide a development framework for the

150 ha brownfield site, one of the government鈥檚 flagship Thames Gateway projects, which is to contain up to 11,000 homes.

The 拢500,000 masterplan is being commissioned by regeneration agency English Partnerships, the London Development Agency and Bellway Homes, which owns 80% of the Barking Reach site.

  In addition to housing, there will be proposals for education, retail and leisure facilities, and Maxwan will try to meet the site鈥檚 transport needs 鈥� the nearest Tube station is a mile away at Upney. Transport for London is conducting a feasibility study into extending the DLR to Barking, which it hopes to complete by 2005.

I am delighted that Maxwan has been appointed where it is most needed

Richard Rogers

Mike Appleton, executive director of regeneration quango English Partnerships, said he was delighted to have attracted such high-profile urban designers. He said: 鈥淭hey will bring inspirational thinking and practical ideas to this flagship project in the Thames Gateway.鈥�

Richard Rogers, the chief architecture adviser at the LDA, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that Maxwan has been appointed. It will bring its vast experience in creating popular residential communities in Holland to the Thames Gateway, where it is most needed.鈥