Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid Strategy · Sustainable Communities: Greening the Gateway...

Thames Gateway South Essex

Green Grid Strategy

April 2005GreengridConnecting green spaces South Essex

THAMES GATEWAY SOUTH ESSEXGREEN GRID STRATEGY

The Strategy is promoted by the Green Grid Partnership

and funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s(ODPM) Sustainable Communities Plan put forward in

2003 for delivering growth in the Thames Gateway. LDA

Design was appointed by the East of England Development

Agency (EEDA) in December 2003 to prepare the Strategy.

Figure 1 defines The Strategy Area.

A partnership has been brought together to take forward

the Green Grid initiative comprising:

• Founding members of the Thames Gateway South

Essex Partnership (TGSEP): Basildon District Council,

Castlepoint District Council, Rochford District Council,

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Essex County

Council, Thurrock Council

• Government agencies: Countryside Agency, Forestry

Commission, Environment Agency, English Nature, and

English Heritage

• Local/national environmental trusts: Essex Wildlife

Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, British

Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Sustrans, and

Groundwork UK

• Other non-governmental bodies and partnerships:

Thames Estuary Partnership, Thames Chase

Community Forest; and

• East of England Development Agency.

Guide to Using the Strategy

The Strategy is in three sections and supported by fiveappendices:

Section 1: provides an introduction and the backgroundto the Strategy.

Section 2: describes and analyses the resource of theStrategy Area, and describes the broadStrategic Opportunities for the Green Grid.

Section 3: describes the Vision for the Green Grid,delineates a spatial Strategic Framework forthe whole Strategy Area supported byStrategic Guidance for local authorities,

statutory agencies, planners, developers andall others with an interest in development inthe Strategy Area. It also delineates AreaFrameworks for Thurrock, Basildon andCastlepoint, and Southend and Rochford,describes key issues and opportunities, andprovides guidance.

Section 4: concludes the Strategy addressing theprinciples of delivery, communityengagement, and promotion and marketing.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Steering Group for their

guidance and support throughout the preparation of this

Strategy:

Mary Spence, Chief Executive, Thames Gateway South

Essex Partnership

Martin Wakelin, Principal Landscape Architect, Essex

County Council

Catherine Cairns, Countryside Agency

Catherine Bailey, Green Spaces Strategy Officer

John Meehan, Thames Chase Community Forest

Vince Thurkettle, Forestry Commission

Tim Caulfield, East of England Development Agency

Domenico Cirillo, East of England Development Agency

Richard Rigby, Essex County Council

Jonathan Ducker, Thames Estuary Partnership

Steve Scott, Forestry Commission

Alex Brearley, Forestry Enterprise

The Steering Group would like to thank the Green Grid

Partnership and all those who participated in the

Workshops, and those who gave us their time in numerous

individual meetings.

The Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid Strategy is

also available on CD-Rom from:

Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid Partnership

3rd Floor, Acorn House

Great Oaks, Basildon

Essex, SS14 1AH

Tel: 01268 595345

www.greengrid.co.uk

2 1899 / Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid Strategy

Contents

Executive Summary

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background1.2 Purpose, Aims and Objectives of the Strategy1.3 Policy Context1.4 Other Thames Gateway Green Grid, and

strategic environmental infrastructure initiatives

1.5 The economic argument for investment in the Green Grid

2.0 The Resource

2.1 Land Resources and Natural Systems:GeologyHydrologyTopography Biodiversity

2.2 Land Use and Human Systems:Urban development Access and movementArchaeology, historic and cultural resourcesLandscape characterDesignated public open space

2.3 Climate Change

3.0 Strategic Opportunities

4.0 Strategic Frameworks and Guidance

4.1 The Harlequin Landscape4.2 Sense of Place, Sense of Belonging4.3 Overall Strategic Framework

ParkwaysUrban Green RoadwaysRailwaysRiverwaysGreenways

4.4 Strategic Area Frameworks4.5 Thurrock Strategic Area Framework4.6 Basildon and Castle Point Strategic Area

Framework4.7 Southend and Rochford Strategic Area

Framework4.8 Strategic Guidance

4.8.1 Accessibility4.8.2 Planning4.8.3 Character - landscape, townscape and

riverscape4.8.4 Biodiversity4.8.5 Archaeology, historical and cultural

resources4.8.6 Flood risk and water management4.8.7 Education, skills and learning4.8.8 Leisure and Recreation4.8.9 Urban form4.8.10 Views and landmarks4.8.11 Infrastructure4.8.12 Healthy living and mental health4.8.13 Social and economic benefits

5.0 Making it Happen

5.1 Community engagement5.2 Promotion and marketing5.3 The time is right, the time is now

Appendices

Appendix 1: Policy ContextAppendix 2: Summary of workshops and

consultationAppendix 3: Index of collated informationAppendix 4: Landscape Character AnalysisAppendix 5: CD-Rom: Thames Gateway South Essex

Green Grid Strategy, GIS data

This document has been prepared and checked in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 : 2000

1899 / Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid Strategy 3


Executive SummaryWhat is the Green Grid?

TThhaammeess GGaatteewwaayy SSoouutthh EEsssseexx sits within the ThamesGateway which is a national government priority forregeneration and development. The government expects4433,,880000 hhoommeess to be built, and 5555,,000000 jjoobbss to be createdwithin TThhuurrrroocckk,, BBaassiillddoonn,, CCaassttllee PPooiinntt,, RRoocchhffoorrdd aannddSSoouutthheenndd bbyy 22002211. There will be regeneration withinexisting communities and new development will be onpreviously developed land.

The government is also committed to developingssuussttaaiinnaabbllee ccoommmmuunniittiieess. This means meeting thessoocciiaall,, eeccoonnoommiicc aanndd eennvviirroonnmmeennttaall requirements oftoday’s communities without compromising the abilityof future communities to meet their requirements.

SSuussttaaiinnaabbllee CCoommmmuunniittiieess:: GGrreeeenniinngg tthhee GGaatteewwaayy makesa powerful case for the government’s expectations of ahigh quality, functional green space network throughoutthe Thames Gateway. The TThhaammeess GGaatteewwaayy SSoouutthh EEsssseexxGGrreeeenn GGrriidd SSttrraatteeggyy is an equally powerful response tothat expectation.

Our Vision is to achieve:

AA lliivviinngg ssyysstteemm tthhrreeaaddiinngg tthhrroouugghh tthhee uurrbbaann aanndd rruurraallllaannddssccaappee,, ccoonnnneeccttiinngg ppllaacceess tthhaatt aarree aattttrraaccttiivvee ttooppeeooppllee,, wwiillddlliiffee aanndd bbuussiinneessss,, aanndd pprroovviiddiinngg cclleeaann aaiirr,,ffoooodd,, wwaatteerr,, eenneerrggyy,, mmiinneerraallss aanndd mmaatteerriiaallss..

This is a radical vision which places:

• LLaannddssccaappee aatt tthhee hheeaarrtt ooff tthhee ddeevveellooppmmeenntt pprroocceessss;;and

• EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaall pprroocceessss aatt tthhee hheeaarrtt ooff ssuussttaaiinnaabblleeddeevveellooppmmeenntt aanndd tthhee eeccoonnoommyy..

It is a vision which will require sustained investmentand long-term commitment from national, regional andlocal politicians, communities, businesses, developers,the voluntary sector and other institutions. It proposesnothing less than an eennvviirroonnmmeennttaall iinnffrraassttrruuccttuurree thatpprrootteeccttss,, eennhhaanncceess and ccrreeaatteess nneeww:

• aarreeaass ooff oouuttssttaannddiinngg llaannddssccaappee,, rriivveerrssccaappee aannddttoowwnnssccaappee cchhaarraacctteerr

• bbiiooddiivveerrssiittyy vvaalluuee• aarrcchhaaeeoollooggiiccaall,, ccuullttuurraall aanndd bbuuiilltt hheerriittaaggee;; aanndd• sseettttiinnggss ffoorr ddeevveellooppmmeenntt;; vviieewwss aanndd llaannddmmaarrkkss

and that:

• pprroommootteess ssuussttaaiinnaabbllee eenneerrggyy pprroodduuccttiioonn• pprroovviiddeess ffoorr cclleeaann aaiirr,, ffoooodd aanndd wwaatteerr• mmaannaaggeess fflloooodd rriisskk• aammeelliioorraatteess tthhee eeffffeeccttss ooff cclliimmaattee cchhaannggee;; aanndd• pprroommootteess hheeaalltthhyy lliivviinngg,, aa ssttrroonngg sseennssee ooff

ccoommmmuunniittyy aanndd aa ssuussttaaiinnaabbllee eeccoonnoommyy..

It will link every resident with the fine townscapes,landscapes and riverscapes in the area from DDoooorrsstteeppttoo CCoouunnttrryyssiiddee aanndd EEssttuuaarryy by foot, by bicycle, by roadand by rail via a sequence of civic squares, streets,boulevards, parks, gardens, green corridors, outdoorsports areas, children’s play areas, allotment andcommunity gardens, city farms, cemeteries andchurchyards, country parks, hills, marshes, creeks,estuaries, etc. The notion of the HHaarrlleeqquuiinn LLaannddssccaappee isalso promoted to ensure that the emotional dimensionsof outdoor space are not forgotten.

The Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid Strategyis promoted by:

• local government members of the Thames GatewaySouth Essex Partnership;

• government agencies;• local and national environmental trusts;• other non-governmental bodies and partnerships;

and• the regional development agency.

What is the Resource?

The Strategy begins by establishing the national,regional, and local ppoolliiccyy ccoonntteexxtt for the Green Grid.Through a series of consultations with keystakeholders, the documentation and analysis of theexisting resource was verified, and the multipleSSttrraatteeggiicc TThheemmeess to be addressed by the Strategyidentified, these are listed below under StrategicFrameworks and Guidance. The existing resource baseanalysed includes:

• Geology• Hydrology• Topography

Executive Summary

Walkers at Coalhouse Fort


Executive Summary

• Biodiversity• Developed/non-developed areas• Access and movement• Archaeological, historic and cultural resources• Designated public open space; and• Landscape character.

The potential implications of climate change are alsodiscussed.

There are some fine landscapes, townscapes andriverscapes within the area. From the estuary, creeks,and marshes, often juxtaposed with impressiveindustrial and commercial facilities, to the more ruraland hilly landscapes of HHaaddlleeiigghh and BBeennfflleeeett. There isalso an impressive cultural resource includingCCooaallhhoouussee and TTiillbbuurryy FFoorrttss,, PPrriittttlleewweellll PPrriioorryy andSSoouutthheenndd PPiieerr. There is great wildlife value -particularly the Thames Estuary, the marshes andpockets of aanncciieenntt wwooooddllaanndd.

As part of the analysis of the resource base, theconstraints and opportunities presented by eachresource are identified and summarised in the SSttrraatteeggiiccOOppppoorrttuunniittiieess plan which sets out the potential forspatial GGrreeeenn GGrriidd FFrraammeewwoorrkkss. The SSttrraatteeggiiccOOppppoorrttuunniittiieess plan provides the link between theanalysis of the resource and the OOvveerraallll SSttrraatteeggiiccFFrraammeewwoorrkk, and the SSttrraatteeggiicc AArreeaa FFrraammeewwoorrkkss forTThhuurrrroocckk;; BBaassiillddoonn aanndd CCaassttllee PPooiinntt; and SSoouutthheenndd aannddRRoocchhffoorrdd. It also provides the link for the SSttrraatteeggiiccGGuuiiddaannccee based on the SSttrraatteeggiicc TThheemmeess.

Strategic Frameworks and Guidance

The Green Grid will be delivered to a large extentthrough the planning system. The Strategy is, therefore,intended to influence the preparation of the RReeggiioonnaallSSppaattiiaall SSttrraatteeggyy,, LLooccaall DDeevveellooppmmeenntt FFrraammeewwoorrkkss aannddDDooccuummeennttss,, RReeggeenneerraattiioonn FFrraammeewwoorrkkss and all masterplans and development proposals. The Strategy isintended to provide the context for the preparation oflocal authorities PPaarrkkss aanndd OOppeenn SSppaaccee SSttrraatteeggiieessprepared in accordance with PPPPGG1177:: OOppeenn SSppaaccee,,SSppoorrttss aanndd RReeccrreeaattiioonn..

The Green Grid will also be delivered throughinvestment in, and the implementation of publictransport, utilities and stand-alone environmentalinfrastructure projects. Consequently, the Strategy setsout spatial framework plans supported by SSttrraatteeggiiccGGuuiiddaannccee addressing each of the SSttrraatteeggiicc TThheemmeess inorder to ensure ’joined-up’ delivery.

The OOvveerraallll SSttrraatteeggiicc FFrraammeewwoorrkk covers the whole ofthe Strategy Area; the SSttrraatteeggiicc AArreeaa FFrraammeewwoorrkkss coverThurrock; Basildon and Castle Point, and Southend andRochford.

The Frameworks delineate four SSttrraatteeggiicc CCoorrrriiddoorrtypes:

• PPaarrkkwwaayyss aanndd uurrbbaann ggrreeeenn rrooaaddwwaayyss - majorhighways that will need to be upgraded and providethe opportunity for a design and environmentaldesign-led approach rather than a purelyengineering one;

• RRiivveerrwwaayyss - as corridors and sequences of spacesand places;

• RRaaiillwwaayyss - as ecological corridors, a window on thelandscape with stations recognized as gateways tothe Green Grid;

• GGrreeeennwwaayyss - national, regional and sub-regionalfootpaths/cyclepaths; and

five SSttrraatteeggiicc nnooddee types:

• SSttrraatteeggiicc PPaarrkkss - existing and proposed;• SSttrraatteeggiicc DDeessttiinnaattiioonnss;• SSttrraatteeggiicc LLaannddmmaarrkkss - existing and proposed;• SSttrraatteeggiicc VViieewwss aanndd VViieewwppooiinnttss;• SSttrraatteeggiicc BBrriiddggiinngg PPooiinnttss.

The KKeeyy IIssssuueess aanndd OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess relevant to eachSSttrraatteeggiicc CCoorrrriiddoorr are identified and a VViissiioonn for eachdefined. The SSttrraatteeggiicc AArreeaa FFrraammeewwoorrkkss are alsosupported by the identification of KKeeyy iissssuueess aannddOOppppoorrttuunniittiieess, and by GGuuiiddaannccee specific to the area.

