A competition run by The Architects’ Journal, Design for and the London Borough of Barking and

Foreword Barking town centre is regenerating with impressive momentum and with recognised success. Abbey Green is the town’s most historic and central green space. It is surrounded by important regeneration projects and will thus be the main public green space for many of these. This two-stage competition launched by the AJ and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) with Design for London will generate a selection of exemplar designs for the regeneration of Abbey Green, one of which will be taken forward and ultimately developed by LBBD with the winning team.

Project Brief

1. Introduction Abbey Green is a 6.5-hectare site steeped in history, with the origins of the original Abbey dating back to the 7th century. The Abbey was used as the royal seat in Saxon times, and later in 1066 by William the Conqueror while the Tower of London was being built. It was later demolished during the dissolution of the monasteries. The Norman church of St Margaret’s and its churchyard remain on the site, along with the 13th-century Curfew Tower. The site is recognised as having heritage merit of national importance (MOLAS 2007) and is understood to be one of the most important religious archaeological sites in Europe. A significant portion of the site is a scheduled ancient monument and the whole site falls within a Conservation Area, see appendix 3.

The park has historically been Barking’s town centre – a hub for trade next to Barking’s Fishing Fleet, with a market, a church and the Town Hall. With the dissolution of the Abbey, the arrival of the railway and the demise of the Fishing Fleet, Barking’s town centre activity has shifted away from the River Roding and moved towards the station. The use of the public park, as green open space in the town centre and as a link to the river, has been compromised by the new network of roads cutting the site from its surroundings.

1 On top of this, Abbey Green itself is a fragmented park with two separate primary schools, the church, the ruins and two distinct areas of public open space.

Abbey Green is a strategically important open space at the centre of Barking. The site is considered a part of the town centre and is thus a key project within the Barking Town Centre Action Plan and in LBBD’s Parks and Green Spaces Strategy*.

Abbey Green is bordered by roads on all four boundaries and lies between the town centre and the River Roding, to which it is linked by a small open space, the town quay. Due to its strategic location between different elements of public regeneration in Barking town – the town quay, the River Roding with its development potential, Barking town square, the former Lintons Estate and the Gascoigne Estate – Abbey Green is considered a key open space provision and a priority project within the Green Grid (ELGG).

Recently, several studies have been undertaken to identify how the site can be taken forward, including an Audience Development Plan (Lanarca 2007) and a Vision Statement/Draft Master Plan (Groundwork East London 2006).

This design competition seeks to build on this work and to establish a definitive vision for the development and conservation of the site.

Curfew Tower Abbey ruins Abbey Green south

2. Customer organisation and governance The Parks and Commissioning Group (PDC) is part of the Leisure and Arts Division within the Adult and Community Services Department of LBBD. The department’s aim is to ensure that LBBD’s facilities and services reflect the needs of the local community.

The London Development Agency (LDA) is funding this competition, run by the AJ and LBBD with Design for London. LBBD will be the customer of the final contract, committed to taking forward the winning project. The jury will comprise key representatives of LBBD, Design for

* AAP 2004 and the new AAP 2009, currently in pre-submission stage, are both downloadable from LBBD’s website: www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/8-leisure-envir/planning/local-dev- framework/local-dev-framework.html You can also find here the consultation draft for the Urban Design Guidelines Supplementary Planning Document to the AAP

2 London/ LDA and the AJ, and include several prominent architects* (to be announced on the competition website). The jury will consult the steering group, representing the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, English Heritage and the Homes and Communities Agency, as well as the public.

The council’s Elected Member approval will be needed via executive report to finalise the decision.

3. Project scope The aim of the design competition is to create a high-quality vision for the whole park. This should maximise its links to the community and its potential as a site of national heritage importance, a vibrant venue for cultural events and as a prestigious town centre public open space.

The site has the potential to be the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the town centre, underpinning the regeneration of the area. High-quality design should reflect this and transform the site into a vibrant town centre park with the church and Abbey ruins at its core.

Design should not be solely limited to the boundaries of the park, but incorporate any necessary improvements to the surrounding infrastructure.

Key themes to be explored are:

3.1 Connectivity to the town centre Improve pedestrian, visual and functional links to the town centre. Currently the hustle and bustle of the increasingly vibrant town centre rarely spills over into the park, and the site is isolated by and North Street, despite significant traffic calming measures on this road. Vehicle restrictions could be extended to encourage people out of the high street and on to the green. Visual connectivity would address this, with spatial definition, protection from traffic and the appeal of a high-quality destination. As the principal green space for the town centre and gateway to a heritage site of national importance, Abbey Green should be historical and unique rather than merely a local park.

