Dagenham Heathway Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) FAQs
- Cleaner and greener Heathway
- Safe and successful Heathway
- Healthy and connected Heathway
- Vibrant and social Heathway
What is the purpose of the Dagenham Heathway SPD?
This SPD sets out a comprehensive vision for the area, to encourage growth, and guide future development and investment to support Dagenham Heathway evolve into a vibrant hub which better serves and meets the needs of local communities.
The vision for Dagenham Heathway is supported by four Place Objectives:
Once adopted, the SPD will have a material consideration in the determination of planning applications within the Dagenham Heathway Area, which means that proposals for new development will need to demonstrate how they align with this SPD.
Why is a new SPD needed?
We are committed to delivering new homes to meet the needs of local people and meet the ambitious housing targets set out in our adopted Local Plan. There is capacity for over 1,000 new homes within the Dagenham Heathway Transformation Area, predominantly over two major sites, namely Dagenham Heathway Mall (up to 860 new homes) and Dagenham Heathway Station (up to 178 new homes). The guidance in the SPD sets out in detail how we expect development on these sites to come forward in the medium to long term.
How were residents involved in preparing the SPD?
The SPD has been developed through extensive engagement with local community on their experiences of the area, and their ambitions for how the area could improve and grow. We also undertook baseline data analysis of the area and assessed the need for public realm and infrastructure improvements.
How does this relate to the planning application being prepared for the Heathway shopping centre?
The draft SPD sets out overarching principles and policy to guide the regeneration of the Dagenham Heathway SPD Area. It sets out the policies that must be considered by any planning application that may come forward on the sites within the SPD Area. This draft SPD has been developed by the Council.
The draft SPD is separate to the planning application that is being developed and will be submitted for consideration and the related engagement events that have taken place in the My Heathway shop. For more information on the planning application, please visit: http://www.myheathway.com/
How can I respond to the consultation?
You can complete our questionnaire online on this page, or email your general comments to planningpolicy@befirst.london.
You can also speak to one of our team directly by emailing planningpolicy@befirst.london to arrange a time.
The consultation will be open from 26 January 2026 to 11:59pm on 15 March 2026.
When will this document be adopted?
This is a draft document, and we are keen to get your feedback. After the consultation finishes on 15 March, we will review the responses received and make any further amendments necessary to the draft SPD. We will then seek to formally adopt the SPD at Assembly, which is likely to take place in Autumn 2026.