This neighbourhood sits in the northern part of Dagenham, just between the suburban areas of Chadwell Heath and Goodmayes. The streets are lined with rows of affordable, modest post-war terraced houses, many of which have small gardens or yards. While the area might not have the same Victorian charm that other suburban London neighbourhoods boast, it still attracts many families who have been drawn in by the inexpensive real estate. With the area’s quiet suburban feel, it’s no surprise that a tight knit community has formed. Residents can often be found attending community events at the Concord House, or socialising over a meal of delicious Afghani food at Khyber Grill. Despite the area’s sleepiness, it’s a great option for any families in search of an unpretentious alternative to the chaos of central London.

Dagenham dates back to the year 687, when it was the homestead of a man called Daecca. By 1205, the area had grown into a small village with its own parish. The area remained a quiet village until the 20th century, when industrial development began to take place just south of there. With the incoming of new factories, the council met the need for more housing by building large estates in the area. Between the First and Second World Wars, Dagenham’s population increased significantly. Following the wars, the council continued demolishing decaying buildings and replacing them with social housing. Today, very little of the village’s past architecture can still be seen.

In 1930, Dagenham was home to the Dagenham Girl Pipers. They were the world’s first all-female bagpipe band!

Unfortunately, the number of crimes committed in the neighbourhood is relatively high. However, residents, overall, feel quite safe in the neighbourhood.

Redbridge Council is putting in new resources to drive the regeneration of the area, which includes the are between Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath. Much of these efforts are targetted at the spaces most likely to benefit from the Elizabeth Line, which became operational in early 2022. Improvements have already been completed at the stations where Elizabeth Line trains stop, including Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath stations. The neighbourhood is also seeing increased development interest, led by the council as well as the private sector.

In 2021 a new regeneration scheme was approved by the council for Weston Homes’ planning application for the site in High Road, Goodmayes. The plans would see the existing Tesco Extra demolished and replaced by a new store, 1,280 new high-quality homes, of which 415 would be affordable, a new primary school for 630 pupils, and new community facilities - supported by enhancements to the surrounding local infrastructure to improve accessibility. In 2022, a scheme was approved for 19 affordable homes for local people and a new community facility at 200 Becontree Avenue, which also includes new cycling parking provision and electric vehicle charging points, as well as the employment of at least 25% of local labour and suppliers. A large regeneration scheme was also proposed for Chadwell Heath, which would be one of the biggest regeneration projects next to an Elizabeth Line station. The project would build new primary and secondary schools, a huge 147,000 sq m for shops and a massive new 24,000 sq m supermarket in the middle of the town. It would also deliver between 3500 and 4200 new homes, depending on which masterplan option is favoured.