East Street Market Down Clockhouse Avenue View from Broadway Theatre towards Abbey Green

3.2 Connectivity to the River Roding and across the A406, towards Newham Establish stronger links with the River Roding and links to the new communities of the River Roding area* by extending the parkland to the river via the town quay, and along the Fresh

3 Warf site across the A406. Entries should include a vision for improved visual and physical relationship between Barking town centre, the park and the town quay, and a proposal for an improved route to Newham across the A406.

3.3 Connectivity to the wider community North-south connectivity should also be explored. Currently the adjacent Gascoigne Estate, Whiting Avenue Estate and the planned King William Quarter are effectively cut off from the park by the road system. Abbey Green is listed as a priority project within the ELGG in sub area 4 (project no 4.4.01), and the design should connect to nearby open spaces such as the Quaker Burial Ground, Barking Park and the town square through tree-lined streets and playful routes.

3.4 Conservation and celebration of the site’s heritage English Heritage is broadly supportive of all current proposals. Providing a focal point to the historical interpretation of the surrounding area, including the Town Quay, Barking Town Centre and what were the previous Abbey lands, Abbey Green can act as a springboard for historical investigation and clue-finding in the surrounding area. The detailed recommendations of the Conservation Management Plan should be addressed. Church boundary and tombstone repairs need to be considered, some of which are likely to become an emergency with strict liability issues. We would also welcome proposals for a museum to showcase significant finds from the area. currently houses and displays the borough’ artefacts and archives.

3.5 Improved quality of open space Include high-quality play areas, herbaceous planting, high-quality furniture and clearly defined entrances and paths. The park is a popular destination, and people like to sit in the park when the weather is good, especially for lunches. However, seating provision is poor. Sensitive design is needed to meet this demand without creating too much of a node for anti-social behaviour. Greener, cleaner and safer issues need to be addressed, such as Secured by Design principles and DDA compliance throughout. Seasonal interest where possible in planting schemes.

Towards North Street Abbey Green north North view across Abbey Green to Abbey Retail Park

3.6 Events The Abbey ruins can accommodate circa 2,000 people and the north and south open spaces can accommodate a further circa 3,000+, meaning that the site has an events capacity of over 5,000 people. Current cultural events include ‘Big Green Borough Day’, the annual ‘Molten’ festival and the ‘Dancing the Gateway’ dance event, which are held on the southern open space, and the annual ‘Twilight’ outdoor classical concert within the Abbey ruins. Parts of the site are also used for weddings and church services.

4 A critical issue is to facilitate better events provision, including the installation of utilities such as power and water and dropped kerbs for access.

3.7 Arts venue with links to Broadway Theatre and Malthouse Studios Abbey Green needs to be ‘treated’ so it may become the lynchpin for the cultural/creative quarter of Barking town centre. Creation of an inspiring natural amphitheatre where students from Broadway Theatre and the Malthouse could perform, and which acts as a focal point for events the public can enjoy and participate in, is desirable. The existing Ian Hamilton Finlay sculpture at the town quay should be retained and integrated within the scheme.

View along Broadway Open space across East Street Open space looking towards East Street

3.8 Health Opportunities for physical activity to combat obesity, plus access to nature and relaxation to reduce stress levels for people of all ages and abilities.

3.9 Play A natural play area to cater for the increased population of the recently built flats in the town centre, where there are no back gardens or playgrounds for children and young people.

3.10 Biodiversity Opportunities to conserve and improve native biodiversity should be maximised, particularly in the churchyard. The Local Biodiversity Action Plan includes species such as the house sparrow, which benefits from areas of uncut grass, and the stag beetle, which benefits from dead wood.

3.11 Schools The resident primary schools should be taken into account as primary users of the site. In addition, the current land take at St Joseph’s should be reviewed, with any proposed changes to this identified as a distinct design option.

3.12 Council-wide requirements, grounds maintenance Future revenue costs need to either be met within existing resources or sufficient additional revenue funding needs to be secured from the outset. The proposals should include a concept management plan and suggestions for how any increases in revenue costs will be met.

3.13 Consultation Significant consultation has already been undertaken and interpreted in the Audience Development Plan. The successful candidate will be expected to present the Stage D design at a public meeting to the community, and incorporate feedback as agreed by the Steering Group.

