Thames Gateway Parklands
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9th November 2010 Thames Gateway Parklands Thames Greening the Gateway Kent & Medway South Essex Green Grid East London Green Grid Gateway Parklands Delivering Environmental Transformation I often hear people asking why we seldom create places where we’d really Foreword like to live. One fundamental reason, often overlooked, is that not enough attention is paid to the landscapes and townscapes that give towns, cities and villages their special character. I like to call landscape the ‘primary Sir Terry Farrell CBE infrastructure’ – to emphasise its importance and to remind ourselves Design Champion for that it is fundamental to creating the Thames Gateway a sense of place and a feeling of belonging. A coherent, connected landscape across the Thames Gateway Working together in partnership, we will help to create a character and know that the re-development of the identity for the estuary which is as Thames Gateway will only succeed distinct and recognisable as the Peak if we create a network of green open District or the Norfolk Broads. spaces to enrich existing and new communities, attract investment The Parklands programme has already and raise spirits. made great strides in transforming perceptions of place on the ground as well as the quality of life. All over the estuary new high quality landscapes are being created. These will have a lasting impact on the estuary’s Boris Johnson potential as an engine room for growth in the Greater South East. Continuing Mayor of London support for Parklands is a critical part of maintaining London’s status as a World City. It will also ensure that the region as a whole can compete successfully in an increasingly competitive world. Peter Martin This booklet describes the exciting Leader of Essex County Council projects that form the first round of Parklands investment. I have been delighted to see the progress being made over such a short period. Kevin Lynes London Essex Kent Each project celebrates various aspects of the Gateway’s human Regeneration and Economic In London the Thames Gateway Parklands Investments respond Parklands Investments respond history and natural environment; and Development Portfolio Holder Kent Parklands Projects are supported to Local Open Space Assessments to Local Open Space Assessments each one contributes another bit of County Council by ‘London’s Great Outdoors’, the and Green Grid Strategies. and Green Grid Strategies. the connected Parklands landscape. Mayor of London’s vision for improving Together they are an impressive public spaces. illustration of the change-making power of landscapes. East London Green Grid South Essex Green Grid Greening the Gateway Kent & Medway I hope you will be inspired by this Rodney Chambers Design for London Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership Medway Innovation Centre outstanding piece of work and that London Development Agency Castle Point Council Offices Maidstone Road you will support it in the future. Leader of Medway Council Palestra Kiln Road Chatham 197 Blackfriars Road Benfleet Kent London Essex ME5 9SD SE1 8AA SS7 1TF 020 7593 8000 01268 881299 01634 337593 or 337713 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.designforlondon.gov.uk www.greengrid.co.uk www.gtgkm.org.uk www.london.gov.uk/greatoutdoors/ 3 Part 1: Ambition About Parklands About A Tangible Success An Exceptional £69m Programme From East London to Southend in Landscape Essex and Sittingbourne in Kent, Parklands people are starting to enjoy new and As Sir Terry Farrell said: £32m HCA Funding improved urban greenspaces and “an exceptional landscape that better access to superb countryside. transforms perceptions of place” by: This is the work of the Thames – making a connected landscape via – 637 ha of new greenspace Gateway Parklands programme being ‘green grids’, the Thames Estuary delivered through three local Green Path and visual and environmental Grid partnerships in East London, improvements along major transport – 2,013 ha of enhanced greenspace North Kent and South Essex. We hope corridors; you will find it informative, that you – improving access to urban and rural will want to know more , and that you landscapes for new and existing – 95 km of new and upgraded foot and cycle paths will help to support the continuing neighbourhoods; success of Parklands. – renewing and developing urban environments as places of culture – 7 km of new links to the Thames Estuary Path Parklands is one of the Thames and social interaction; Gateway’s most tangible successes. – recognising the value of enhancing The current programme involves 15 agricultural and ‘blue’ landscapes – 10 new bridges major projects offering 267,000 sq m as key economic, environmental, of new or enhanced