The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s highly ambitious plans for urban regeneration will transform the borough. To achieve these ambitions, all new development must be of the highest design quality, building on the physical, social and cultural assets that define Barking and Dagenham.

Barking and Dagenham enjoys a rich and diverse architectural heritage: it has four conservation areas; 45 buildings and structures with statutory listed status for their special historic interest, with another 123 also recorded in a local list; and 20 Archaeological Priority Areas identified by Historic England. All new development must respond positively to the historic environment, reinforce a strong local identity and enhance a special sense of place.

The Quality Review Panel has been running since 2019, to provide independent and expert advice to planning officers and the planning committee, supporting them in securing the highest quality of development.

The Barking and Dagenham Quality Review Panel is chaired by Neil Deely, Co-founder and Partner of Metropolitan Workshop. David Ubaka, Director of David Ubaka Placemakers, is the panel's vice chair.