70 The Wates Group www . wates . co . uk
THE WATES GROUP
The Wates Group , established in 1897 , is one of the leading privately-owned construction , residential development , and property services businesses in the UK . They employ approximately 3,600 people and work with a wide range of public and private sector customers and partners .
Everything they do is guided by their purpose of working together to inspire better ways of creating the places , communities , and businesses of tomorrow . Now in its fourth generation of family ownership , the Wates Group is committed to the long-term sustainability of the built environment and is working to eliminate carbon from its operations by 2025 .
To fulfil their ambition to be a truly inclusive employer and to reflect the richness of the communities in which it their privilege to work , they are committed to doubling the proportion of women at all levels of our business and to becoming more ethnically diverse . In 2021 they won the award for Private Sector Leadership at the National Social Value Awards .
Back in January 2020 demolition work commenced on the west side of the Gascoigne Estate , making way for the delivery of more than 200 new homes in Barking over the next two years .
The plans include 89 one-bedroom , 88 two-bedroom and 24 three-bedroom homes , while a new childrens play area will also be built to provide open space for local people to enjoy .
Mindful of the environment , the designs include plans to install electric car charging points and more than 360 new bicycle parking spaces . The new homes will also contribute to a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions thanks to a connection to the forthcoming Barking Town Centre District Heating Network and the installation of solar panels .
Cllr Darren Rodwell , Barking and Dagenham Council Leader , said : “ Its a great start to the New Year were now making visible headway in rebuilding a better , greener Gascoigne estate . It illustrates our determination to build top quality , affordable homes for local people not just in this part of Barking but across the entire borough .”
Pat Hayes , Managing Director of Be First , said : “ Were starting 2020 with a resolution to dramatically increase the rate at which we build new affordable homes for local people , and the redevelopment of this part of the Gascoigne estate is just one of 15 projects we expect to get off the ground this year .”
The £ 55 million project will see part of the 1960s estate redeveloped into a modern , environmentally friendly community , including 201 new homes , of which 60 per cent will be affordable , with rents starting from £ 137 a week ( 2020 prices ).
Paul Nicholls , Managing Director for Wates Residential , said : “ Were delighted to have begun the first stage of demolition on this exciting flagship project , delivering more than 200 homes for people in Barking . “ Together with our