Seafront path at Southend


Executive Summary

SSttrraatteeggiicc GGuuiiddaannccee is provided that elaborates andsupports the OOvveerraallll and AArreeaa FFrraammeewwoorrkk PPllaannss. TheGGuuiiddaannccee is based on following SSttrraatteeggiicc TThheemmeess andwritten in the form of a checklist for ease of use byplanners, developers and all stakeholders:

• Accessibility• Planning• Character - landscape, townscape and riverscape• Biodiversity• Archaeological, historical and cultural resources• Flood risk and water management• Education, skills and learning• Leisure and recreation• Urban form• Views and landmarks• Infrastructure• Positive physical and mental health; and• Social and economic benefits.

Community Engagement

Change on the scale envisaged in South Essex will alsorequire that ccoommmmuunniittyy ccaappaacciittyy iiss bbuuiilltt ttoo aacccceepptt iitt aannddssuuppppoorrtt it. Existing communities are fearful that newdevelopment may destroy much of what they valueabout where they live, lead to more congestion, anddivert investment into new developments at the expenseof the existing areas that need enhancing. These arethe twin instinctive reactions to change on this scale:firstly that we have reached the limits of the existingenvironment to support it; and secondly, that we havereached the limits of existing communities’ capacity togrow and develop. Engagement of existing and newcommunities is, therefore, an important aspect of theGreen Grid and offers an enlightened way of buildingcommunity capacity by engaging them in the process ofenvironmental change and involvement in delivery.

Promotion and Marketing

Promotion, branding, marketing and investment arecrucial aspects in engendering political and communitysupport for the Strategy and its delivery. It is alsocrucial to encouraging use by the community, andpromoting tourism. The Green Grid can form a keyelement in promoting the area to outside investors -there is no doubt that high quality environments, attracthigh quality people, who attract high quality businesses.

Oil refineries at Shellhaven and Coryton


The time is right, the time is now

We have a once in a generation opportunity to developcommunities fit for the twenty-first century. The GreenGrid is a substantial part of the overall vision for SouthEssex. It is a vital part of the mechanism for deliveringsustainable communities, and has the capacity totransform once and for all the image of ThamesGateway South Essex.

Marshland reeds

Executive Summary


1.0 Introduction1.1 Background

Thames Gateway South Essex sits within the ThamesGateway which is a national government priority forregeneration and growth (Figure 1: The Strategy Area,Figure 3: Environmental Infrastructure Planning in theThames Gateway). The success of the London and South-East economy is driving demands for 43,800 homes to bebuilt, and 55,000 jobs to be created in the five localauthorities of South Essex by 2021, this is as identified inthe Draft Spatial Strategy (East of England Plan). Theextensive brownfield sites along the Thames will providemuch of the space to accommodate the growth necessaryto maintain region’s economic function, provide essentialhousing and facilitate regeneration.

Change on this scale will require significant investment inthe ‘functional green infrastructure’ which must be builtalongside the transport, utilities, and buildingsinfrastructure. The Government have recognised this andpublished Creating Sustainable Communities: Greeningthe Gateway which sets out the core principles that theGovernment believes should be adopted in the planningand design of greenspaces in the Thames Gateway. It callsfor a multi-functional network of attractive and accessible

green spaces that can link inner urban areas to rural areasand help to improve health, provide for flood storage, filterpollution, encourage wildlife, and provide shelter and agreen framework within which people can enjoy living andworking. Greening the Gateway is a powerful statement ofintent that:

Promotes:

• green space infrastructure planning in the ThamesGateway

• the government’s expectation of ‘extremely highstandards’ in the design and implementation of newdevelopments; and

• the central role of accessible green space in securingsustainable economic and social regeneration, and thegovernment’s desire to see the Thames Gateway‘become a world class model of sustainabledevelopment, with the living landscape at its heart’.

It also recognises:

• the ‘impressive natural and historic heritage’ of thearea; and

• the need for its protection and enhancement throughthe regeneration process.

Figure 1 The Strategy Area

1.0 IntroductionN

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Biodiversity

Archaeology historical andcultural resources

Flood risk/water management

Education, skills and learning

Leisure and recreation

Urban Form

Views and Landmarks

Infrastructure

Positive physical and mentalhealth

Social and Economic benefits

SSttrraatteeggiicc TThheemmeess

Figure 2: Cross-Cutting Themes and Principles


It calls for the landscape to be regarded as:

• the ‘functional green infrastructure’ needed to create a‘positive sense of place, provide environmentalprotection for local communities and enhance quality oflife’.

It looks forward to:

• the ‘emergence of a continuous linked network ofvaried landscapes, both within and between built-upareas’; and

• recognises that this will take 25-30 years to come tofruition.

GGrreeeenniinngg tthhee GGaatteewwaayy IImmpplleemmeennttaattiioonn PPllaann and DDeelliivveerriinnggtthhee TThhaammeess GGaatteewwaayy expand the concepts described by theGGrreeeenniinngg tthhee GGaatteewwaayy and set out the delivery frameworkand Government strategy for the development of the sub-region as a growth area

The Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid Strategy(the Strategy) develops the policies, principles andconceptual approach of Greening the Gateway by:

• identifying the RReessoouurrccee that exists• identifying the ccoonnssttrraaiinnttss aanndd ooppppoorrttuunniittiieess in

developing the green grid

• proposing a spatial Strategic Framework for the wholeof the Strategy Area, and Strategic Area Frameworksfor Thurrock; Basildon and Castle Point; and Southendand Rochford; and

• promoting Strategic Guidance based on the StrategicThemes as follows:

• Accessibility• Planning• Character - landscape, townscape and riverscape• Biodiversity• Archaeological, historical and cultural resources• Flood risk and water management• Education, skills and learning• Leisure and recreation• Urban form• Views and landmarks• Infrastructure• Positive physical and mental health; and• Social and economic benefits.

These Strategic Themes relate closely to the coreprinciples of Greening the Gateway and have beendeveloped through consultation, site reconnaissance andreview of best practice. FFiigguurree 22:: CCrroossss--CCuuttttiinngg TThheemmeessaanndd PPrriinncciipplleess illustrates the links between Greening theGateway and this Strategy.

Green Infrastructure Plans In the Thames Gateway

North Kent regional park Thames Path City to Sea

Thames Chase Community Forest

Figure 3 Environmental Infrastructure Planning in the Thames Gateway

1.0 Introduction


1.2 Purpose, Aims and Objectives of the Strategy

The ppuurrppoossee of the Strategy is to:

• Provide a holistic and long-term vision for thesustainable future development and management ofthe Strategy Area

• Define an environmental infrastructure that promotesthe establishment and management of appropriatecharacter settings; and

• Provides the context for development over the long-term.

The principal aaiimmss for the Strategy are to propose:

• A Strategy for the development and management of theoverall Green Grid in South Essex.

The key oobbjjeeccttiivveess of the Green Grid are to:

• embrace different habitats and land uses across ruraland urban boundaries

• connect new communities with existingneighbourhoods and the regenerated riverside acrossspatial and conceptual boundaries, providing improved‘access for all’

• conserve and enhance existing sites and links• conserve and enhance biodiversity• create well-designed and high quality new elements in

identified areas of opportunity and need• contribute to improved environmental sustainability and

enhancement through flood-risk management,improved air and water quality and noise abatement

• create a distinctive ‘sense of place’ throughenhancement and celebration of landscape characterand heritage

• enhance the image and confidence in South Essex as ahigh quality place to live, work and invest

• engage all communities with an interest in theplanning, management and celebration of the network

• plan and promote the network as part of a broadersustainable environmental agenda including thetransport system

• promote use of the network for recreation and tourism,education and healthy living; and

• promote employment creation, and learning and skillsdevelopment through environmental activity.

1.3 Policy Context

The following are selected key regional policies andstrategies influencing regeneration and development inSouth Essex, and this Strategy. Figure 4 illustrates otherkey policies and strategies influencing development andregeneration in South Essex. Appendix 2 provides adescription of the full policy context.

Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England, DraftRSS (East of England Plan)

Draft RSS (East of England Plan) sets out a strategy toguide development in the East of England up to 2021. Withregard to green space planning, it seeks to protect andenhance the diversity and local distinctiveness oflandscape character, and to identify, develop andimplement an environmental infrastructure. In particularit promotes local development documents that:

• Provide connected and substantial networks ofaccessible multi-functional green space, in urban,urban fringe and adjacent countryside areas to servicethe new communities

• Have a multiple hierarchy of provision of environmentalinfrastructure, in terms of location, function, size andlevel of use

• Provide and safeguard environmental infrastructurebased on the analysis of existing natural, historic,cultural and landscape assets, and identification of newassets to deliver the environmental infrastructure

• Identify Biodiversity Conservation Areas and BiodiversityEnhancement Areas to deliver large scale habitatenhancement; and

• Set targets for the provision for natural green spacewithin development areas.

It also encourages:

• Appropriate management and expansion of wildlifecorridors that are important for the migration anddispersal of wildlife

• The establishment of networks of semi-natural greenspaces in built up areas

• Increased woodland consistent with landscapecharacter; and

• The identification, protection, conservation andenhancement of the historic environment.

1.0 Introduction

Historic artefact near Coalhouse Fort


Creating Sustainable Communities: Greening theGateway, ODPM, January 2004

GGrreeeenniinngg tthhee GGaatteewwaayy, as noted in the Introduction, setsout the core principles that the Government believesshould be adopted in the planning and design of greenspaces in the Thames Gateway. It is not intended to be aspatial plan, but calls for a network of attractive andaccessible green spaces that link inner urban areas torural areas, are multi-functional and can help to improvehealth, provide flood storage, filter pollution, encouragewildlife, provide shelter and a green framework withinwhich people can enjoy living and working.

Making it Happen: Thames Gateway and growth areas,ODPM, July 2003

MMaakkiinngg iitt HHaappppeenn reports the progress of delivering growthin the Thames Gateway and the Growth Areas.

Creating Sustainable Communities: Greening theGateway Implementation Plan, ODPM, February 2005

The IImmpplleemmeennttaattiioonn PPllaann sets out the delivery frameworkfor GGrreeeenniinngg tthhee GGaatteewwaayy. It clarifies how Government, itsAgencies and its funding will support the delivery ofgreenspace. It also broadly outlines the strategic rolesenvisaged for other delivery agents in the Thames Gatewayand how these contribute to the overall framework.

Creating Sustainable Communities: Delivering theThames Gateway, ODPM, March 2005

DDeelliivveerriinngg tthhee TThhaammeess GGaatteewwaayy is the Government strategyfor developing the Thames Gateway sub-region as a growtharea. It demonstrates what has been achieved to date,provides key priorities and direction for the future, showinghow the programme will be rolled forward. The documenthighlights current and future initiatives related toimprovements in transport; education and health; housing;and the environment. Those relevant to this Strategy are:

• £400 million for transport projects, in addition to the£600 million previously allocated;

• £40 million investment in three new universities andcolleges in SSoouutthheenndd, Medway and Royal Docks;

• Agreement between the three regional planning bodies,in the Inter-Regional Planning Statement, that theGateway has the potential for 128,500 homes, spreadacross London, North Kent and South Essex;

• A strategic vision for green spaces, set out in GGrreeeenniinnggtthhee GGaatteewwaayy, and a follow-up IImmpplleemmeennttaattiioonn PPllaann,which explains how the vision will be translated intoreality;

• 80% of new development on brownfield land, protectingvaluable greenfield space;

• A strengthened planning framework to ensure localauthorities take account of flood risk in theirdevelopment frameworks and in planning decisions(revised PPS25 on flooding to be published early 2006).

1.0 Introduction

South Essex South Essex A region where A region where people choose to people choose to live, work, play live, work, play and spend moneyand spend money

Thames GatewaySouth Essex Green GridStrategy Green Grid Delivery Partnership

Sustainable Communities:Greening the GatewayOffice of the Deputy PrimeMinister

A Vision for the FutureThames Gateway South Essex Partnership

Environmental StrategyEast of EnglandEnvironment Forum

Thames Gateway PlanningFramework 1995 (RPG9A)Government Office

Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England,Draft RSS (East of England Plan)East of England Regional Assembly

East of EnglandRegional EconomicStrategy East of England Development Agency

Sustainability Development Framework East of England Regional Assembly/ East of England Sustainable Development Round Table

Urban RenaissanceStrategyEast of England Development Agency

A Welcome Home -A Sense of Place fora New Thames GatewayEnglish Heritage

Figure 4 Selected key regional policies andstrategies influencing regeneration anddevelopment in South Essex

It also provides an investment pledge of GGoovveerrnnmmeennttffuunnddiinngg in the Gateway to facilitate growth andregeneration:

• £475 million from the Thames Gateway ProgrammeFund for projects that will support growth andregeneration, improving the quality of life for existingand new residents. The budget to 2008 is £850 million;and

• £6 billion across Government as a whole to ensure thedelivery of sustainable communities.

LLoonnggeerr tteerrmm ggooaallss for proposed infrastructure andinvestment relevant to this Strategy are:

BByy 22001100::

• At least 60,000 new homes will be built across theGateway, helping to make home ownership moreaffordable for local residents and key workers;

• The Code for Sustainable Buildings will be in use bydevelopers, raising the environmental standards ofhousing; and

• There will be a well-used green network which links upcommunities through high quality green space.

BByy 22001166::

• At least 120,000 homes will be built across theGateway, of which at least 35% will be affordable forrent or for purchase by first time buyers including keyworkers;

• The 53,000 hectares of greenspace in the Gateway willbe protected, enhanced and added to, and accessibilitywill be increased for local residents;

• All the major strategic locations in the Gateway (whichinclude large areas of derelict and contaminatedbrownfield land) will have been substantially developed,providing a mix of homes, jobs and amenities in newsustainable communities.

The document emphasises that the regeneration of theThames Gateway will be delivered through a ppaarrttnneerrsshhiippaapppprrooaacchh, engaging both the public and private sector.

It describes the ddeelliivveerryy ssttrruuccttuurree for the Gateway:

• An ODPM Thames Gateway Delivery Unit, on site in theGateway, to drive forward action;

• The local delivery vehicle framework for South Essexconsists of TThhuurrrroocckk UUrrbbaann DDeevveellooppmmeenntt CCoorrppoorraattiioonnand the two regeneration partnerships of BBaassiillddoonnRReennaaiissssaannccee and RReennaaiissssaannccee SSoouutthheenndd. (Refer toFigure 10 Predominantly Urban/Non-Urban Areas andLocations of Local Delivery Vehicles).

It promotes the concepts of:

• ssttrraatteeggiicc ddeevveellooppmmeenntt llooccaattiioonnss in TThhuurrrroocckk; Stratford,Lower Lea and the Royal Docks; Greenwich Peninsulaand Woolwich; London Riverside; North KentThameside; and Medway Waterfront; and

• uurrbbaann rreenneewwaall aarreeaass in Barking; BBaassiillddoonn; Bexley;Sittingbourne and Swale; and SSoouutthheenndd.

