In the latest transfer, 96 acres of land known as the Acres, Beam Park and PTA sites have been sold to the LDA, subject to short leasebacks while Ford winds down its activities on the sites. This purchase brings the LDA's total land acquisition in the Dagenham area to 250 acres and it has options to acquire more land. Redevelopment is already under way with the Centre of Excellence for Manufacturing and Engineering on a site near the new A13 trunk road.

The LDA has also just signed an agreement with developer Intercity for the development of the 450,000-sf Beam Reach Business Park at the junction of the A13 with Marsh Way in Dagenham. Planning consent for the development is expected early in 2002.

Solicitor Nabarro Nathanson is advising the LDA, and property partner Susan McKenna said: 'The LDA's activities and those of their partners in the development of the Dagenham area will contribute significantly to the transformation of the fortunes of this area for the benefit of the whole community.'