To replace this temporary accommodation, the council built a Civic Centre which was designed in art deco style.

The first stone was ceremonially put in place in 1936 by Lord Snell, Chairman of the London County Council.

[7] The borough was considered to form part of the Greater London Conurbation, as defined by the Registrar General.

The population of the parish grew considerably after the building of the Becontree estate from 1921; it peaked in 1951.

The introduction of industrial use such as the Ford Motor Company factory led to further increases in population.