KKeeyy pprriinncciipplleess of the SSttrraatteeggiicc VViissiioonn are to:

• Support good quality, sustainable development thatintegrates successfully with existing communities;

• Return derelict and contaminated brownfield land toproductive use;

• Preserve and enhance the Gateway’s richenvironmental and cultural heritage;

• Promote the prosperity and vitality of town centres andlocal businesses;

• Ensure that infrastructure and local services are inplace when the community needs them;

• See that investment and change respond closely to theneeds of all residents and promotes social inclusion;and

• Respect and develop the diversity of Gatewaycommunities.

The document promotes sustainable communities in theGateway which are:

• AAccttiivvee,, iinncclluussiivvee aanndd ssaaffee - fair, tolerant and cohesivewith a strong local culture and other shared communityactivities;

• WWeellll rruunn - with effective and inclusive participation,representation and leadership;

• EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaallllyy sseennssiittiivvee - providing places for peopleto live that are considerate of the environment;

• WWeellll ddeessiiggnneedd aanndd bbuuiilltt - featuring a quality built andnatural environment;

• WWeellll ccoonnnneecctteedd - with good transport services andcommunications linking people to jobs, schools, healthand other services;


1.0 Introduction

View to Admiralty Boom at Shoeburyness


• TThhrriivviinngg - with a flourishing and diverse local economy;• WWeellll sseerrvveedd - with public, private, community and

voluntary services that are appropriate to people’sneeds and accessible to all; and

• FFaaiirr ffoorr eevveerryyoonnee - including those in othercommunities, now and in the future.

These documents make it clear, however, that these plansare subject to the review of regional spatial strategies.Consequently, the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy forthe East of England will provide the key regional policycontext for this Strategy.

A Vision for the Future, Thames Gateway South EssexPartnership (TGSEP)

The Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership havedeveloped regeneration objectives for Thames GatewaySouth Essex and these are set out in the TGSEP first-stageplanning document, ‘A Vision for the future’ launched inAutumn 2001 and expanded in ‘Strategic Framework -Delivering the Future’ launched in July 2003. Six broadthemes are described with objectives which include thecreation of 35,000 new jobs from regeneration around theexisting urban areas and redevelopment of brownfieldsites. Achieving this capacity will be dependent onsignificant improvements to transport infrastructure,public transport services and environmental infrastructure.The link between an attractive environment and thrivingeconomies has been recognised within the partnership’svision. The report promotes action to ‘bring the naturalenvironment closer to communities by developing a GreenGrid linking urban and rural environments’. The SouthEssex Green Grid is a key component in the regenerationprocess, promoting opportunities to improve quality of lifeand creating a better sense of place for the region.

1.4 Other Thames Gateway Green Grid, and Strategic Green Infrastructure Initiatives

There are several Green Grid and other strategic openspace planning initiatives underway in the ThamesGateway that complement and support this Strategy andvice-versa. Environmental Infrastructure Planning in theThames Gateway (Figure 3) illustrates the boundaries andextent of the following strategies that are at various stagesof development:

• Thames Strategy East• East London Green Grid• Kent Thameside Green Grid• The Green Arc• North Kent Regional Park• Thames Path City to Sea; and• Thames Chase Community Forest.

Other initiatives such as GGrreeeenn GGaatteewwaayy and the RReeggiioonnaallWWooooddllaanndd SSttrraatteeggyy ffoorr tthhee EEaasstt ooff EEnnggllaanndd focus on thecontribution that trees and woodland can make to greeninfrastructure in the region.

The Thames Chase Partnership is a successful exampleof strategic greenspace planning and implementation. Ithas doubled the amount of greenspace within itsboundaries from 9% to 17% proving that greenspacecreation is viable.

1.5 The economic argument for investment in the Green Grid

There is no doubting the economic benefits of investing inthe Green Grid as envisaged in this Strategy. Places asdiverse as Boston, New York, Minneapolis, Portland,Oregon and Boulder, Colorado in the United States; andZurich, Aarhus, Copenhagen and Stuttgart in Europe; andMelbourne, Australia all prove that high qualityenvironments, attract high quality people, and high qualitybusinesses. CABE Space’s ‘Is the grass greener...?’ reportprovides detailed information on the successful deliveryand funding of parks, open spaces and greeninfrastructure.

Boulder, Colorado has been investing a dedicated portion

of its sales tax in buying and developing a comprehensive

parks system which ranges from its downtown mall and

park to mountain wilderness areas since the 1960s. It now

has the highest percentage of post-graduate residents in

the United States. Portland, Oregon has similarly been

investing in its parks and open spaces since Olmsted

planned it in the early 1900s, most recently through a Bond

Issue worth $135 million - people moving their typically

take an average reduction in salary of $4,750/annum.

Parks Victoria has completely recast itself as a leader in

the design, development, management and maintenance of

1.0 Introduction

Tilbury Power Station


public parks in the last 10 years - Melbourne is in the top

ten “best places to live in the world”. Quality of life

matters to people.

There is also no doubt that investment in public open

space enhances land values. Properties within three blocks

of Central Park, New York rose by nine-and-two-thirds in

the fifteen years following its completion, elsewhere in

New York they only doubled.

According to Alexander Garvin, Minneapolis has ‘the best-

located, best-financed, best-designed, best-maintained

public open space system in America.’ The statistics are

impressive, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

serves a city population of around 360,000 (with a regional

population of approximately 1 million) and is responsible

for parks and open spaces covering almost 2,582ha (6,380

acres) with twenty-two lakes making up 566ha (1,400acres)

of the total area. There are approximately 170 park

properties ranging from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

- part of the world famous Walker Art Center - to athletics

tracks. The raison d’être for the parks system was

economic. An independent Parks Board was proposed by

the Minneapolis Board of Trade in 1883 who explained:

The rapid growth of our city . . . warns us that the time has

come when, if ever, steps should be taken to secure the

necessary land for such a grand system of Parks and

Boulevards as the natural situation offer and will give to

Minneapolis, not only the finest and most beautiful system

of Public Parks and Boulevards of any city in America, but

which, when secured and located as they can now be at a

comparatively small expense, will, in the near future, add

many millions to the real estate value of our city.

On its establishment 1883, the Park Board was charged

with establishing, managing and maintaining a parks

system; crucially, it was given the power to issue bonds,

levy taxes, and condemn property. It therefore, had the

wherewithal to design, build, manage and maintain the

parks. Furthermore, the Park Board is elected and,

therefore, democratically accountable. More than 100

years later, the parks and open spaces form a complete

and connected system and yet are still being developed

and extended as Minneapolis continues to grow and

change.

The Strategy promotes high quality environmental

infrastructure that in turn promotes high quality

development and vice-versa. High quality environments

yield, over time, higher property values. We therefore need

to explore ways of capturing back a part of that rise in

value not only to pay back early capital investment, but

also to ensure adequate funding for its management and

maintenance in perpetuity. This will encourage investor

confidence and facilitate positive marketing of Thames

Gateway South Essex as a high quality and attractive place

to live, work and play forever.

The concept of the ‘working landscape’, of placing a value

on ‘environmental functions’ performed by the

environmental infrastructure such as flood risk

management, water cleansing through reed bed systems,

reduction in urban ‘heat island’ temperatures through

extensive tree planting, promotion of healthy living through

preventative health-care, etc., need to be costed, agreed

and signed up to.

1.0 Introduction

St. Clements Church and Proctor Gamble Factory at Tilbury


View to Hadleigh Castle on the escarpment above Hadleigh Marsh

Saltmarshes around Benfleet Creek on the Thames Estuary

2.0 The Resource

2.0 The ResourceSouth Essex is very diverse with a mix of urban, rural,marshland and industrial areas. Consequently, it has agreat diversity of landscape, townscape and riverscapecharacters. The resource varies from excellent to poor, butin general, post-war development is the poorer and ingreater need of enhancement both in itself, and in relationto the overall landscape, townscape and riverscape.

The Strategy, therefore, aims to ensure that existing urbanareas with their streets, squares, parks, boulevards, towncentres and other facilities, are enhanced and connected tothe urban fringe and the more rural areas to satisfy themultiple needs for leisure, recreation, flood risk and waterquality management, local food production, biodiversity,education, energy production, waste management, etc. TheStrategy also looks towards new development andinfrastructure projects to ensure the best of the resourceis protected and enhanced, distinctive new settingscreated, and any necessary negative impacts mitigated.

Consequently, this section describes the resource thatexists within the Strategy Area. It analyses andsummarises the significance of the resource andopportunities in relation to the Strategic Themes outlinedin Section 1.

It first documents, analyses and summarises the landresource and natural systems comprising geology,hydrology, topography and biodiversity. It then documentsand analyses the land use and human systems resource ofdeveloped/non-developed areas, the Zones of Change andlocal delivery vehicles; access and movement includingroads, railways, footpaths, cycleways and bridleways;archaeology, historic and cultural resources; designatedpublic open space and; landscape character. Finally, thereis a brief discussion on the impacts of climate change.

A CD-Rom of the Strategy is available from ThamesGateway South Essex Green Grid Partnership which allowsgreater scrutiny of the mapped data.

It should be noted that the data was gathered throughout2004 and is subject to change.


2.1 Land Resources and Natural Systems

Figure 5 Geology maps the geology of Essex. Figure 6Minerals and Waste defines those areas within theStrategy Area where there are existing or approvedquarries, landfills and other mineral and waste activities.

Geology

The Resource:

• Sedimentary rocks include Chalk and Thanet Sandswhich outcrop in Thurrock and Claygate, and BagshotSands and Gravels which outcrop on the Langdon andBenfleet Hills. London Clay underlies much of the restof the Strategy area

• There are areas of pre-glacial river terrace gravels andperiglacial brickearth deposits particularly in theSouthend area.

• Large areas of more recent alluvial soils are found inthe Mardyke Valley and along the Thames Estuary ofwhich the Saltmarsh and Mudflat fringe is the mostrecently deposited.

• There is a history of geological exploitation in the area,with large chalk quarries, sand and gravel pitsconcentrated in the Thurrock area

• The main current landfill site is at Newlands inmarshes west of Canvey Island

• Large potential landfill sites occur around East Tilbury;and

• Saltmarshes represent the current phase of geologicalformation.

Analysis and Opportunities:

• Influences local and regional distinctiveness -topography, soils, land use, biodiversity, landscapecharacter

• Educational, cultural and recreational benefits -interpretation of geological features, historic andcultural legacy; and

• Economic and social benefits relate mainly toextraction industry and the sensitive planning anddesign of after-use of mineral and landfill sites whichcould make a significant contribution to the Green Gridnetwork.

Summary:

The geology (in conjunction with the topography) of theStrategy Area offers great opportunities for education,interpretation and expressing distinctiveness. It should bea consideration in all development proposals so thatgeological and topographical character inform thedesigned experience. Additionally, the minerals and wastemapping indicates areas where opportunities for creativecontributions to the Green Grid are possible.

Figure 5 Geology (courtesy of Essex County Council 1998)

2.0 The Resource


Hydrology

Figure 7 Hydrology maps the flood plains of the Estuary, itstributaries and river catchments to the north of theStrategy Area.

The Resource:

• Hydrology within the Strategy Area is dominated by theRiver Thames, its estuary and tributaries to the south,and the rivers Crouch and Roach and their tributariesto the north.


• River and tributary corridors provide good physical linksfor walking, cycling and for ecology

• Rivers and tributaries influence local and regionaldistinctiveness - topography, soils, land use,biodiversity, landscape character

• The water resource is a major contributor tobiodiversity

• The rivers and tributaries are a major contributor to thearchaeological, historic and cultural resource

• Large, low-lying areas beside the Thames, Crouch andRoach estuaries are at risk of flooding by high tides,consequently, comprehensive flood risk managementproposals based on Strategic Flood Risk Assessmentsprovide the opportunity to ensure that multiple benefitsfor people and wildlife are achieved. The benefits ofwoodland planting in floodplains in reducing peaks andtroughs of flow rates should be considered, althoughthis option would not be appropriate where thelandscape character is distinctly open, e.g. marshes

• The flood risk adjacent to inland rivers and tributariesis generally localised, however, as above, multiplebenefits of comprehensive flood risk managementproposals are possible

• A Flood Risk Management Strategy is not available forthe Strategy Area

• Educational potential - interpretation of river andestuary features including historical exploitation andcultural context of marshes and water courses; historicand contemporary uses and changing perception ofthe Thames Estuary

• Tourism, leisure and recreational potential - fishing,sailing, boating, wildlife watching, and as an attractivesetting for shared use paths

• Key role in environmental infrastructure planning fornew and existing development

• The rivers and estuaries provide for dramatic views thatshould be exploited through positive proposals forsequences of views and landmarks

• Access to the rivers and their tributaries provide thepotential for creating a greater sense of well-being

• Major economic benefits of the Thames Estuary: as afreight transport corridor and hub; for the fishingindustry; and as a setting for appropriate development

Summary:

There are serious long-term challenges posed by flood riskand the effects of climate change within the Strategy Area.It is essential that flood risk from high tides, and fluvialrun-off are addressed through Flood Risk ManagementStrategies in a co-ordinated way. Strategic Flood RiskAssessments must be completed for each river and itscatchment as soon as possible to ensure that improvementto existing infrastructure and the creation of newinfrastructure address all the Strategic Themes of thisStrategy, and long term opportunities are not lost. Retro-fitting for flood risk management is always much moreexpensive. All new developments should exploreopportunities for zero surface water run-off, green roofs,porous paving and sustainable drainage systems.

Figure 7 Hydrology

Nor

th

0 1 2 3 4 5km

2.0 The Resource

River ThamesEstuaryMardyke

Crouch Catchment

HolehavenCreek

BenfleetCreek

RoachCatchment


Topography

Figure 8 Topography illustrates the influence of changes inelevation from the Thames Estuary and its marshes to theThames Terraces.

The Resource:

• The Strategy Area is relatively flat adjacent to thewestern section of the estuary, rising inland on theThames Terraces; highest points are the Langdon andBenfleet Hills; and

• Topographical features include rock outcrops aroundTilbury, escarpments from Langdon Hills to Hadleigh,and cliffs along coastline at Southend.


