The Planning Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to discuss two planning applications. The committee unanimously approved an application for a change of use at 142 Longbridge Road, Barking, to a place of worship and community facility. However, a retrospective application for a waste management and storage facility at Titan Waste Solutions on Box Lane, Barking, was approved with a majority vote, subject to a reduced temporary consent period.

Change of Use at 142 Longbridge Road, Barking

The committee granted planning permission for the change of use of a residential dwelling at 142 Longbridge Road, Barking to a multi-purpose community facility and place of worship. This decision was made subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and several conditions. The application, which received significant support from local councillors, including Councillor Rocky Gill, the local ward councillor for Longbridge Ward, was praised for its inclusive design and its potential to address a demonstrated need for such facilities in the area.

The proposal includes a large multifunction hall, administrative offices, WUDU and WC facilities on the ground floor. The first floor will house a women's multifunction hall and a crèche room, while the second floor will provide space for social rooms and activities. An ancillary fitness centre is also proposed in a rear outbuilding. The applicant, Darul Ehsan, Barking, committed to providing 22 cycle parking spaces but no on-site car parking.

Concerns raised by objectors primarily focused on parking, noise, and disturbance. To mitigate these, the applicant agreed to a £70,000 financial contribution towards a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) review and the implementation of a travel plan, secured via a Section 106 legal agreement. Conditions were also imposed regarding noise protection schemes, operational management plans, and limiting attendee numbers and hours of operation.

During the discussion, councillors also raised points about retaining a spiral staircase for fire safety purposes and the possibility of extending early morning prayer times. The applicant agreed to retain the spiral staircase as a fire escape only, with appropriate security measures, and to close the swimming pool in the garden. The issue of extending prayer times was noted, with the officer advising that any future requests for extended hours would likely require a variation of condition application due to consultation requirements.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application, with all councillors voting in favour of the recommendations.

Titan Waste Solutions, Box Lane, Barking

The committee considered a retrospective application for the change of use of Shed A and Shed B at the Titan Waste Solutions facility on Box Lane, Barking, from storage and distribution to a waste processing and storage facility for Construction, Demolition, and Excavation (CD&E) waste. The application was approved with a majority vote, subject to a reduced temporary consent period of three years and several conditions.

The site is designated as Strategic Industrial Land (SIL) and is part of the Castle Green Site Allocation, with aspirations for future redevelopment as a logistics hub. Network Rail has also announced significant investment in the area to enhance rail freight use.

Objections were raised by local residents and Councillor Josie Channer, the local ward councillor for Barking Riverside, citing concerns about noise, dust, odour, pests, and the impact on residential amenity. Ms Tina Allen, a resident, detailed her experiences with noise, light pollution, and the perceived lack of regard for regulations by the applicant.

The applicant, Mr. John Scales, director of Titan Waste Solutions, defended his company's operations, stating they had operated with planning permission and an environmental permit. He argued that many of the complaints were unfounded or related to other industrial activities in the vicinity.

Officers acknowledged the concerns raised but noted that the site is designated for industrial use and that the proposed activities, while subject to environmental permits, could be further controlled through planning conditions. A key decision was to reduce the requested 10-year temporary consent to three years, to avoid prejudicing future redevelopment ambitions for the site. Conditions were imposed to restrict operating hours, ensure all waste processing occurs within enclosed buildings, manage dust emissions, and require a comprehensive Delivery and Servicing Plan. The committee also voted to approve the application, with two councillors voting against and one abstaining.