The Planning Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 10 March 2026, approving a change of use application for a community facility and place of worship at 142 Longbridge Road, Barking, and a retrospective temporary planning permission for a waste processing and storage facility at Titan Waste Solutions on Box Lane, Barking. The meeting also confirmed the minutes from the previous meeting held on 10 February 2026.

142 Longbridge Road, Barking

The committee granted planning permission for the change of use of a six-bedroom dwelling at 142 Longbridge Road, Barking to a multi-purpose community facility and place of worship. This decision was subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and included conditions for noise mitigation, operational management, and the retention of a spiral staircase for fire safety purposes, along with the closure of a swimming pool in the rear garden.

The application was supported by evidence demonstrating a clear need for such a facility, particularly given the overcrowding at the applicant's existing premises and the growing Muslim population in the borough. Concerns raised by residents regarding parking, noise, and disturbance were addressed through proposed conditions and a financial contribution towards a controlled parking zone (CPZ) review. The committee also noted the applicant's agreement to implement a travel plan to encourage sustainable transport.

Councillor Rocky Gill, the local ward councillor, spoke in support of the application, highlighting the demonstrable need for the facility and its potential to serve the diverse community. He also acknowledged the applicant's contribution towards the CPZ review.

Titan Waste Solutions, Box Lane, Barking

The committee granted retrospective temporary planning permission for a period of three years for the change of use of Shed A at the Barking Logistics Centre, Box Lane, Barking for the processing of non-hazardous Construction, Demolition, and Excavation (CD&E) waste, and for Shed B for waste storage. This decision was made subject to a range of conditions aimed at mitigating noise, dust, and operational impacts, and included a restriction on the hours of operation and a requirement for a dust management plan.

The application was retrospective as the site had been operating without formal planning permission. The committee acknowledged the site's designation as Strategic Industrial Land, suitable for waste management uses. However, the temporary nature of the permission was imposed to avoid prejudicing future redevelopment aspirations for the site, which is part of the Castle Green Site Allocation and Transformation Area, and has seen recent investment commitments from Network Rail for its development as an international logistics hub.

Concerns were raised by local residents and Councillor Josephine Channer regarding noise, dust, flies, and odour, with residents expressing a lack of confidence in the applicant's adherence to conditions. The applicant, Mr John Scales, disputed these claims, stating that his operations were responsible and that many of the complaints were likely attributable to other industrial sites in the vicinity. He offered an open invitation for councillors and residents to visit the site to observe operations.

Environmental Health officers confirmed that while complaints had been received, they had not been substantiated in relation to the Titan Waste Solutions site, and that the Environment Agency regulated the site under its environmental permit. The committee noted that the imposition of planning conditions would provide an additional enforcement route.

The decision to grant temporary permission for three years was made to balance the continued use of the site for waste management with the strategic regeneration ambitions for the area.