• Topography within the Strategy Area influences localand regional distinctiveness - land use, biodiversity,landscape character, townscape

• High points provide opportunities for landmarks andsequences of spectacular views over South Essex andthe Thames Estuary to Kent and London

• Flat, open areas provide opportunities for landmarkingand way-finding

Figure 8 Topography

Nor

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0 1 2 3 4 5km

The Strategy Area

Cliffs at Southend provide opportunities for views of outer reaches ofThames Estuary

2.0 The Resource


2.0 The Resource

• A balance needs to be struck between protectingwildlife and habitats, providing areas for enjoyment bypeople

• Topography is integral to archaeology and historicalresources of the area

• There are potential links with flood risk managementproposals

• Educational and cultural benefits - for example, therole of topography in siting of fortifications andlandmarks; and

• Topography influences microclimate which in turninfluences site planning, creating shelter fordevelopment and recreation.

Summary:

The combination of urban and industrial form, and geologyand topography give rise to a sequence of views andlandmarks that characterise the Strategy Area.Opportunities to exploit this should be a key considerationwhen framing development, access and movement, andinfrastructure proposals.

Moorings at Fobbing Marshes


Biodiversity

Figure 9 maps current designations for biodiversity andwildlife sites within the Strategy Area. It should be notedthat sites and their boundaries are updated regularly.

The Resource:

• There are numerous international, European, nationaland local designations within the Strategy Area(regularly updated information can be found onwww.english-nature.org.uk)

• The majority of the nature conservation sites are valuedfor their birdlife and wetland habitats, and areconcentrated along the coast and estuaries

• Inland, there are significant pockets of ancientwoodland, heathland, flower rich grassland, freshwaterwetland and mosaic habitats

• Disused quarries and brownfield sites provide someexcellent habitats; and

• Areas which can be valuable for nature conservationbut are not protected (and are therefore not mapped)include gardens, allotments, cemeteries, schoolgrounds, roadside verges, brownfield sites, etc. WildlifeSites (formerly Sites of Important Nature Conservation)do not have statutory protection but are promoted byLocal Plans.


• Biodiversity influences local and regionaldistinctiveness - landscape, townscape and riverscapecharacter

• Educational potential - interpretation of ecology ofnatural and urban habitats

• Social and economic potential related to inclusivenessand community involvement, and to the development ofleisure, recreation and tourism

• Potential for enhancement and integration ofbiodiversity within urban areas including brownfieldsites (for further information on this and relatedprinciples refer to ‘Biodiversity by Design: A Guide forSustainable Communities’ published by the Town andCountry Planning Association)

• Recognise that trees and woodland planted inappropriate areas (i.e. not marshes) can bring highquality sustainable, economic and environmentalbenefits to the area. (Refer to ‘Regional WoodlandStrategy for the East of England’ published by the Eastof England Regional Assembly and the ForestryCommission)

• Recognise that habitats are living systems and that ourunderstanding and evaluation of them is constantlychanging. The value of brownfield sites for biodiversityand people should not be overlooked

• Potential for protection, enhancement and creation ofhabitats and wildlife in infrastructure proposals

• Living in harmony with nature - improved health andsense of well-being

• Only ancient woodland has been mapped here,however, the vision and themes of the RegionalWoodland Strategy for the East of England arecompatible with this Strategy; and

• Habitat conservation and creation is integral to thearchaeological and historical resources of the area.

Summary:

The biodiversity value of the Strategy Area is varied andgood. All opportunities for protection, enhancement andcreation should be exploited alongside proposals forregeneration and development. When combined with theneeds for access and movement, flood risk management,biomass production, etc; and as part of Strategy Area-widemosaic of habitat and corridors, liveability and quality lifewill be enhanced.

Habitat and wildlife exploration in the marshes at London RiversideConservation Park

2.0 The Resource


2.2 Land Use and Human Systems

Urban Development

Figure 10 delineates the predominantly urban and non-urban areas within the Strategy Area; the government sapproximate locations of Local Delivery Vehicles that havebeen established.

The Resource:

• Approximately half of the Strategy Area is urban• Urban land uses include residential, commercial,

industry, transport, leisure and retail• Non-urban land uses include arable and pastoral

farming, woodland, heath, marshes and mudflats,quarries and recreation; and

• The majority of the non-developed land is designatedGreenbelt, however, the quality of some areas of greenbelt used for quarrying and landfill is poor.


• The planning system will influence delivery of thisStrategy and it should be embedded within it

• Land use within the Strategy Area is likely to changeparticularly where Local Delivery Vehicles have beenestablished

• There is potential to enhance and improve accessibilityto and through developed and non-developed areas

• Security needs of particularly commercial land usesmust be considered

• Improved quality of urban, urban fringe and ruralenvironments improves local and regional perceptionsof the environment contributing to a sense of well-being

• There is increasing recognition of the contribution tobiodiversity of land use within urban areas, i.e. gardens,derelict land, allotments, cemeteries, green lanes,hedgerows, roadside verges, etc;

• The protection, enhancement and creation of new areasof biodiversity value, to improve links to and throughdeveloped and non-developed areas should be taken

• There is potential to enhance knowledge of thearchaeological, historic and cultural resources and toembed the resources in development proposals

• The opportunities to exploit non-developed areas forflood risk and water quality management should betaken

• Similarly, the potential to exploit non-developed areasfor leisure, recreation and tourism should beconsidered

• The planning of green spaces as an integral part ofresidential development is important

• The creation of new, and enhanced existing sequencesand views and landmarks should be considered; and

• The social and economic benefits of delivering theGreen Grid through the development process should berecognised.

• Woodland establishment can be an important means ofregenerating urban and industrial wasteland. It can bea cost-effective and technically successful ‘soft’ end-use for operational, vacant, derelict or poorly restored,and contaminated land.

Figure 10 Predominantly Urban/Non-urban Areas and Location of Local Delivery Vehicles

2.0 The Resource

Open landscapeNor

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Predominantly urban areas

Local Delivery Vehicles

11. Thurrock Urban Development Corporation2. Basildon Renaissance Partnership3. Renaissance Southend


Summary:

There is an opportunity for the Green Grid to link to andthrough existing developed areas and non-developed areasin a co-ordinated, strategic way. Regional and local plansshould embed the principles of this Strategy in theirframeworks and policies. The opportunity for alldevelopment and infrastructure proposals to contribute toa new and existing co-ordinated network of spaces andplaces that address all the Strategic Themes of thisStrategy should be exploited. There is a lot of open land inbetween developed areas, much of it designated GreenBelt. Some of this land is poor agricultural land, disusedquarries, landfill, brownfield, etc, and should provideopportunities for incorporation in the Green Grid networkas working landscapes .

Some urban areas have the infrastructure of roads,railways and utilities in proximity to brownfield (and somegreen field) land that provides the opportunity forappropriate extension as long as the best of the resourceis protected, the poor enhanced, and the principles ofsustainable development and this Strategy are embeddedin proposals.

Access and Movement

Figure 11 delineates the major roads, railways, bridleways,byways, footpaths, cycleways and Greenways (identifiedprior to preparation of this Strategy) within the StrategyArea.

The Resource:

• There is a relatively comprehensive network ofdesignated public footpaths, although quality ofprovision particularly in urban areas is often poor

• There is generally poor provision of bridleways andbyways

• Proposed National Cycle Routes will provide betterlinks to and through most urban areas

• Rail and road transport networks are considered to begood in a national context (despite apparent localnorth-south rail deficiencies), however, they are atcapacity

• The Thames Estuary is an important shipping corridorwith numerous commercial and industrial facilitiesalong its banks, including the cruise terminal at Tilburyand the proposed port-expansion at Shellhaven

• River based public transport is limited to the Tilbury -Gravesend Ferry; and

• Proposed national leisure routes e.g. South North SeaEuropean Regional Park (promoted by SAIL); and City toSea (promoted by Thames Estuary Partnership).


• Increase in high quality connections from ‘ddoooorrsstteepp ttooccoouunnttrryyssiiddee//eessttuuaarryy’ would encourage inclusivenessand use of the environment for informal recreationcontributing to healthy living and a sense of well-being

• Integrated transport and development would provide

benefits of improved environment including improvedwater and air quality

• Transport corridors which incorporate functionalenvironmental infrastructure would contribute toimproved water management, and increased urban andrural biodiversity

• Improved accessibility to the archaeological, historicaland cultural resource would enhance sense of placeand sense of community

• Increased access providing opportunities forexperiencing the variety of local cultural andenvironmental and educational destinations wouldencourage exploration

• A connected network of footpaths, cycleways andbridleways that is safe, attractive and well publicisedwould create a viable, alternative transport, leisure andrecreational resource

• Access and movement through the Strategy Areashould exploit the potential for a sequence of views andlandmarks

• Improved access would raise the profile of South Essexas a place to live, visit and work, thereby attractinginvestment and people

• Alternative and safe routes to work, schools, sportsfacilities, retail areas, nature reserves, parks and otherdestinations would enhance liveability

• Easy access to information about routes and integrationof various types of transport would encourage betteruse of existing and future transport links; and

• Promotion of, and links to national leisure routes wouldraise the profile of Green Grid and increase thestrategic significance of particular routes.

Summary:

Road and rail transport network is good but at capacity,there are great opportunities for embedding the principlesof this Strategy at the planning and design stages of

Marginal land close to Tilbury Power Station

2.0 The Resource


upgrading the existing, and implementing new transportinfrastructure. Transport proposals should recognise theopportunities for incorporating good design which wouldaddress all the Strategic Themes of this Strategy, includingfoot and cycle access and movement, healthy living,biodiversity, character, flood risk, urban form, views andlandmarks, and the economy.

Archaeology, historic and cultural resources

Figure 15 locates the Scheduled Ancient Monumentswithin the Strategy Area. Figure 12 locates the keydestinations within the Strategy Area. Figures 13 and 14are extracts from English Heritage’s Thames GatewayHistoric Environment Characterisation Project. The projectidentifies 140 Historic Environment Character Areas withinthe Thames Gateway and assesses the sensitivity tochange of the historical assets of the area.

The Resource:

• A wide variety of strategic urban and rural,archaeological, historic, environmental and culturaldestinations are distributed evenly throughout theStrategy Area

• There are a number of Scheduled Ancient Monumentsthroughout the Strategy Area, including Tilbury andCoalhouse Forts and Prittlewell Priory

• The marshlands present a significant historical assetwhich is highly sensitive to major physical change

• Specific woodland areas around the Langdon Hills andDaws Heath are significant historical assets which areextremely sensitive to physical change

• There are pockets of built heritage/urban areas whichare either highly or extremely sensitive to changescattered throughout South Essex with particularconcentration in and around Southend

• Some destinations have strong recreational appeal,such as the forts, country parks, nature reserves andSouthend seaside; and

• Southend is a major tourist destination.

Analysis:

• There is evidence in South Essex of human occupationstretching back over 500,000 years. The historicsettlement pattern developed around an intricate andintegrated relationship between gravel/London clayupland, grazing marsh, creeks and estuaries. The largemarshland embayment bounded to the south byCanvey/Shellhaven to the north and east byVange/Benfleet/Hadleigh/Leigh and to the west byFobbing/Corringham, to a surprising extent preservesthis relationship. The woods and marshes of SouthEssex, were a particularly valuable resource in themedieval period and ownership was divided amongst anumber of, often quite distant, manors. The footpaths,bridleways, tracks and lanes which will form the core ofthe Green Grid were created to serve this integratedpattern of settlement and economic exploitation. Increating a new physically and conceptually integrated

approach to the South Essex landscape the Green Gridwill in a sense be restoring an ancient reality

• Perhaps the most significant aspect of the historicenvironment of South Essex is the grain of thelandscape, its field boundaries, tracks and paths

• Archaeological and historical resources are integral tothe topography, habitat conservation and creationresources of the area.

• The contribution the resource makes to the celebrationof sense of place, sense of time, and sense ofcommunity should be fully recognised and exploited

• The contribution the resource makes to character ofthe Strategy Area should be recognised and exploited

• The interpretation of the historic context of South Essex- the archaeological evidence from prehistoric times,fortification of the estuary through the ages, changingsocial history, etc - should be exploited

• The broadening of knowledge and perceptions of theresource will improve the image of South Essexattracting people and businesses; and

• The contribution of the resource to local character anddistinctiveness should be recognised and exploited.

2.0 The Resource

Tilbury Fort


Figure 12 Destinations

65

4546

60

6663

6261

57

5958

54

53

55

52

47

4948

4140

4244

4338

39

35

33

3430

31 32

2928

27

2625

24

23

22

2119

20

181716

14

10

11

12

5

3

2

1

36

6

7

89

37

5150

56

69

64

67

68

4

70

71

13

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Open Landscape

Destinations associated with open spaces

1 Rainham Marshes/Proposed LondonRiverside Conservation Park

2 Purfleet Garrison3 Kennington Park4 Belhus Woods Country Park5 Oak Wood6 Cely Woods7 Belhus Chase8 Mardyke Woods9 Davy Down Riverside Park10 West Thurrock Marshes11 St. Clements Church12 Grays Chalk Quarry13 Chafford Gorges14 The Wharf15 Mardyke Valley16 Worlds End Pub17 Tilbury Fort18 Tilbury Arts Centre19 Orsett Village20 West Tilbury Village21 Linford Wood22 East Tilbury23 Coal House Fort24 Mucking Marshes25 Stanford Marshes26 Grove House Wood27 Horndon on the Hill28 Dunton Plotlands, Langdon Nature

Reserve and Langdon Visitor Centre29 Langdon Hills Country Park30 One Tree Hill31 Laindon Common32 Gloucester Park33 Vange Hill34 Wat Tyler Park

35 Vange Marshes36 Fobbing Village37 Wickford Country Park38 Canvey Sea Front39 Canvey Lake40 Hadleigh Castle Country Park41 Hadleigh Castle42 Hadleigh Marsh43 Canvey Heights44 Two Tree Island45 Rayleigh Windmill 46 Rayleigh Castle47 Pound Wood48 Great Wood49 Belfairs Wood50 Old Leigh Village51 Leigh Marshes52 Leigh Beach53 Gusted Hall54 Plumbrow Mount55 Prittlewell Priory56 Priory Park57 Southend Pier58 Doggetts Pond59 Doggetts Farm60 Butlers Gate61 Southchurch Park62 Southchurch Hall63 Shoebury Beach64 Gunners Park65 Shoebury Garrison66 Shoebury East Beach67 Essex Coast NME’s68 The Beagle69 Southend Coastal Attractions70 Thames Chase Forest Centre71 Thorndon Country Park

The Strategy Area

Strategic River Corridors and Destinations: RiverThames, River Crouch and River Roach and theirtributaries

Designated Private and Public Open Space

2.0 The Resource


2.0 The Resource

Figure 13 Built Heritage Urban Sensitivity - Initial Output (Extract from Thames Gateway Historic Environment Characterisation Project, 2004, courtesy of English Heritage)

Figure 14 Historic Landscape Sensitivity - Initial Output (Extract from Thames Gateway Historic Environment Characterisation Project, 2004, courtesy of English Heritage)


2.0 The Resource

Summary:

There is a rich and varied heritage and cultural resourcewithin the Strategy Area. There is an opportunity to createa network of routes which explore the variety of thehistoric environment which characterises thedistinctiveness of the Strategy Area, leading to strategicdestinations of particular significance. There is anopportunity to promote enhanced, management andconservation of the historic environment, and to promoteevents based around the resource providing a focus forcommunity life from the local to the regional, national andinternational scale. This in turn will engender pride as wellas opportunities for education, skills and learning, and thebasis for marketing the tourism, leisure and recreationalpotential of South Essex.

