The area was developed as a large council estate of 27,000 homes between 1921 and 1932 by the London County Council intended as "homes for heroes" after World War I. With a population of over 100,000 it remains the largest public housing development in the world. It is named after the ancient Becontree hundred which historically covered the area. When built the development occupied parts of the parishes of Ilford, Dagenham and Barking with administration split between the three respective urban district councils.[1]

The very first house completed in Chittys Lane is recognisable by a blue council plate embedded in the wall. Parallel to Chittys Lane runs Valence Avenue which is wider than the rest of the streets in the district. This is because a temporary railway ran down the centre of the avenue during the construction of the estate. The estate was built by London County Council to rehouse people from London's East End, due to slum clearance. At its completion in the mid 1930s it was the largest council house scheme in Europe.

At the time everyone marvelled at having indoor toilets and a private garden although the sash windows were extremely draughty, there was no insulation in the attics, and during the winter months very few people could afford enough coal to heat the bedrooms. The toilet, bath tap and a tap in the kitchen over a copper boiler which was used for both washing clothes and heating bath water were all fed from a reservoir tank in the attic which invariably froze on winter mornings leaving the toilets unusable. One curious clause in the contract of tenancy stipulated that children born to parents living in Dagenham could not be housed on the estate themselves when the time came for them to establish their own homes.

Over the 15 year period of the building of the estate, the school-aged population rose rapidly to 25,000 while there were only 4 secondary schools nearby: 3 in Chadwell Heath and 1 at Becontree Heath, which meant that many children could not attend school. The first secondary school to be built was "Green Lane" in 1923, but it later became a primary school. It was renamed "Henry Green" in 1953, after the first headmaster who took up his post when the secondary school opened in 1925.

For use with Euro profile lock cases.
Key access from one side of door.
Brass or Satin Chrome. Available to be supplied and fitted at Becontree LocksmithsRM9 locksmiths based in London RM9.

Available at Becontree LocksmithsLocksmiths RM9, The new High Security Fortress Deadlock fully complies with both the European (BS EN 12209) and British (BS3621:2004) standards. Further recommendation from the police-endorsed Secured by Design programme guarantees insurance companies exacting criteria is not only met but exceeded.
The ERA Fortress Deadlock is ideal for front door security and is operated at just the turn of a key.
All are available in sashlock and deadlock versions, the sashlock is operated with lever handles and is ideal for back door security. Recommended by our RM9 Locksmiths.  With hardened steel plates to defend against drilling and four hardened rollers in the deadlock to resist hacksawing, over 1000 key patterns, there really is no better mortice lock. All the locks come complete with full fitting instructions

Two way action suitable for knobs or sprung lever handles (26773).
One way action for lever handles (267732).
Latchbolt withdrawn by knob or sprung lever handle from either side.
Pierced to accept bolt through furniture.
This lock is available at Becontree LocksmithsLocksmiths RM9.

Double throw deadbolt locked or unlocked by key.
Doors hinged on the left or right and requiring key operation only.
69mm or 84mm case sizes available.
This lock is available at Becontree LocksmithsLocsksmiths RM9.