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4. Outcomes Stage 1 – design competition:

Each entry should demonstrate three things: • How to make useful and beautiful connections across Abbey Green, from north to south, and from the town centre to the River Roding and to Newham across the A406 to the west • How the edges of the park and within the park can become more than just edges, offering something to the surrounding areas of Barking • A sense of how Abbey Green will be used over time. How will it be occupied and used by the people of Barking through the day?

For the first stage, you must submit two boards. One will be a map of Abbey Green at around A2 size, which should demonstrate a vision for the park. The second should go into more detail about those ideas. All material should also be delivered digitally.

Stage 2 – design competition shortlist (to be updated):

• Masterplan produced to RIBA Stage C • Full colour plans at A1 including 3D perspective • Presentation of design at a public meeting • Detailed cost estimates • Digital copies of all plans • Model of the park and its links and immediate surroundings

5. Competition fee Design fees: • £5,000 awarded to shortlisted teams to join second stage • £35,000 for the competition winner to complete the Stage D masterplan • The remainder of the design process as per tender submission for work stages E-L

Construction costs: • The budget for the construction phase has not been set. To a large extent this will be led by the design process. However, the competition submission is expected to represent value for money

6. Programme timescales and tender process • OJEU notice – June 2009 • OJEU closure – August 2009 • Shortlist announced – August 2009 • Competition period – June-October 2009 • Exhibition and winner announced – October 2009 • Masterplan design period – October 2009-February 2010

7. Selection criteria The first stage selection will be based on the extent to which the design achieves the outcomes of this brief (Section 4: Outcomes).

The selection will also be informed by eligibility information from the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, which includes:

6 • Basic information, such as turnover and financial soundness, legal status, corporate, management or consortia structure and e-capability • Eligibility, such as Limited Company or Partnership status, prior relationship with LBBD directors or members, and charitable or independent registration • Financial standing, such as VAT registration, insurance details, previous claims, plus provision of two years of audited accounts • Technical competence verified by referees, such as experience of preparing high-quality park masterplans and management plans, experience of consultation techniques and equalities and diversity information gathering. A track record of delivering high-quality landscape architectural and urban design projects, including historic landscape restoration and Heritage Lottery funded schemes, will also be expected • Applications will in particular be welcomed from newer, smaller practices and all applicants will be required to provide an organisational chart, CVs of key personnel, plus details of any proposed subcontractors, areas of innovation and complaints procedure • Details of the applicant’s environment, health and safety and equalities and diversity policies, as well as Freedom of Information arrangements

For the second stage, the winning scheme will be selected by an expert jury panel. The purpose of the jury is to provide expertise that will determine which of the shortlisted designs most meets the requirements of the brief according to the following weightings:

• Quality of design – 80%. This is the extent to which design is judged to represent an inspiring vision to maximise the potential of the site, as well as offering a cost-effective solution • Cost of implementation stage – 20%. The most economically advantageous tender for work stages E-L for development and delivery of the project

8. Background information Further guidance for the design can be found in the following strategies, policies, initiatives and studies.

7 8.1 Parks and Green Spaces Strategy LBBD’s Parks and Green Spaces Strategy (PGSS or ‘the strategy’) was adopted in 2003 in response to government advice addressing the national decline in the management, maintenance and popularity of parks.

PGSS has been recognised as best practice by CABE Space (the parks and green spaces arm of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment), the Landscape Institute and the Greater London Authority, as one of the first of a new breed of open space strategies celebrated for leading the way in green space spatial planning, as well as for its approach, scope and content. The Outline Landscape Framework contained within it has additionally been recognised as an important catalyst influencing the thinking behind the East London Green Grid.

PGSS recommendations specifically for Abbey Green are as follows: • Transform the site into a vibrant, prestige town centre park with church and Abbey ruins at the core, including high-quality play areas, herbaceous gardens and seating, shrub planting, events space, top-quality furniture and clearly defined entrances and through-routes • Provide spatial definition and protection from traffic • Seek to establish stronger links with the River Roding by extending the parkland to the river • Improve pedestrian, visual and functional links with the town centre • Improve link between East Street and Curfew Tower • Promote Abbey Green as a primary outdoor events space

8.2 From ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’ In 2006, mid-way through Phase 1 of the strategy, a residents’ survey was undertaken across the borough to gain a detailed view of the public’s priorities, usage and satisfaction with the parks in the borough. Apart from the results of this survey showing that residents’ satisfaction had risen from 44% during the period when the strategy was being drawn up to 66% three years later, three clear themes emerged from the consultation with both park users and non- users within the borough. These are now the three core themes which will provide an update to the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy: • Presence in the park • Improved facilities • Staying longer/visiting more often

This is further translated into the following five aims: • A permanent presence in the park • Well-maintained infrastructure • Strong community involvement • Active volunteers • A lively education, events and play programme

All of which will be embedded within a robust management plan, which is fully resourced.