Coalhouse Fort


2.0 The Resource

Landscape Character

Figure 16 defines the National Landscape Characterdesignations that encompass the Strategy Area. Figure 17defines landscape character designations prepared inoutline to inform this Strategy. More detailed informationon Landscape Character is available in Appendix 5.

The Resource:

• There are two national character areas within theStrategy Area: the Greater Thames Estuary (adjacent tothe River Thames), and the Northern Thames Basin(inland)

• There are fourteen Local Landscape Character Areas,including marshes, creeks, farmland, terraces, hillsand towns; and

• There are many degraded rural fringe areas.


• The wild, remote and distinctive character of theestuary has been shaped over thousands of years andhas been eroded, particularly through 20th centuryurban and industrial development. The juxtaposition ofwild marshes, estuary and industry has appeal andsome drama

• 20th century urban development has been a dominantinfluence on townscape character with the mainexception of Southend which was developed as aseaside resort during Victorian times

• Many of the rural, estuary and river landscapes havereal quality and should be protected, enhanced,promoted and marketed

• Post-war urban development is generally poor, as isthe quality of the urban fringe, both of whichemphasise the perception that South Essex has poorcharacter and environmental quality

• The local and regional landscapes of South Essex aredistinctive and adaptable providing a variety of scalesfor settings for development

• Landscape character expresses sense of place, senseof time, and enhances sense of community, therefore,its quality is central to promoting a positive image ofSouth Essex for investors, locals and visitors alike; and

• The distinctive, unconventional beauty of large scaleelements such as the industrial structures, and passingtanker ships set in the vast ‘skyscapes’ of sea andmarshes should be fully recognised, enhanced andpromoted

• Landscape elements and features which helpcharacterise the landscape of South Essex such ashedgerow networks, ditches, saltmarsh and mudflats,grazing marsh, broadleaf woodlands should beenhanced and managed appropriately. This could bedone through ‘planning gain’ e.g. mitigation ofdevelopment/transport proposals, and throughcountryside projects and agri-environmental schemes.

Summary:

An understanding of landscape character should underpinall development proposals. The opportunity should betaken to extend the outline assessments in this Strategyfor all significant proposals.

The juxtaposition of industrial and rural/urban fringe landscapes can bedramatic, however, good quality and easy access must be provided


Figure 16 National Landscape Character

Nor

th

0 1 2 3 4 5km

2.0 The Resource


Figure 17 Sub-Regional Landscape Character Areas

Nor

th

0 1 2 3 4 5km

2.0 The Resource


Designated Public Open Space

Figure 18 delineates designated open space within andadjacent to the Strategy Area, including the Green Belt,Thames Chase Community Forest, Regional, Metropolitan,District, Local and Small Local Parks based on the sizecriteria of the London Plan. It also delineates areas ofprivate open space. Figure 19 delineates the catchmentareas for Regional, Metropolitan and District Parks basedon the London Plan criteria - areas not covered by thecatchment areas define deficient areas. Local parks arenot included in the catchment analysis because, althoughthey are crucial components of the Green Grid, they arebest and more accurately analysed at the Local Authorityscale as part of their PPG17: Open Space Sports andRecreation compliant strategies.

The Resource:

• Metropolitan Green Belt covers the majority of openland within the Strategy Area

• There are a number of public parks at a variety ofscales within the Strategy Area - the smaller the size ofpark, the greater the frequency of occurrence

• Public Open Space is not distributed evenly throughoutthe Strategy Area

• The eastern half of the Strategy Area has aconcentration of private open space; and

• The majority of the Strategy Area (with the notableexceptions of Tilbury and East Tilbury, and the easternhalf of Southend) is within the catchment areas ofRegional, Metropolitan or District Parks.

Analysis:

• The value of a park or open space increasesexponentially when easily accessible and connected to alarger system, consequently, connecting the existingresource into a seamless network is crucial

• The contribution to and celebration of sense of place,sense of time, and sense of community should berecognised and exploited throughout the open spacenetwork

• Improvement in environmental quality, planning anddesign of existing designated open spaces to encourageuse and ensure that they meet their full potentialshould be promoted

• The value of the resource for improving biodiversity inurban, urban fringe and rural areas through habitatcreation and landscape management should berecognised and exploited

• The historic and cultural value of the resource shouldbe recognised and exploited

• The potential contribution to flood risk managementand water quality should be recognised and exploited

• The educational benefits of parks and open spaces as asetting for learning, improving skills, etc. should berecognised and exploited

• Better designed and managed designated open spacesto reduce anti-social activities, decrease personal andproperty safety issues

• The Thames Chase Partnership has doubled theamount of greenspace within its boundaries from 9% to17% showing that greenspace creation is viable inThames Gateway

• The economic benefits of the resource through theperception and reality of the quality of the environmentshould be exploited;

• South Essex lies within the context of the SouthernNorth Sea Regional Park promoted by SAIL, atransnational partnership of coastal and marineauthorities from four member states bordering thesouthern north sea; and

• The creation of new strategic parks in deficient andnew development areas should be ensured.

Summary:

There is a reasonably good distribution of public openspace within the Strategy Area, however, an assessment ofthe quality of the resource is not an objective of thisStrategy. Deficiencies in quantity, quality and distributionshould be assessed through each local authority’s PPG17compliant parks and green space strategy. There is anopportunity to provide a co-ordinated network of existingand new designated parks and open spaces through thisStrategy.

The quality of existing parks and open spaces should be addressed

2.0 The Resource


2.3 Climate Change

The Thames Gateway faces significant challenges due tothe combined effects of climate change and the relativerise of sea levels. Through the effects of climate change, itis predicted that there will be longer, drier, hottersummers and shorter, warmer, wetter winters withincreased incidences of high intensity storms which willresult in high volumes of storm-water runoff, particularlyin urban areas.

The East of England Sustainable Development Round Tablehas produced a series of information and guidancedocuments under the general head ‘Living with ClimateChange in the East of England’ and recognises the ThamesGateway and Fringes as one of the sub-regions mostvulnerable to sea level rise, increased flood risk, and waterresources issues. These documents advocate adaptationresponses to mitigate many potential climate changeimpacts.

The Environment Agency is preparing the Thames Estuary2100 Strategy, which will address flood risk managementin relation to the Thames through this century. Preliminaryresults predict that average high tide levels for the Thamesand its tributaries will rise between 0.6 and 1.2 metresover the next 50-100 years. This will compound increasedurban run-off along the tributaries of the River Thames.This will also be the case with the Roach and Crouchrivers. It is likely that estuary defences will need to beraised to maintain flood protection. In some areas,managed realignment may be the most cost effectiveoption.

Fluvial and tidal flood risk management, water supply,water use, sewage treatment and water quality based uponprinciples of sustainability can all be addressed throughco-ordinated planning and design of a multi-functionalenvironmental infrastructure. Strategic Flood RiskAssessments provide the essential baseline for co-ordinated planning and design. The principles ofsustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) aim toameliorate increased flood risk.

Climate change will result in higher temperatures leadingto lower air quality and the resultant detrimental affects onrespiratory conditions. Increasing temperatures can beameliorated through extensive and appropriate planting,which will also reduce carbon and other pollutant levels,and enhance air quality. Urban, urban fringe and ruralforestry can help ameliorate the negative impacts ofclimate change; the ‘Regional Woodland Strategy for theEast of England’ provides more details.

Summary:

• Climate change will have a variety of potentially seriouseffects on the Thames Estuary

• High tide levels will rise; fluvial run-off will increase involume and intensity

• Co-ordinated and creative solutions will be required• Heat island and air quality effects of climate change

will need to be addressed• Trees and woodland, particularly in urban areas, can

ameliorate some impacts of climate change; and• South Essex Green Grid provides a significant

opportunity to respond to and mitigate the potentialimpacts of climate change.

Climate Change will require new areas to cope with increased urbanstorm-water run-off

2.0 The Resource


2.0 The Resource



3.0 Strategic OpportunitiesThe interconnection and implications of the SSttrraatteeggiiccTThheemmeess and the documentation and analysis of theresource within the SSttrraatteeggyy AArreeaa are drawn together inthe SSttrraatteeggiicc OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess plan (Figure 20), and describedbelow. Together, the text and illustrations set out thepotential for the Green Grid as a connected system ofspaces, places and links from inner urban areas tocountryside, marsh and estuary, and that address all theStrategic Themes.

The SSttrraatteeggiicc OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess plan identifies the following:

• AArreeaass ooff pprriivvaattee,, ppuubblliicc aanndd ddeessiiggnnaatteedd ppuubblliicc ooppeennssppaaccee including urban and country parks

• TThhee ssttrraatteeggiicc rriivveerr ccoorrrriiddoorrss of the Thames, Crouch andRoach and their tributaries

• TThhee ssttrraatteeggiicc RRooaaddss aanndd RRaaiillwwaayyss and stations togethercurrently present significant barriers to walking andcycling. However, they are at capacity, and will requireupgrading to support the proposed growth within theStrategy Area. Through this programme of upgrading,there will be significant opportunities to remove thesebarriers. These programmes will also offer significantopportunities to address the Strategic Themes of:planning - by providing opportunities for appropriatedevelopment in appropriate places; character - byenhancing the visual experience of driving or travellingby train through the Strategy Area, and by enhancingthe experience and sense of arrival at destinations;biodiversity - by improving and creating new habitats,links and connections; flood risk management andwater management - by storing storm water run-offfrom urban areas; leisure and recreation - by providingalternative transport options of foot and cycleways thatare part of both destinational and recreational routes.

The above categories comprising Strategic Roads,Railways and Stations combine with those below to providethe potential underlying ‘structure’ or ‘framework’ for theGreen Grid comprising the following categories which arealso identified on the SSttrraatteeggiicc OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess plan:

• SSttrraatteeggiicc GGrreeeenn GGrriidd CCoonnnneeccttiioonnss running to, throughand between urban areas and their hinterlands. Asnoted in the documentation and analysis of theresource, about half of the Strategy Area is private orpublic open land. Much of the open land outside urbanareas is designated green belt, some of which is ofpoor quality due to quarrying and landfill activities, etc.,but some of which is of high quality. Many urban fringeareas are of poor quality. Through this Strategy there isthe opportunity to promote the positive use of all openland guided by the Strategic Themes, ie: forimprovements and contributions to:

• aacccceessss aanndd mmoovveemmeenntt - described in more detailabove;

• bbiiooddiivveerrssiittyy - through the protection andenhancement of existing areas of value, and thecreation of new habitats and links;

• aarrcchhaaeeoollooggyy hhiissttoorryy aanndd ccuullttuurree - through theprotection and enhancement of the existingresource and its incorporation into a network ofdestinations that will contribute to sense of placeand sense of community;

• eedduuccaattiioonn,, sskkiillllss aanndd lleeaarrnniinngg - by embedding theinterpretation of the resource in educational,tourism and leisure programmes;

• fflloooodd rriisskk mmaannaaggeemmeenntt aanndd wwaatteerr qquuaalliittyy - bycreating areas to store and cleanse surface waterrun-off and protect from tidal inundations;

• ttoouurriissmm,, lleeiissuurree aanndd rreecceeaattiioonn - by developing,marketing and promoting the existing and newresources;

• uurrbbaann ffoorrmm - by enhancing the resource andsettings of existing settlements, and creatingsettings for new settlements and expansions;

• vviieewwss aanndd llaannddmmaarrkkss - discussed below; • iinnffrraassttrruuccttuurree - by ensuring that all road, rail and

other public transport and utility infrastructureprojects deliver the principles of this Strategy;

• ppoossiittiivvee pphhyyssiiccaall aanndd mmeennttaall hheeaalltthh - throughprotecting and enhancing the existing resource, andcreating new resources that are clean, green, safeand attractive; and the

• ssoocciiaall ffaabbrriicc aanndd eeccoonnoommyy - great places to liveattract great people;

• A sequence of existing and new SSttrraatteeggiicc LLaannddmmaarrkkss,,VViieewwss aanndd VViieewwppooiinnttss throughout the Strategy Areawhich together have the potential to characterise theStrategy Area, and to enhance understanding andperceptions of the Area. They also provide theopportunity for existing and future communities toachieve a greater sense of place and space. Theyinclude Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, Grays, Tilbury Docksand Coalhouse Fort, the oil refineries at Shellhaven,Basildon, One Tree Hill, Hadleigh Castle, Canvey Island,South Benfleet, Admiralty Boom, and Southend Pier;Existing strategic landmark - Queen Elizabeth II Bridge



• A network of existing and new SSttrraatteeggiicc DDeessttiinnaattiioonnss,including Tilbury and Coalhouse Forts, existing andpotential Country Parks, and Southend. Thearchaeological, historic and cultural resource providesthe basis and opportunity for further enhancement andprovision of destinations - these will promote sense ofplace and, therefore, sense of community. The potentialto link these strategic destinations to local destinationssuch as schools, libraries, health centres, etc. - by footand cycle - as part of a connected resource willenhance their accessibility, and enable their marketing,promotion and incorporation into educational, tourism,leisure and recreational programmes.

The existing footpaths, bridleways, tracks and lanes whichwill form the core of the Green Grid were created to servean integrated pattern of settlement and economicexploitation of all parts of South Essex which operated forthousands of years. Development in the last hundred yearsor so has fractured this ancient pattern, however, increating a new physically and conceptually integratedapproach to the South Essex landscape the Green Grid willin a sense be restoring an ancient reality for 21st centuryliving.

