A guide to living in Royal Docks

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The area is great, beautiful views. But it stops there. There is one co-op near the tube station, and a corner shop in the area. No other shops anywhere unless you want to take a bus everyday and go to the shopping centre. The station only has DLR service, and this side of the DLR is mostly shut during the weekends- so bye bye weekend plans! There are maybe 3 restaurants and 1 bar around the area. The management won’t tell you this, but the property is very close to Beckton gas works- the largest sewage treatment plant in Europe, so there’s a horrible stench around the area once in a while.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Very poorly. They take a lot of time to even respond and when they do they take even longer to send someone to fix it.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had read my own review so I’d know NOT to choose this apartment even if I had to sit in a hotel for 2 more months.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The range and quality of shops, restaurants, bars and open spaces is great (two large playgrounds which is great for children) . There is also a gym, pool, GP, pharmacy, primary school, post office and other facilities. There are some allegations of anti social behaviour but I never experienced it personally.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I think the area is great, and do not have any major concerns.

What is the best feature of your home:

Flat and the area look great, there are brilliant facilities and I feel safe in the area.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Good: - Fantastic location — extremely well connected to Central London via the DLR and Jubilee line at Canning Town. - Properties themselves are generally well-designed and visually appealing. - The parks and green spaces are a real asset. - The Resident Association (RA) is active and engaged. - Service charge is relatively reasonable compared to similar developments offering the same amenities. Bad: - Management consistently fails to enforce its own guidelines, often deflecting blame onto external parties (the police, the council, even residents). - The Resident Association aligns with this passive approach and resists any form of zero-tolerance enforcement. When I simply suggested applying the existing rules strictly, I was told, “We’re not an authoritarian country.” That says it all. - There’s a high turnover of properties on Rightmove — never a good sign. Many owners are selling at a loss, which has become a known issue across the development. Some residents have been trying to sell for over two years. - Their fire safety protocol does not prioritize residents. They follow a “stay put” policy and do not alert residents of active incidents in real time — even though they have the tools (like the Blife app) to do so. When I filed a formal complaint, I was met with excuses, deflection, and gaslighting. No accountability. No action. They were satisfied that they only communicate with residents AFTER the incident has taken place. - There’s no control on the vetting process for residents. Your neighbor could be a drug dealer, a party addict, or someone who makes your life hell — and yes, sometimes all of the above. Evictions take years. I reported one tenant throwing drug-fueled parties until 3–4am. They were still living here a year later. - Balconies are often misused and poorly maintained, with no enforcement from management. - On-site security has zero legal power and will constantly remind you that they’re only here as a deterrent. - The local police don’t care — they view the development as too “safe” to prioritize over other areas in Newham. - Meetings between Ballymore, the RA, and local authorities are utterly unproductive. The same issues (safety, anti-social behaviour, littering, pavement parking, etc.) are raised year after year with no meaningful action. - Ballymore dodges all accountability. Their go-to response? “We’re still the safest part of the borough.” *This, despite*: 40+ teenagers — some carrying machetes — roaming the development just last week. Common phone snatching incidents in my 3 years here Regular appearances of thugs, illegal street racing at 3am, uncontrolled Airbnb use, rampant drug use (balloons, weed), and heavy partying — daily. - Two nightclubs were opened directly next to the development without resident consultation. A huge number of clubgoers now frequently litter, use drugs, and urinate around the area — all while the police do nothing. - The buildings — including Riverscape — are filthy. Littering is constant and seems completely unmanaged. It genuinely feels like living in a luxury dumpster. Just this week, I had to report four separate times that someone urinated near the lift area in my building — and our cleaning team didn't even notice or investigate the source of the smell. A week later, the smell is still there.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had read my own review before I moved in. I just thank the Lord everyday I didn't buy and I can get out of my lease when I choose to.

What is the best feature of your home:

The flat layout is nice and the development looks nice from the outside if you don't know where to look ... That's where it stops. Even noise insulation isn't that great to be honest ... And that's across the development.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Pros of living in Millet Place, Pontoon Dock: ✅ Excellent transport links – Pontoon Dock DLR offers quick access to Canary Wharf, the City, and London City Airport. ✅ Peaceful and scenic – Riverside views and proximity to the Thames Barrier Park create a relaxing atmosphere. ✅ Modern development – The buildings and public spaces are clean, new, and well-maintained. ✅ Low crime and anti-social behaviour – The area feels safe and quiet, with a respectful community. ✅ Close to green spaces – Ideal for walks, exercise, and unwinding outdoors. ✅ Decent local cafes and services – Royal Wharf nearby has coffee shops, small eateries, and essential services. Cons of living in Millet Place, Pontoon Dock: ❌ Limited shopping and dining options – Fewer choices locally; need to travel for a wider variety. ❌ Busy public transport at peak times – DLR trains can be crowded during rush hour. ❌ Aircraft noise – London City Airport is nearby, and planes can be heard frequently. ❌ Parking can be difficult – On-street and visitor parking is limited. ❌ Bin collection issues occasionally – While usually reliable, communal bins sometimes overflow. ❌ Less vibrant nightlife – Quiet in the evenings with fewer bars or late-night venues.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The building management is generally responsive and professional. Most maintenance issues are resolved promptly.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is how noticeable the aircraft noise from London City Airport can be, especially during early mornings and weekends. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of. I’d also advise new Neighbours to register for parcel lockers and speak with the concierge early on—it helps avoid missed deliveries.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Really good in terms of transport convenience links open spaces and bars around. Parking availability is not great due to new constructions, bin collections are slow and can get some anti social behaviour

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Very well have sent information and giving me opportunity to explore other options

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

How convenient it is for transportation and links to daily shopping