First phase in regeneration of notorious Rainham estate is complete
THE �80m regeneration of the old Mardyke Estate reached a major milestone in its six year programme.
Residents celebrated the completion of the first 121 new homes of the estate, renamed Orchard Village, at a ‘topping out’ ceremony, last Tuesday (November 2).
The event, a year after works first started, was organised by builders Willmott Dixon along with estate managers, Circle Anglia and Old Ford Housing Association.
Dominic Jankowski, deputy managing director of Wilmott Dixon, said: “It was nice to see how far we have come in just over a year and to mark a key milestone in the creation of Orchard Village.”
The 1960s estate was originally built to house workers at the Old Ford Motor Company Factory in Dagenham.
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But when the factory laid off workers, the estate slowly became dilapidated and gained a notorious reputation for crime.
It also became known as one of the most disadvantaged estates in Greater London.
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Residents will move into their new homes in the New Year, and planners are now consulting with them on interior designs.
Circle Anglia took over the estate in March 2008, after residents voted for a stock transfer from Havering Council.
Regeneration will be delivered over four phases that will see most of the existing properties demolished and replaced with modern low-rise blocks.
Circle Anglia plans to build up to 555 new homes of mixed tenures including intermediate rent, shared ownership, general needs rent and private sale properties.
