The submission to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) paves the way for the transformation of the former Barking Reach power station site.

Construction will create the country’s largest wholesale food market across 42 acres of industrial land.

Designs by architects Chetwoods will provide market tenants with new modern facilities alongside a new food school to train the next generation of traders, butchers, fishmongers and fruiterers.

If consent is granted, the City Corporation will be required to submit a series of detailed planning applications to the LBBD, with the target of opening the new markets by 2025/2026.

James Tumbridge, Chairman of the City Corporation’s Markets Committee, said: “As we look beyond the current pandemic, it is so important to invest in the future and help recovery.

“These plans aim to provide an exciting new home for our markets at Dagenham Dock that will safeguard their long-term future, securing jobs.”