greenspace, recreational and cultural assets; 95 km of additional footpaths and – promoting a clear identity and – 10.3 km of watercourses and canal restored cycleways, 10 km of improved interest for each locality via watercourses, five brand new visitor/ investment in regenerated historic education centres, and much else environments. – 5 new sustainable visitor centres with besides. This is not about creating a pleasant associated learning programmes All this is being delivered in just environment for its own sake. It is a three years through the three local hard-headed recognition that, in the partnerships and is on track for words of the Gateway’s Champion, – 110 ha of SSSI improved completion on time and on budget Sir Terry Farrell: by March 2011. “A high quality of life is needed to – 118 ha of new and enhanced habitats Working with local organisations attract people to want to live here, and communities, they have more work here, visit here, and for existing than doubled an initial government residents to want to build their – 275 ha of brownfield land remediated investment of £32m to nearly £70m futures here.” through match funding. – 1,070 properties at reduced risk of flooding – More than 400,000 extra visitors expected – 25 jobs created, 10 jobs safeguarded, and a new 9 hectare green business park developed A key area for East London Green Grid and East London Green Enterprise District 4 5 Part 1: Ambition Parklands is Essential for Success Parklands Sustainable Growth Environmental Change Vigorous and lasting economic growth Evidence for the catalytic ability of in the Thames Gateway is crucial for high quality, accessible green spaces Backing the UK’s prosperity and to maintain the and networks to deliver economic, world-class status of London and the social and environmental benefits is Greater South East. It has therefore now recognised throughout the world. Growth been a major priority for successive governments. For example, these key assets help to create a ‘sense of place’. This ambition, recently refreshed by This in turn encourages neighbourhood Sir Terry Farrell’s Core Vision for the pride, tourism and investment, Gateway, recognises that, for growth and provides opportunities for to be sustainable, major economic, participation in learning, social and social and environmental change is cultural activities, sport and healthy essential. This agenda includes the exercise. need to: – re-make East London Open space can make vital – renew Estuary Towns contributions to addressing climate – improve connections change issues. These include flood – enhance education and skills risk, loss of habitats and biodiversity, – promote low carbon growth and carbon reduction and water stress. innovation They can also help reduce the need – create a high quality, high value for expensive ‘grey’ infrastructure Parklands landscape. like roads and sewers; and play a key role in sustaining clean air, water, Stratford City Olympic developments, and natural resources. Canary Wharf, Ebbsfleet and the London Gateway port, along with world-class transport links like Crossrail and the High Speed 1 rail line, are the flagship drivers of this transformation that will deliver new homes, jobs and community facilities across the Gateway. But achieving the Gateway’s full potential also needs a big change in perceptions of the area. So, alongside economic and social change, a dramatically improved environment is essential. “ Investing in green infrastructure “ Place is actually more is not a luxury: it is an essential important to the world’s ingredient for the Thames economy than ever before.” Gateway’s success.” Prof. Richard Florida, University of Toronto Nerys Jones, Strategic Greenspace Consultant Advisor to Government on the Greening the Gateway strategy 2005 Brooklands Lakes in central Dartford 6 7 “ I can think of no other place with more potential to tackle the climate change agenda than here in the Thames Gateway.” Peter Head, President of the Institute for Sustainability The RSPB Outdoor Education zone at Rainham Marshes, part of the wider Wildspace project Part 1: Ambition Adding Value through Partnership Parklands Partnerships Adding Value and Impact – working together on pan-Gateway Local, Flexible and Adding Value issues through the Greening the The Thames Gateway Parklands The three local partnerships unite Gateway Partnership. Chaired by Cost-Effective project is being implemented by the work of a range of bodies and local Natural England, this enables a Through three local partnerships: organisations, adding value coordinated approach and provides This strong track record and locally- – East London Green Grid and strategic impact by: important channels for dialogue based, flexible approach means www.designforlondon.gov.uk – bringing a strategic approach