The NNaattiioonnaall LLaannddssccaappee CChhaarraacctteerr ppllaann (Figure 16), andthe SSuubb--RReeggiioonnaall LLaannddssccaappee CChhaarraacctteerr AArreeaass plan (Figure17) were analysed in relation to the Strategic Themes andObjectives for the Green Grid. This analysis led to theidentification of four general landscape categoriesdescribed below, along with the opportunities they presentfor incorporation in the Green Grid. Overall, there is anopportunity to achieve a cohesive yet diverse landscape,townscape and riverscape character within the StrategyArea that will complement the opportunity for developingand promoting specific Strategic Destinations:

• AArreeaass ttoo bbee pprrootteecctteedd - which comprise predominantlyundeveloped areas, recognised as outstanding in termsof open space, connectivity to urban areas, landscapecharacter, biodiversity and/or other resource

• AArreeaass pprroovviiddiinngg tthhee ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ffoorr eennhhaanncceemmeenntt aannddiinnccoorrppoorraattiioonn iinn tthhee GGrreeeenn GGrriidd - which comprisepredominantly undeveloped land with some open spaceprovision, reduced connectivity and the potential forincorporation in the Green Grid through enhancementsbased on Strategic Themes

• AArreeaass pprroovviiddiinngg tthhee ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ffoorr tthhee ccrreeaattiioonn ooff nneewwssttrraatteeggiicc ooppeenn ssppaaccee ffoorr iinnccoorrppoorraattiioonn iinn tthhee GGrreeeennGGrriidd - which comprise areas with the potential torelieve areas deficient in open space provision, and withgood resource potential for incorporation in the GreenGrid; and

• AArreeaass wwiitthh tthhee ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ffoorr pprrootteeccttiioonn,, eennhhaanncceemmeennttoorr iimmpprroovveemmeenntt ttoo eexxiissttiinngg ddeessiiggnnaatteedd ooppeenn ssppaaccee,, aannddffoorr ccrreeaattiioonn ooff nneeww lliinnkkss aanndd ooppeenn ssppaacceess ffoorriinnccoorrppoorraattiioonn iinn tthhee GGrreeeenn GGrriidd - which comprisepredominantly developed land with a disjointedresource of open spaces and local areas of under-provision of designated open space.

This documentation and analysis of the resource within theStrategy Area in relation to the Strategic Themes, providesthe conceptual and spatial opportunities and rationale forthe Strategy. The following section develops thisconceptual and spatial understanding and rationale into anoverall VViissiioonn and SSttrraatteeggiicc FFrraammeewwoorrkk for the Green Grid,supported by SSttrraatteeggiicc GGuuiiddeelliinneess, and more detailedSSttrraatteeggiicc AArreeaa FFrraammeewwoorrkkss for TThhuurrrroocckk;; BBaassiillddoonn aannddCCaassttllee PPooiinntt; and SSoouutthheenndd aanndd RRoocchhffoorrdd.

Sea wall at Canvey Island


Figure 21 Transect: Doorstep to Countryside

4.0 Strategic Frameworks andGuidance

This section describes the VViissiioonn for the Thames GatewaySouth Essex Green Grid. This is followed by a description ofa hierarchy of spaces, places and links from DDoooorrsstteepp ttooCCoouunnttrryyssiiddee, aanndd EEssttuuaarryy and park and open spacetypologies drawn from PPPPGG 1177:: PPllaannnniinngg ffoorr OOppeenn SSppaaccee,,SSppoorrttss aanndd RReeccrreeaattiioonn.. The concept of TThhee HHaarrlleeqquuiinnLLaannddssccaappee is also proposed to ensure that the emotionaland spiritual dimension of the spaces, places and links areaddressed in any plans, proposals and policies.

The OOvveerraallll SSttrraatteeggiicc FFrraammeewwoorrkk is described andsupported by an analysis of KKeeyy IIssssuueess aanndd OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess,and a statement of VViissiioonn for each SSttrraatteeggiicc CCoorrrriiddoorr.

SSttrraatteeggiicc AArreeaa FFrraammeewwoorrkkss for Thurrock, Basildon andCastlepoint, and Southend and Rochford are thendescribed supported by a summary of the KKeeyy IIssssuueess aannddOOppppoorrttuunniittiieess and GGuuiiddaannccee for each area.

It concludes with SSttrraatteeggiicc GGuuiiddaannccee supporting theStrategy and the Frameworks. The Frameworks, Issuesand Opportunities, Visions, and Guidance are intended tobe a material consideration when plans and policies are

prepared, including the Regional Spatial Strategy throughto Community Strategies, Local Development Frameworks,and master plans and proposals for individual sites.

The Vision

A living system threading through the urban andrural landscape, connecting places that areattractive to people, wildlife and business, andproviding clean air, food, water, energy, mineralsand materials.

The VViissiioonn for the South Essex Green Grid derives from anunderstanding of the resource of South Essex and theimperative to live in a sustainable way. It is about peopleand places, quality of life, and minimal impact on theenvironment. It is about promoting investment in an‘EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaall IInnffrraassttrruuccttuurree’ that has equivalent statusalongside transport, utilities and built form infrastructure.The scale of change envisaged will require commensurateinvestment to completely transform the image and thereality of South Essex. The vision is also about limits:environmental limits to support our current way of living,and community limits to accept change. The visionarticulates a way to build community capacity for change,through promoting positive environmental change - thetwo go hand in hand.



This is a radical vision which places:

• LLaannddssccaappee at the heart of the development process,and

• EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaall pprroocceessss at the heart of sustainabledevelopment and the economy.

It is a vision which will require sustained investment andlong term commitment from national, regional and localpoliticians, communities, businesses, the voluntary sectorand institutions. It builds on the emerging synergy ofexisting initiatives including GGrreeeenniinngg tthhee GGaatteewwaayy. Thestructure of governance must match the scale of thischallenge, alongside financial and fiscal mechanisms topromote and encourage delivery, and long-termmanagement and maintenance.

Doorstep to Countryside, and Estuary: a diversehierarchy of spaces, places and links

The Green Grid is not just about green spaces. It is aboutconnecting people from their front door, via a safe, cleanand attractive street, often with domestic gardens, to theirlocal park within walking distance, and then into the widernetwork of larger parks, town and village centres, and ontocountry parks, the marshes and estuaries via the strategicnetwork. It comprises a wide variety of existing and newspace, places and links. The benefits of this increasedconnectivity and improved quality of environment are clearfrom the analyses of the various resources in South Essexdescribed in Section 2.

The following typology taken from PPPPGG 1177:: PPllaannnniinngg ffoorrooppeenn ssppaaccee,, ssppoorrtt aanndd rreeccrreeaattiioonn illustrates the broadrange of open spaces that could and should contribute tothe Green Grid:

• ppaarrkkss aanndd ggaarrddeennss - including urban parks, countryparks and formal gardens

• nnaattuurraall aanndd sseemmii--nnaattuurraall uurrbbaann ggrreeeennssppaacceess -including woodlands, urban forestry, scrub, grasslands(eg downlands, commons and meadows) wetlands,open and running water, wastelands and derelict open

Figure 22 Transect: Doorstep to Estuary



land and rock areas (eg cliffs, quarries and pits)• ggrreeeenn ccoorrrriiddoorrss - including river and canal banks,

cycleways, and rights of way• oouuttddoooorr ssppoorrttss ffaacciilliittiieess (with natural or artificial

surfaces and either publicly or privately owned) -including tennis courts, bowling greens, sports pitches,golf courses, athletics tracks, school and otherinstitutional playing fields, and other outdoor sportsareas

• aammeenniittyy ggrreeeennssppaaccee (most commonly, but notexclusively in housing areas) - including informalrecreation spaces, greenspaces in and around housing,domestic gardens and village greens

• pprroovviissiioonn ffoorr cchhiillddrreenn aanndd tteeeennaaggeerrss - including playareas, skateboard parks, outdoor basketball hoops, andother more informal areas (eg ‘hanging out’ areas,teenage shelters)

• aalllloottmmeennttss,, ccoommmmuunniittyy ggaarrddeennss,, aanndd cciittyy ((uurrbbaann)) ffaarrmmss;;• cceemmeetteerriieess aanndd cchhuurrcchhyyaarrddss• aacccceessssiibbllee ccoouunnttrryyssiiddee iinn uurrbbaann ffrriinnggee aarreeaass; and• cciivviicc ssppaacceess, including civic and market squares, and

other hard surfaced areas designed for pedestrians.

It should be noted that open space does not have to beaccessible to be of value to the Green Grid.

This typology, or variations of it, should be used by localauthorities when preparing assessments of need andaudits of existing open space and recreational facilities.Local authorities should also recognise that most areas ofopen space can perform multiple functions. They shouldtake account of the various functions of open space whenfollowing the Guidance in this Strategy. These include:

• ssttrraatteeggiicc ffuunnccttiioonnss: defining and separating urban

areas; better linking of town and country; and providingfor recreational needs over a wide area

• uurrbbaann qquuaalliittyy: helping to support regeneration andimproving quality of life for communities by providingvisually attractive green spaces close to where peoplelive

• pprroommoottiinngg hheeaalltthh aanndd wweellll--bbeeiinngg: providingopportunities to people of all ages for informalrecreation, or to relax, walk, cycle or ride within parksand open spaces or along paths, bridleways and canalbanks. Allotments may provide physical exercise andother health benefits

• hhaavveennss aanndd hhaabbiittaattss ffoorr fflloorraa aanndd ffaauunnaa: sites may alsohave potential to be corridors or stepping stones fromone habitat to another and may contribute towardsachieving objectives set out in local biodiversity actionplans

• aass aa ccoommmmuunniittyy rreessoouurrccee: a place for congregating andfor holding community events, religious festivals, fetesand travelling fairs; and

• aass aa vviissuuaall aammeenniittyy: even without public access, peopleenjoy and gain mental health benefits from having openspace near to them to provide an outlook, variety in theurban scene, or as a positive element in the landscape.

In broad terms, and to facilitate ease of understanding,FFiigguurree 2233:: HHiieerraarrcchhyy ooff SSppaacceess,, PPllaacceess aanndd LLiinnkkss definesthe concept of a hierarchy of spaces, places and links usedin the Framework plans from Doorstep to Countryside,Marsh and Estuary, and some of the key policies that thisStrategy is both influenced by and intended to influence.FFiigguurree 2211 TTrraannsseecctt ffrroomm DDoooorrsstteepp ttoo CCoouunnttrryyssiiddee andFFiigguurree 2222 TTrraannsseecctt ffrroomm DDoooorrsstteepp ttoo EEssttuuaarryy illustrategeneric scenarios for these spaces, places and links.

POLICY CONTEXT/INFLUENCE

COMMUNITY STRATEGYLocal Development Frameworks and DocumentsPPG17 Parks and Greenspace StrategyLocal Delivery Framework

STRATEGIC AREA FRAMEWORKLocal Delivery Vehicle FrameworksOther cross-borough initiatives

OVERALL STRATEGIC FRAMEWORKRegional Spatial Strategy (RPG/RSS14)Thames Gateway Development/Investment FrameworkGreening the Gateway (ODPM)Other sub-Regional StrategiesLocal Delivery Framework

DOORSTEP COUNTRYSIDE/MARSH/ESTUARY

Figure 23: Hierarchy of Spaces, Places and Links

LOCAL OPEN SPACE• Local Pocket Parks

and Gardens• Town and Village

Centres

LOCAL LINKS• Footpaths• Cyclepaths• Streets• Roads• Rights of Way

STRATEGIC AREAOPEN SPACE• Metropolitan Parks• Country Parks• District Parks

STRATEGIC LINKS• Streets• Roads• Rights of Way

STRATEGIC SPACES• Green Belt• Regional Park• Community Forest• Estuary• Marshes• Farmland

STRATEGIC CORRIDORS• Parkways• Riverways• Railways• Greenways• Footpaths• Cyclepaths

4.0 Strategic Frameworksand Guidance


4.1 The Harlequin Landscape

In addition to establishing a formal hierarchy of spaces,places and links, considering their physical extent, functionand connectivity, it is also essential to consider the moreemotional aspects, potential meanings and the spiritualdimension. Tom Turner in his book TThhee CCiittyy aass LLaannddssccaappeeput forward the powerful and appealing idea of TThheeHHaarrlleeqquuiinn LLaannddssccaappee. The Harlequin Landscape iscomposed of colours representing the complexity anddiversity of emotional and spiritual needs. Figure 24provides some examples of the Harlequin Landscape.

All plans, proposals and policies contributing to the SouthEssex Green Grid should address these complexitiesduring preparation. Additional considerations, Turner says,are: age, culture, ownership, religion, art, politics,ethnicity, urban functions and leisure activities.

4.2 Sense of Place and Sense of Belonging

By making places better to live in, work in and to visit,culture forms a key part of the quality of life and the pridewhich communities (residents and local agencies alike)take in their environment.

• Culture is a dynamic component in much regenerationactivity and in environmental improvement: it needs tobe embedded in the policy, planning and designprocesses from the earliest stages

• Public open spaces - part of required facility provision -offer great opportunities for locally distinctive design,and for locating commissioned pieces of art and design

• Cultural resources (e.g. historic buildings) - offeropportunities for helping create distinctiveneighbourhoods and local pride, and also can act asplaces where the work of artists, heritage specialistsand others can be promoted within the community.

Red space: exciting (urban squares, festivals,

fairs)

Blue space: cool, serene, water everywhere,

sensuality (lakes, ponds, streams, rivers,

marshes, wetlands)

Yellow space: stimulating curiosity, an

abundance of things to hear, smell and touch

(meadows, commons, fields)

Orange space: movement, laughter and fun

(shopping streets, sports fields, places to watch

and be watched)

Purple space: mysterious, powerful and scarce -calm but with drama lurking in the shadows.(Gorges, pits and narrow paths)

Brown space: wholesome and satisfying. (Earth,

rocks, soil, farming, allotments)

Grey space: solemn and about the transience of

life. (memorials, cemeteries, crematoria,

woodland burial sites)

White space: magnificent, urban, pompous,

designedGreen space: relaxing in every way

Figure 24 The Harlequin Landscape



4.3 Overall Strategic Framework

The OOvveerraallll SSttrraatteeggiicc FFrraammeewwoorrkk is delineated in Figure25. It applies to the whole of the Strategy Area providingthe context for sub-regional interventions that can make asignificant contribution to the Strategic Themes and moregenerally:

• the quality of the environment• the experience, image and visual quality of the

landscape, townscapes and riverscapes which in turnencourage social inclusion and social regeneration

• connectivity of spaces and places, and to and throughurban areas, the greenbelt, the countryside, themarshes, the estuary and other destinations

• the creation of new multi-functional spaces and placesfor biodiversity, energy, biomass, food forestryproduction, etc.,

• environmental processes such as flood-risk and watermanagement, biodiversity, air quality; and

• provide the landscape/townscape context forappropriate urban development.

