Plans for Billingsgate and Smithfield Market Relocation Approved

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21 November 2022

Plans for a major regeneration programme to Dagenham Dock, where 42 acres of industrial land will be generated into a modern food market, have been approved by the City of London.

The City Corporation was awarded outline planning approval by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in March 2021, for the plans which would co-locate these historic markets for the first time. The Court of Common Council, the City Corporation’s principal decision-making body, has now voted to deposit a Private Bill to parliament to obtain consent to relocate Billingsgate and Smithfield wholesale markets to the area

Plans to move New Spitalfields to Dagenham Dock are not included in this Private Bill, but it is hoped that this will go ahead in the future.

The new market at Dagenham Dock is set to open between 2027-2028.

Picture: a render showing the proposed new market from above. Image credit: Chetwoods for the City of London Corporation.

Almost One Billion Pounds of Investment

Almost one billion pounds will be invested to regenerate the area, bringing an estimated 2,700 new jobs to Barking and Dagenham, and supporting 7,850 jobs across the UK, an increase of 1,140 on the jobs supported by Billingsgate and Smithfield currently.

Relocating Smithfield Market means a historic part of the Square Mile can be preserved, opening up the listed buildings. The site is planned to become home to the new London Museum.

The land at Canary Wharf that will be unlocked by relocating Billingsgate could provide around 2,000 new homes and other social infrastructure.

Chair of the City Corporation’s Policy and Resources Committee, Chris Hayward, said: “Our investment in delivering modern, environmentally-sustainable wholesale markets in Barking and Dagenham will boost the economy across east London, supporting jobs, skills and training.

“The existing Smithfield Market site is at the heart of our vision for Destination City, where the new London Museum will showcase the capital’s rich culture and history to millions of visitors. Relocating our markets will help ease traffic and improve air quality in inner London, while unlocking land at Billingsgate for new housing.”

Picture: a photograph showing the inside of Billingsgate market, showing boxes of fish. Image credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 21 November 2022

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