A number of guidance notes have been prepared, which integrate the work of the Parks and Countryside Ranger Service within the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy, embedding a community development support structure at the heart of the strategy:

Education and learning: • Events and activities

8 • Friends Group development • Green Flag/management planning • Volunteering development

Plus a further three are still being prepared: • Conservation and sustainability • Consultation • Marketing, communications and branding • Masterplanning and design

8.3 Local Development Framework and the Barking Town Centre Area Action Plan. • The Local Development Framework will set out our policies for meeting the community’s economic, environmental and social aims for the future, where this affects the development and use of land. It includes the Core Strategy that sets out the general spatial vision, objectives and core policies for future development and a proposals map. (Documents are downloadable from LBBD’s website: www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/8-leisure-envir/planning/ local-dev-framework/local-dev-framework.html) • The Barking Town Centre Area Action Plan (2009) will show how LBBD plans to develop and improve Barking town centre over the coming years. (The pre-submission document is downloadable from LBBD’s website: www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/8-leisure-envir/planning/ local-dev-framework/local-dev-framework.html) • Barking Town Centre Area Action Plan Urban Design Guidance (2009) will provide urban design guidance to landowners, developers and architects in order to raise design expectations and secure high-quality development. (The consultation draft is downloadable from LBBD’s website: www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/8-leisure-envir/planning/local-dev- framework/local-dev-framework.html)

8.4 Landscape Framework Plan • In adopting its Urban Design Framework (UDF) in 2007, the council also adopted the Landscape Framework Plan, which can be seen as the borough’s ‘jigsaw piece’ of the East London Green Grid. (The UDF is downloadable from LBBD’s website: www.barking- dagenham.gov.uk/8-leisure-envir/planning/local-dev-framework/local-dev-framework.html) • The project forms a key element of green space for the town centre and, once linked to the River Roding to the west and through the town centre to Barking Park in the east, will be a significant green space connectivity project. Therefore tree-lined street opportunities within the town centre should be prioritised to this effect • Cycling and walking connectivity coordination with the council’s cycling and walking team, SUSTRANS and Transport for London, etc

8.5 Regeneration strategy • Improving the quality of life • Creating an attractive and sustainable place • Increasing the prosperity of residents and the business community • Community cohesion • Cliff-edge solutions

8.6 Community strategy • Local people voted the ruins in the centre of Abbey Green to be their favourite space within the borough

9 • Good partnership working • Strong community engagement • Stronger communities • Healthy lifestyles and physical activity • Creating safer places • Equalities and diversity

8.7 Olympics • Lasting legacy through improved health • Events • Green connectivity, walking and cycling

8.8 Climate change • Beacon Status has been achieved by the Borough • East London Green Grid promoting sustainable transport • Encourage biodiversity, planting native shrubs, trees and a small wildlife meadow • Possible creation of a pond/wetland or mini beast area – could be used by local school • Creation of a sensory/wild garden area – good for equalities and diversity

8.9 Consultation • Consultation board must approve all consultations in advance

View towards Abbey Green from East Street, with Curfew Tower in the background

• Consultation Guidance Note being prepared • The Parks and Green Spaces Strategy is supported by the Parks nd Leisure Development Group’s Equalities and Diversity Impact Assessment and Action Plan (Collect, Monitor, Evaluate, Analyse, Action and Celebrate) • Need to ensure our partners and suppliers are as committed to equalities as we are • Need to deliver services over and above what is ‘reasonable’ or DDA compliant • Census and demographic data needs to be collected and analysed • Political: Ward Members, Portfolio Holder for Parks, Open Spaces and Community Safety and the Leader will need to agree any brief • NB: There is strong political opposition to any form of fencing off of parts of the site for

10 schools-only use • Publicity: regular articles celebrating what we are doing, why and when, etc • An active park Friends Group has been set up by local residents who have a strong interest in guiding the proposals. The council is committed to working in partnership with the group. Of particular concern to the Friends is ensuring that no existing trees are removed