The Overall Strategic Framework delineates four SSttrraatteeggiiccCCoorrrriiddoorr types which will be made up of the PPG17typologies outlined within Section 3:

• PPaarrkkwwaayyss aanndd uurrbbaann ggrreeeenn rrooaaddwwaayyss - major highwaysthat will need to be upgraded and provide theopportunity for a design-led, multi-functional approachrather than a purely engineering one

• RRiivveerrwwaayyss - as multi-functional corridors andsequences of spaces and places

• RRaaiillwwaayyss - as multi-functional corridors, a window onthe landscape, and with stations recognised asgateways to the Green Grid; and

• GGrreeeennwwaayyss - national, regional and sub-regionalfootpaths/cyclepaths.

The Overall Strategic Framework also identifies thefollowing SSttrraatteeggiicc NNooddeess:

• SSttrraatteeggiicc DDeessttiinnaattiioonnss• SSttrraatteeggiicc PPaarrkkss - existing and proposed• SSttrraatteeggiicc LLaannddmmaarrkkss - existing and proposed• SSttrraatteeggiicc VViieewwss aanndd VViieewwppooiinnttss• SSttrraatteeggiicc BBrriiddggiinngg PPooiinnttss

The following is a summary of the KKeeyy IIssssuueess aannddOOppppoorrttuunniittiieess for each ssttrraatteeggiicc ccoorrrriiddoorr type followed by aVViissiioonn for each.

Parkways and Urban Green Roadways

The resource documentation and analysis sectionhighlighted that many main roads are significant barriersto access and movement by foot and cycle, creating a needfor bridges in strategic locations.

These are the significant roads identified by the London toSouthend Movement Study (LOTS, January 2004). Theroads have been further divided into two types: PPaarrkkwwaayyssand UUrrbbaann GGrreeeenn RRooaaddwwaayyss.

Parkways

These include the A13, A130, A127, A1014, M25 and theA1089.

Key issues and opportunities:

• inter-urban roads, predominantlydual or more carriageways withpotential for radical change due toidentified need for increased roadcapacity

• generally visually bland andunresponsive to surroundinglandscape and/or townscapecharacter

• predominantly cater for motorvehicles only and do not promoterecreational and destinationalcycling and walking

• negative health issues such as poorair quality, accidents, increasedstress

• create physical barriers betweenspaces, places and communitieswith few crossing points

• minimal land take which leads toobtrusive landforms and plantingschemes

• do not provide good visualexperience of movement through thelandscape, based on views andlandmarks, or sense of arrival at towns or other places

• do not exploit the full potential for biodiversity; and• traditional drainage designs which culvert surface

water run off.

PPaarrkkwwaayyss VViissiioonn

TToo rreeaalliissee tthhee ffuullll ppootteennttiiaall ooff wwiiddeenneedd,, iimmpprroovveedd ccaappaacciittyyrrooaaddss tthhrroouugghh ccoonnssiiddeerraattiioonn ooff iinnccrreeaasseedd llaanndd ttaakkee ttooccrreeaattee aa mmoorree ssuussttaaiinnaabbllee ssttrraatteeggiiccaallllyy ssiiggnniiffiiccaanntt ggrreeeennccoorrrriiddoorr wwhhiicchh wwiillll::

• link into other strategic corridors• create compelling visual experience of movement

through the landscape and sense of arrival at townsthrough the design of sequences of views andlandmarks

• incorporate segregated cyclepaths• create attractive bridging/crossing points in

strategically important locations• reflect local diversity in planting and built features e.g.

bridges, retaining structures, etc.• create landmarks to help to give a sense of place e.g.

bridges, artworks, framing views• maximise habitat creation opportunities e.g. woodland,

hedgerows, meadows, etc; and• integrate surface water run-off considerations with

opportunities to create wetlands and waterbodies aspart of a Sustainable Drainage Systems.

Parkway l

ink



Urban Green Roadways

These include: Basildon - A176, A132Southend - A13, A127, A1159Castlepoint - A130, A129


• major roads in predominantly urbanor suburban areas

• poor visual quality typified byuncoordinated paving materials andclutter of signs and street furniture

• poor provision for cyclists andpedestrians

• create physical barriers withincommunities with inconvenient andpoorly designed at-grade crossings;and

• Road environment dominates localurban character.

UUrrbbaann GGrreeeenn RRooaaddwwaayyss VViissiioonn

TToo aappppllyy aa ccoo--oorrddiinnaatteedd aapppprrooaacchh ttoo eennvviirroonnmmeennttaalliimmpprroovveemmeennttss bbyy eessttaabblliisshhiinngg ddeessiiggnn ccooddeess ffoorr eeaacchhUUrrbbaann GGrreeeenn RRooaadd wwhhiicchh wwiillll rreessuulltt iinn cclleeaann,, ssaaffee aannddaattttrraaccttiivvee ppuubblliicc rreeaallmm.. UUrrbbaann GGrreeeenn RRooaaddss wwiillll::

• Create clean, safe and attractive routes that improvethe visual experience for pedestrians, cyclists andmotorists

• link into other strategic corridors• incorporate cyclepaths and good quality, wide

pavements with good signage, street furniture andminimal clutter

• create streetscapes which respond to local materialsand character

• enhance wayfinding and local urban character byincorporation of appropriate artworks

• incorporate street trees and/simple planting whereappropriate and possible

• retain distinctive characteristics e.g. shrubby verges inSouthend; and

• improve crossings for pedestrians.

Railways

There are two mainline railways through the Strategy Area- C2C and First Great Eastern line (FGEL). They areimportant contributors to sustainable transport and toquality of life. The stations are gateways to communities,commuters use them every day, visitors judge towns by thequality of their stations, they should contribute to thequality of experience in moving through the Strategy Area,and on arrival at destinations. They should be consideredthe ‘front door’ to their communities.

Issues and opportunities

• inter-urban rail corridors withidentified potential for upgrading ofcapacity of urban/suburban stations

• diverse visual experience whilsttravelling by rail contrasts with thegenerally bland visual quality of thestations

• form physical barriers betweencommunities with few crossingpoints

• generally poor connectivity betweenstations and bus, footpaths,greenspace and the cyclewaynetwork

• well established habitat corridors ofhigh ecological value; and

• personal and property safety issuesboth on trains and at stations

RRaaiillwwaayyss VViissiioonn

TToo pprroommoottee rraaiill ccoorrrriiddoorrss aass tthhee ‘wwiinnddooww’ oonn SSoouutthh EEsssseexx,,aanndd tthhee ssttaattiioonnss aass ‘ggaatteewwaayyss’ ttoo ccoommmmuunniittiieess aanndd tthheeGGrreeeenn GGrriidd wwhhiicchh::

• link into other strategic corridors• maintain and enhance biodiversity and act as ecological

corridors• create clean, safe and attractive ‘gateways’ at stations,

with coordinated street furniture, signage, artworks andplanting that are responsive to local character

• enhance wayfinding by creating information hubs atstations

• create improved links to stations by bus, cycle andfootpaths; and

• create attractive and accessible crossing points instrategically important locations.

Urban g

reen ro

adway

Railway c

orrid

or



Riverways

There are three river catchments within the Strategy Area:the Thames, the Crouch and the Roach. The river Thamesand its estuary is the dominant feature of the StrategyArea; and a key influence on its physical, economic andsocial development. The following summaries of key Issuesand Opportunities and vision statements are based on thethree catchments. The numbers in brackets correspond tothose on the Framework Plans.

TThhaammeess ccaattcchhmmeenntt

Comprising: (1) Mardyke Valley, (2) Holehaven Creek, (3)East Haven Creek, (4) Benfleet Creek, and (5) ThamesEstuary.


• no Strategic Flood Risk Assessmentsor river development frameworksaddressing multi-functional role ofthe rivers for flood risk management,biodiversity, access, leisurerecreation, etc.

• tributaries flow throughpredominantly rural/urban fringeareas and often associated withestuarine marshland

• associated flood barrier features -gates, walls, dykes

• Thames Estuary is the dominantinfluence on the land use andlandscape character in South Essex

• health and leisure benefits of anurban river frontage are recognisedat Southend but connections with theestuary elsewhere are generally poor

• physical and visual connectionsbetween urban areas and theThames Estuary and its tributarieshave been severed by industry,transport infrastructure and/or flooddefences

• complex land use patterns have beeninfluenced by the Estuary over thousands of years

• military defences have been located within the ThamesEstuary throughout the ages leaving their mark inplaces such as Coalhouse and Tilbury Forts; and

• Estuarine habitats including marshland and foreshoreare of high ecological value.

TThhaammeess CCaattcchhmmeenntt VViissiioonn

TToo rreessttoorree,, eennhhaannccee aanndd pprroommoottee tthhee rriivveerrss aass mmuullttii--ffuunnccttiioonnaall ssyysstteemmss bbaasseedd oonn SSttrraatteeggiicc FFlloooodd RRiisskkAAsssseessssmmeennttss tthhaatt eennhhaannccee tthhee eexxiissttiinngg aattttrriibbuutteess ooff tthheerriivveerrss aanndd tthhee TThhaammeess EEssttuuaarryy,, aanndd aarree mmaannaaggeedd ffoorraacccceessss,, wwiillddlliiffee aanndd eedduuccaattiioonn bbyy::

• preparing a development framework for each riverbased on flood risk and water management,sustainable drainage systems and multi-functional use

• promotion for leisure and tourism including ferryservices

• sensitively designed improvement of connectivity fromurban areas to and through the ecologically diversemarshland and foreshore habitats

• enhancing the educational, skills and learningopportunites of the estuary and the marshes; and

• enhancement of destinations through the creation ofparks and visitor/interpretation centres which promotethe national and local archaeological, historical andcultural value of the estuary in:

• military defence• industry and commerce• leisure and tourism; and• ecology and natural processes by:

• establishing physical and visual connectionsbetween urban communities and the riverside

• creating continuous riverside journey; and• promoting the land uses close to the river which

maximise access.

CCrroouucchh ccaattcchhmmeennttComprising: (6) Crouch River, (7) CraysHill Brook and (8) Nevendon Brook; andRRooaacchh ccaattcchhmmeenntt Comprising: (9) Prittlebrook, (11)Eastwood, and (10) Rayleigh.


• no Strategic Flood Risk Assessmentsor river development frameworksaddressing multi-functional role ofthe rivers for flood risk management,biodiversity, access, leisurerecreation, etc.

• Some ancient field systems survive• Basildon and Southend urban and

urban fringe areas see the upperreaches of the tributaries of theCrouch and Roach which enter theNorth Sea around the marshy Essexcoast at Maplin Sands and Foulnessbut have little connection with them,and could form important strategiclinks; and

• many urban sections culverted orcanalised.

CCrroouucchh aanndd RRooaacchh CCaattcchhmmeenntt VViissiioonn

TToo rreessttoorree,, eennhhaannccee aanndd pprroommoottee tthhee RRooaacchh aanndd CCrroouucchhaass mmuullttii--ffuunnccttiioonnaall rriivveerrss aanndd ttrriibbuuttaarriieess bbaasseedd oonnSSttrraatteeggiicc FFlloooodd RRiisskk AAsssseessssmmeennttss mmaannaaggeedd ffoorr hhuummaannaacccceessss aanndd wwiillddlliiffee bbyy::

• preparing development framework plans for each riverbased on flood risk and water management,sustainable drainage systems and multi-functional use

• linking into other strategic corridors and connections toand through urban areas

Riverw

ay corr

idor

Estuary



• creating a connected footpath and cyclepath system;and

• enhancing the visual qualities and the biodiversity byde-culverting and recreating soft, vegetated edgeswhere appropriate.

Greenways

The Greenways are national, regional and sub-regionalfootpaths, cyclepaths and bridlepaths that connect to andthrough towns and the rest of the Strategy Area, and wherethey are not directly associated with parkways, railwaysand riverways. In addition to their role as leisure andrecreational routes they will also provide alternativetransport options.


• the strategic footpath, cyclepath andbridleway system connecting doorstepto local park/urban openspace/countryside/marsh/estuary isdisjointed - there is no confidence thatany route is complete, safe andattractive throughout

• sections of the strategic footpath,cyclepath and bridleway system areoften poorly designed, and not safe,clean, attractive, and accessible; and

• green open spaces and parksconnected by the strategic footpath,cyclepath and bridleway system areoften poorly maintained, with limitedfacilities, and poor security.

GGrreeeennwwaayyss VViissiioonn

TToo ccrreeaattee aa ccoonnttiinnuuoouuss nneettwwoorrkk ooff ssaaffee,, cclleeaann,, aattttrraaccttiivvee,,wweellll ssiiggnn--ppoosstteedd,, wweellll pprroommootteedd aanndd aacccceessssiibbllee ffoooottppaatthhss,,ccyycclleeppaatthhss aanndd bbrriiddlleewwaayyss tthhaatt ccoonnnneecctt aattttrraaccttiivvee,,ccuullttuurraallllyy aanndd vviissuuaallllyy ddiivveerrssee ttoowwnnss,, vviillllaaggeess,, ppaarrkkss aannddooppeenn ssppaacceess bbyy::

• preparing and promoting a Strategic Greenway Planwith design codes as a key element of the Green GridStrategy.

Greenway

Shared use path connecting Coalhouse Fort with Tilbury Fort

Potential for the sensitive design of a bridge at London RiversideConservation Park (source: Thames Path City to Sea: ThamesEstuary Partnership)



4.4 Strategic Area Frameworks

To facilitate more detailed framework descriptions, theStrategy Area is divided into three sectors based onlandscape character and borough boundaries, they are:TThhuurrrroocckk;; BBaassiillddoonn aanndd CCaassttllee PPooiinntt;; and SSoouutthheenndd aannddRRoocchhffoorrdd.

In addition to the ssttrraatteeggiicc ccoorrrriiddoorrss and ssttrraatteeggiicc nnooddeessthe Strategic Area Frameworks also identify:

• existing Public Rights of Way; and • proposed links of strategic significance.

As with the Overall Strategic Framework the following textsummarises the KKeeyy IIssssuueess aanndd OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess for eacharea, followed by GGuuiiddaannccee on how to achieve the vision forthe whole of the Strategy Area with particular emphasis onThurrock, Basildon and Castlepoint, and Southend andRochford. The numbers in brackets correspond to thoseon the Strategy Area Framework figures.

Potential revitalisation of Canvey Island’s flood wall(source: Thames Path City to Sea: Thames Estuary Partnership)

Potential for sensitively designed path at Fobbing Marshes(source: Thames Path City to Sea: Thames Estuary Partnership)



4.5 Thurrock Strategic Area Framework

The following text should be read in conjunction withFFiigguurree 2266:: TThhuurrrroocckk SSttrraatteeggiicc AArreeaa FFrraammeewwoorrkk.. Thenumbers in the text refer to the numbers on Figure 26.

