Drone footage shows twin skyscrapers taking shape as Barking's £2bn 'mini-Manhattan' transformation gets under way

New drone footage shows two skyscrapers starting to take shape as part of a £2 billion plan to turn Barking town centre into a “mini-Manhattan” .

The video shows the first stages of work to transform the run-down Crown House tower block into twin skyscrapers.

It comes as Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration firm, releases plans for 400 affordable and shared ownership homes in the new buildings.

The plans include retail units which can be used as cafes or restaurants, as well as a landscaped public square.

They also plan to preserve the Grade II listed Tabernacle church between the skyscrapers – with ambitious comparisons drawn to New York’s iconic St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Pat Hayes, Managing Director of Be First said: “These proposals show our idea of creating a vibrant, liveable town centre is not just a pipe dream.

“We are just at the start of realising our vision of making a mini-Manhattan for ordinary Londoners.”

The £130m Crown House scheme is just a small part of a “futuristic” 10-year plan to regenerate the down-trodden town – known as the birthplace of England football captains Sir Bobby Moore and John Terry and songwriter Billy Bragg, the “Bard of Barking”.

Darren Rodwell, leader of Barking and Dagenham council, previously unveiled the £2 billion plan to bring 6,000 new homes, smarter shops and an art film cinema to the area, while keeping it true to its working class routes.

Speaking in March, he said: “The skyline suggests a mini-Manhattan. But the new-look town centre will not be a playground for the rich — it must deliver truly affordable homes and a range of great leisure and retail facilities for ordinary Londoners.”