Planning permission has been granted for a major housing development in Rainham as part of the regeneration framework around the Beam Park development and station.

Havering Council granted permission for Clarion Housing Group's 717 home development in 90 New Road at a strategic planning meeting on Thursday, January 30.

The application is still subject to a referral to the Mayor of London and a section 106 agreement.

In a joint venture with Hill, Clarion Housing will build 717 homes with 1,000sqm of retail space, pedestrian routes, car parking and cycle parks on the former Somerfield Depot Site.

The proposed scheme will have six blocks of flats up to 12 storey heights.

Romford Recorder: CGI images of how the 90 New Road, Rainham development could look. Picture: BPTWCGI images of how the 90 New Road, Rainham development could look. Picture: BPTW (Image: Archant)

Richard Cook, group director of development for Clarion Housing Group, said: "Rainham is a fast-growing destination given its proximity to London and we're delighted to be bringing much-needed new homes to the area.

"With a focus on placemaking, we'll be working with BPTW to deliver modern, generous homes surrounded by green spaces, cafes, restaurants and leisure facilities, creating a sense of community.

"This development has been in the pipeline for some time, and it's great news that Havering Council have now approved our proposals which will enable us to provide new high-quality homes to suit a wide range of needs."

According to Clarion, a housing developer which also manages Orchard Village of the Mardyke Estate in Rainham, the New Road scheme has a Gross Development Value (GDV) of around £200million.

Of the 717 homes, 35 per cent are said to be affordable with Clarion managing 151 shared ownership properties and 101 homes for affordable rent.

The remaining 465 units will be for private sale.

Further along New Road is the planned Beam Park estate which will see 3,000 homes, a rail station and two primary schools built on land running across Rainham to Barking and Dagenham.

Justin Kelly, partner at BPTW, added: "Acknowledging the complicated history of the site and previous planning contentions with the neighbouring Beam Park development, we have been working very closely with Havering's planning and urban design team and are delighted to have secured approval with no objections from committee members."

Building work is expected to begin in December this year once a contractor has been appointed.