A DIY supply store in Barking says it is "determined" to stay open and oppose a near 900-home development planned on its site.

An application seeking permission to knock down the Wickes Extra store in Hertford Road was submitted last month by Baymoore Investing Ltd. 

Wickes has confirmed there will be objections submitted on its behalf to the proposal, which Baymoore have called Roding Park. 

The development site incorporates just less than five acres of land along the River Roding, which is reportedly predominantly filled by car parking spaces, with the remaining land used for the store. 

According to the documents submitted with the planning application, the car park takes up 50 per cent of the Wickes site.According to the documents submitted with the planning application, the car park takes up 50 per cent of the Wickes site. (Image: Google Maps)  The plans seek permission to replace the existing buildings on the site with a new, mixed-use development consisting of 880 new homes and commercial spaces. 

A spokesperson for Wickes said: "At Wickes, we are determined to continue serving our customers in Barking and Dagenham and will be exploring all avenues to ensure we retain the store.

"We are dedicated to working with the local council to achieve a mutually agreeable outcome, whereby our planning consultants will be managing the objections on our behalf."

The homes would be built across six buildings, ranging between 18 storeys and 31 storeys in height, and would offer a mix of renting options. 

880 homes could be built on the site880 homes could be built on the site (Image: Google Maps) To the ground floors of these housing blocks, commercial businesses including a cafe, gym and creche have been proposed.

At the heart of the Roding Park plans is a central lawn which is expected to serve as a new public park, with playgrounds and basketball courts in the surrounding area. 

Baymoore's plans have also included hopes to enhance an existing bridge to the site. 

The A124 London Road bridge has reportedly been "one of the project's biggest opportunities and challenges". 

The bridge was created in 1904The A124 London Road bridge was created in 1904 (Image: Google Maps) It dates back to 1904, and is currently formed of three lanes with a pedestrian footpath on one side, and a shared pedestrian and cycle path on the other. 

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The group has proposed to extend the cycle and pedestrian access on the bridge, making the shared footpath wider from 2.2 metres to 3.7 metres. 

The site in Hertford Road has been subject to planning proposals in the past, dating back to 2019 and 2020 when just five flat blocks had been proposed. 

Those wishing to comment on the planning application have until August 23 to do so.