Barking and Dagenham named London's 'baby boom' sweet spot

Barking and Dagenham was today identified as London’s “baby boom” sweet spot, where the capital’s highest birth rate combines with its most affordable house prices.

Property values in the borough average just £287,978, making it the only place left in London where they are below the £300,000 mark, according to research by consumer group Which?.

Their analysis also reveals that more babies are “made in Dagenham” than anywhere else in Britain, with a birth rate of 19.1 per 1,000 residents, putting it ahead of Newham’s 18.7.

The east London borough, once best known for the now-closed Ford car plant and alarming election success for the BNP, has been trying to overhaul its image in recent years.

Council leaders have compared its huge Barking Riverside development to Barcelona and its burgeoning arts scene to Berlin.

The BNP were wiped out in the last council elections.

Last week the Labour-controlled authority approved an ambitious scheme to overhaul its Vicarage Field shopping centre and turn it into a mall that could rival Westfield in nearby Stratford, winning back retailers that have abandoned the area, such as Marks & Spencer.

Historic spots include the remains of Barking Abbey in Abbey Green, where the town’s origins can be traced to the year 666, and National Trust property Eastbury Manor House, completed in the 1570s.

Eastbrookend Country Park and The Chase nature reserve is a huge expanse of grassland, woodland and lakes. The borough can also boast new international links — last week the first direct train service from China arrived at a rail freight depot in Barking.

Council leader Darren Rodwell said: “With tens of thousands of jobs and more affordable homes in the pipeline, fantastic schools, a burgeoning arts and creative community, great open spaces, it’s no wonder we are the borough for young, aspirational families.”

David Blake, principal mortgage adviser at Which? Mortgage Advisers, said: “Starting a family is often a time when people consider moving. Our research gives an indication of some of the most affordable places to buy.”