8.10 Recommendations from previous studies and baseline data • Surveys, site and land-quality investigations • MOLAS and English Heritage’s historical data • Conservation Management plan • GWEL’s vision statement, consultation report, SWOT analysis and analysis of all previous studies • Lanarca’s Audience Development Plan • Studio 3 Arts’ audience development engagement and report • Parks and Leisure Development Equalities and Diversity Impact Assessment, Action Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

9. Entry instructions Entry deadline is 17 August 2009. The Abbey Green competition is run by the AJ and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham with Design for London, with an aim to create the most important public space in Barking, pivotal in reconnecting the heart of the town with its historical artery, the River Roding. Selected entries to the Abbey Green competition will be exhibited at a public exhibition in Barking and published in the AJ. A shortlist will be selected before the exhibition, with an overall winner selected by 30 October 2009

Jury The jury will include the following: • Cllr Bob Little, portfolio holder for culture, LBBD • Jeremy Grint, divisional head of economic development and regeneration, LBBD • Paul Hogan, divisional head of leisure and arts, LBBD • Kieran Long, editor, AJ • Representatives from DfL/LDA, tbc • Relevant independent professionals

Further details to be announced. Please see www.architectsjournal.co.uk/abbeygreen

Eligibility All levels and experience of architects are encouraged to enter. This is an OJEU competition and open internationally. The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire is a requirement for entry into the competition and can be found at www.architectsjournal.co.uk/abbeygreen

Winning entry The winning entry will be taken forward by LBBD to become the masterplan for the park to be delivered over the coming few years. LBBD will undertake all contractual negotiations and provide all necessary support to the winning architect. We reserve the right to not appoint a winner.

At Stage 1 a shortlist will be determined by the jury in advance of an exhibition and will be

11 announced in the AJ by 31 August 2009. Shortlisted entrants will be asked to present their design to a final jury with model by 16 October 2009. The winner will be announced in the AJ by 12 November 2009.

For further design work, and with a requirement to provide a model for public exhibition (model deadline 23 September), the shortlist will be provided with £5,000 design fees.

Publication Selected entries to the Abbey Green competition will be published in a dedicated issue of the AJ in September/October 2009, and a separate supplement published for distribution at the exhibition.

Exhibition Selected projects will be displayed at a public exhibition held in Barking during October 2009.

10. Entry requirements Entrants must submit:

• A completed Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (provided as a download from www.architectsjournal.co.uk/abbeygreen)

• Two A2 boards. One should use a map of the park (provided as a download at www. architectsjournal.co.uk/abbeygreen) to show the vision for the park. The second board should be used to provide more detail on that vision. See section 4 for more details

• A CD with PDF versions of the A2 boards, all text saved as a Word document without formatting (.doc or .txt) and all images saved at 300 dpi CMYK actual size

• Completed entry form

St Margaret’s churchyard wall

12 Text in English should include appropriate design credits. The visual material on the CD should include the image of each board as a .pdf file, plus three high-resolution images saved as .tif or .jpg files, which may be chosen for use as part of the exhibition and publication.

Entrants will acknowledge that the AJ, Design for London and LBBD have the right to reproduce materials in whole or part without payment of copyright.

• Entry forms Each submission must have a separate entry form and CD. All entrants must be named in the submission. Please copy the entry form where necessary.

• Delivery Entries should be properly packaged and clearly marked ‘AJ Abbey Green Competition’ on the outside. Please send entries to:

AJ Abbey Green Competition The Architects’ Journal Emap Limited Greater London House Hampstead Road London NW1 7EJ

Please ensure entries arrive by the closing date. Personal deliveries to the AJ editorial offices are accepted during normal working hours.

IMPORTANT: Your entry must be marked as NCV (no commercial value) on any courier documentation. The AJ will NOT accept any courier charges or taxes resulting from delivery.

• Return of entries Entries will not be returned. The Abbey Green competition assumes no liability for loss or damage to entries.

13 11. Appendix 1: Competition site

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Abbey Green Open Space St Margaret Church Yard

To wn Quay green link to Newham Barking Abbey

Abbey Green Primary schools St Margarets (north), St Joseph (south)

14 12. Appendix 2: Abbey Green aerial

15 13. Appendix 3: Designation sites and areas within the study area

16 ENTRY FORM

Deadline: 17 August 2009 Please complete this entry form as clearly as possible, using CAPITAL LETTERS. Photocopies may be used.

Your details

Contact name

Company years in practice

Address

City/town

Post/zip code

Country

Telephone number

Fax number

Email address

Web address

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