Key Issues and Opportunities:

• located on the outer edge of London on the banks ofthe Thames Estuary

• foreshore dominated by industry including oil storageand refinery works, docks, passenger boat terminal andpower station

• electricity pylons feature throughout the area which canprovide local landmarks but also have negativeconnotations related to visual qualities and healthconcerns

• military defence heritage highlights at Coalhouse andTilbury Forts

• mineral workings at Mucking Flats and on higher landeast of Linford

• generally low-lying with a rock outcrop feature whichruns east/west through the heart of Purfleet

• Mardyke Valley - marsh, estuarine characterapproximately south of A13; wooded, steeply sidedfurther north

• Thames Chase Community Forest extends north• Major out of town shopping centre at Lakeside• Queen Elizabeth II Bridge provides landmark; connects

northern and southern banks of estuary by car only -no footpath or cyclepath (cyclists will be transportedover/through the crossing) opportunity for excellentviews missed; creates a significant barrier forpedestrians and cyclists

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and WildlifeSites are often adjacent to urban areas, some arebrownfield: proposed London Riverside ConservationPark based around Wennington, Aveley and RainhamMarshes

• Internationally recognised wildlife habitats at MuckingMarshes, also of historical importance to the ThamesEstuary;

• A13 inter-urban road creates physical barriers tonorth-south movement

• East Thurrock - more rural with historic hamlets, andthe architecturally and socially important East Tilbury -a former factory with associated housing laid out in agrid based on East European model

• East Thurrock Green Belt - typical urban fringe -degraded farmland of relatively low ecological valuewith remnants of previous land uses and field patterns

• pressure on green belt to meet housing needs; and• International Port at Tilbury and proposed large port

facility at London Gateway development at Shellhaven.

Guidance

• Embed this Strategy into Thurrock Visioning Project,Thurrock Community Strategy, Local DevelopmentFramework and Documents and Thurrock UDCRegeneration Framework to ensure that its fullpotential is realised

• Promote and enhance the visual landmarks withinThurrock such as Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and TilburyPower Station

• Utilise the geological legacy of Thurrock:- Develop disused mineral workings as parks as and

when land becomes available in strategic locationsidentified: Cory and Bluehouse Country Parks

- Create Chadwell St.Mary Greenway (3) associatedwith chalk rock outcrop feature through Purfleetand Tilbury

• Promote the industrial heritage of Thurrock:- Interpret the social and wealth creator aspects, and

industrial processes, e.g. at Tilbury Port, TilburyPower Station, and the industrial complexes atPurfleet

- Identify brown field sites with high biodiversity valuee.g. West Thurrock Marshes

• Promote agricultural heritage of Thurrock: maintainand interpret the history and workings of theagricultural land and marshlands at East Tilbury andMucking Marshes

• Promote military defence heritage: improveinterpretation facilities at proposed Coalhouse FortCountry Park and Tilbury Fort Country Park

• Create A13 Parkway Corridor between outer London,Thurrock and Basildon, and build distinctivepedstrian/cycle bridges reconnecting urban areas tothe Mardyke Valley, Thames Chase Community Forestand the South Essex countryside

• Promote leisure and commuter ferry links from Tilburyacross, and up and down the Thames (Riverway 5).

• Incorporate flood risk and water managementschemes, based on Strategic Flood Risk Assessments,in green spaces associated with the Thames (Riverway5) and the Mardyke Valley (Riverway 1)

• Maintain ecological value of C2C Railway Corridor,improve visual and environmental qualities of, andconnectivity to stations at Lakeside, Purfleet, Grays,Tilbury, East Tilbury; and

• Create four new strategic parks:- Tilbury Fort Country Park - military history/port

history, connected to Greenways (2) and (21)- Coalhouse Fort Country Park - military history of

fort and estuary connected to Greenways (3), (4), (5)and (21)

- Cory Country Park - industrial history of marshes,connected to Greenway (5)

- Bluehouse Country Park - mineralextraction/farming practices, connected toGreenways (4)


Mardyke Valley


0 1 2 3km

A13

Tilbury

Grays

M25

A1089

1

3

1

2

4

1

2

1

5

3

1

2

4

1

2

3 4

5

21

21

21

1

2

3

Figure 26 Thurrock Strategic Area Framework

Based upon Ordnance Survey map with the permission of the controller ofH.M.S.O. ' Crown copyright Reproduced under licence No. 189189

RAILWAYS

C2C

Thames Catchment1. Mardyke Valley5. River Thames

GREENWAYS

RIVERWAYS

1. Thurrock/ Grays2. Tilbury3. Chadwell St Marys

1

2

PARKWAYS

A13 ParkwayM25 Parkway

URBAN GREEN ROAD WAYS

A1089

STRATEGIC DESTINATIONS

STRATEGIC PARKS

1

1

1. Tilbury Fort Country Park2. Coalhouse Fort Country Park3. Cory Country Park4. Bluehouse Country Park

1. London Riverside Conservation Park2. Tilbury Fort3. Coalhouse Fort

1

1. Queen Elizabeth II Bridge2. Tilbury Docks3. Tilbury Power Station4. Coalhouse Fort

EXISTING STRATEGIC LANDMARKS

Existing Public Rights ofWay/Proposed links ofStrategic Significance

Open Landscape

The Strategy Area

Designated OpenSpace

Strategic Views

StrategicViewpoints

StrategicBridging Points

4. East Tilbury5. Stanford-le-Hope21.City to Sea/Shoreline

1. Grays1

PROPOSED STRATEGIC LANDMARKS


Thames ChaseCommunity Forest


4.6 Basildon and Castle Point Strategic Area Framework

The following text should be read in conjunction with theFFiigguurree 2277 BBaassiillddoonn aanndd CCaassttllee PPooiinntt SSttrraatteeggiicc AArreeaaFFrraammeewwoorrkk.. The numbers in the text refer to the numberson Figure 27.

Key Issues and Opportunities

• Bissected by escarpment running east-west• Low lying flat marsh area to the south enclosed by

urban areas to west and east and industry ofShellhaven to south. Intersected by Thames tributarycreeks

• Escarpment is a dramatic landscape feature ofgenerally steep grassy slopes with clumps of woodland

• Dramatic panoramic views over the marshes andforeshore to the estuary, open sea and North Kent

• Electricity pylons visually dominate much of the marshareas sometimes providing exciting scenery,sometimes generating negative visual reactions andhealth concerns

• Transport corridor runs along the base of theescarpment to the eastern end of Basildon suburbs -railway continues east to Southend, A13 rises tonorthern edge of South Benfleet, forms physical barrierbetween Basildon and estuarine marshes

• Military defence heritage highlight at Hadleigh Castleon escarpment

• Flood defence features• Canvey flood wall• Fobbing Marsh and Benfleet flood barriers• Dykes • Wat Tyler Country Park, Langdon Hills Country Park,

Hadleigh Country Park are existing facilities• Higher ground, gently rolling topography above

escarpment• Benfleet Woods• A130 acts as a barrier to east-west connectivity• Planned 20th century new town of Basildon contrasts

with suburban sprawl of South Benfleet• Tributaries of River Crouch• Complex settlement and land use pattern generated

over thousands of years• A127 forms physical barrier to connections with

Rayleigh and Rochford Borough countryside; and• After-use of waste disposal site at former mineral

workings at Canvey marshes.

Guidance

• Embed this Strategy in Basildon and Castle PointCommunity Strategies, Local Development Frameworksand Documents, and in Basildon RenaissancePartnership’s Regeneration Framework to ensure thatits full potential is realised

• Promote the Strategic Landmarks at Hadleigh Castle,and Shellhaven

• Utilise the geological legacy of Basildon and CastlePoint:- Re-use waste disposal site (former mineral site) to

expand existing country park facilities close to WatTyler Country Park, (Greenway 10)

- Create One Tree Hill and Hadleigh (Greenways 6 and15 respectively) which follow escarpment

• Promote industrial heritage:- Interpret the social and wealth creator aspects and

industrial processes of Shell Haven and Coryton oilrefineries

- Identify and enhance brown field sites with highbiodiversity value, e.g. Northwick Road site

• Promote agricultural heritage: maintain and interpretthe history and workings of the marshlands, e.g.Fobbing and Bowers Marshes etc. and agricultural landin urban fringe and Green Belt

• Enhance the river frontage at Canvey Island - create apath around the ‘island’, improve access to the estuarywall and create high quality and exciting destinationsalong the sea wall - Canvey Loop (Greenway 14)

• Enlarge and enhance the open space and educationalvalue of Wat Tyler Country Park, an enlarged CountryPark which has the potential to become a RegionalPark

• Promote leisure and commuter ferry links along theThames (Riverway 5) and the navigable tributaries ofthe Thames (Riverways 2, 3 and 4) .

• Create distinctive bridging structures across C2CRailway Corridor, A127, A130 and A13 Parkways toreconnect Basildon urban areas to the marshlands ofthe Thames Estuary and the South Essex countryside

• Incorporate flood risk and water managementschemes, based on Strategic Flood Risk Assessments,in green spaces associated with the Thames (Riverway5), the waterways associated with the Crouch(Riverways 6, 7 and 8)

• Improve landscape quality of urban fringe area andincrease inter-urban connectivity between SouthBenfleet and Basildon (Greenway 8), and between themarshlands and countryside north of the A127(Greenway 10)

• Recognise and enhance land use history of area; and• Maintain and enhance the ecological value of C2C

Railway Corridor, improve visual and environmentalqualities of, and connectivity to stations at Stanford-leHope, Pitsea, Basildon, Laindon and South Benfleet.


Fobbing Marshes


A13

A130

A127

A1014

C2C

Canvey IslandShellhaven

Basildon

A129

B1014

A130

A1089

A132

A176

FGEL

4

7

8

2

3

11

5

10

5-

6

9

4

2

3

4

11

11

122141

11

6666

11111

333

5

6

7

89

10

11

12

13

14

15

21

16

1414

54 5 6

7

8

9

10

16

RAILWAYS

C2CFirst Great Eastern Line (FGEL)

Thames Catchment2. Hole Haven Creek3. East Haven Creek4. Benfleet Creek 5. River Thames

GREENWAYS

RIVERWAYS

4. East Tilbury5. Stanford-le-Hope6. One Tree Hill7. Corringham-Basildon8. Basildon-Southend9. East Basildon10. Wat Tyler

1

2

PARKWAYS

A13 ParkwayA130 Parkway

URBAN GREEN ROADWAYS

A130A13


STRATEGIC PARKS

1

15. Wat Tyler County Park

4. Langdon Hills Country Park5. One Tree Hill6. Wat Tyler County Park7. Benfleet Creek


B1014A132

A129A176

Crouch Catchment6. River Crouch 7. Crays Hill Brook8. Nevendon Brook

11. Bowers Marshes12. Fobbing Marshes13. South Benfleet14. Canvey Loop15. Hadleigh16. Leigh/Rayleigh21. City to Sea/Shoreline

8. The Concorde CafeCanvey Sea Front

9. Hadleigh Castle

1

5. Shellhaven Oil Refinery6. Hadleigh Castle9. Rayleigh Castle

EXISTING STRATEGIC LANDMARKS


Open Landscape

The Strategy Area

Designated PublicOpen Space

Strategic Views

StrategicViewpoints


Figure 27 Basildon and Castle Point Strategic Area Framework


2. Basildon3. South Benfleet4. Canvey Island

1



10. Belfairs Wood16. Langdon Visitor

Centre


4.7 Southend and Rochford Strategic Area Framework

The following text should be read in conjunction with theFFiigguurree 2288 SSoouutthheenndd aanndd RRoocchhffoorrdd SSttrraatteeggiicc AArreeaaFFrraammeewwoorrkk.. The numbers in the text refer to the numberson Figure 28.

Key Issues and Opportunities:

• Steep escarpment along much of the frontageoverlooks the Thames Estuary and a narrow strip ofseafront onto which beaches, promenades, seasideamusements are squeezed, and out of which jutsSouthend pier

• Steepest parts of escarpment contain parks, remainingslopes built on mainly for residential and visitoraccommodation

• Above the escarpment on level ground and on lowerlying ground to the east of Southend Pier a strip ofurban development extends from Shoeburyness in theeast to South Benfleet in the west

• The A127/A1159/A13 (east) forms a physical barrierbetween the urban areas and the countryside ofRochford

• Possible expansion of Southend Airport• Heritage assets are concentrated in the vicinity of the

sea frontage and include military defence assets,notably at Shoebury Garrison and the Admiralty Boom.

• North of the A127, A1159 and the adjoining urban areasof Southend is predominantly rural, interspersed withvillages and hamlets of Rochford. Gently rollingfarmland with large blocks of woodland to the westaround Rayleigh gives way to flatter, more spartanpastureland with hedges, hedgerow trees to the eastwithin the Roach valley.

• Links south to the seafront are generally good,however, links north to the Rochford countryside are inneed of improvement

• There is a deficit of parks in Southend, however,generally they are of high quality (a number with GreenFlags)

• The seafront and pier provide attractive leisure routeswhich promote exercise and healthy living - gaps inprovision and variable quality

• Southend has been a major tourist destination sinceVictorian times, and is particularly popular as a day tripand short break destination

• The A13 urban road is a key main road which generallyreduces connectivity within Southend; and

• The foreshore is an internationally important area fornature conservation and includes the country’s largestlocal nature reserve.

Guidance

• Embed this Strategy into Southend and RochfordCommunity Strategies, Local Development Frameworksand Documents, and the Southend Urban RegenerationCompany’s Regeneration Framework, to ensure thatthe full potential of this Strategy is realised

• Promote and enhance the visual landmarks of the areasuch as Southend Pier and Admiralty Boom atShoeburyness

• Utilise the geological legacy of Southend and Rochford:maintain the character of the cliffs at Southend byensuring land slips are repaired using sympatheticretaining structures

• Promote leisure industry of Southend and Rochford:- Retain and/or restore distinctive heritage features of

the parks and elsewhere- Promote Rochford countryside as a destination

alongside Southend attractions to encourage longervisits by tourists

• Promote sustainable connections (Greenway 18 andFGEL Railway) with Southend Airport, and ensure thatany potential development of the airport is carried outusing sustainable principles

• Improve existing and create new north/southconnections (Greenways 16, 18, 19 and 20) - betweenurban areas and the cliffs, beaches, promenades andattractions of the seafront, and with the distinctive andattractive countryside of Rayleigh and the Roach valley

• Create and/or enhance four new interconnected countryparks on the northern edge of Southend which will helpmake up the deficit of parks within the urban area, andencourage the use and appreciation of the Rochfordcountryside. Each park should have a distinctivecharacter related to its location and existing land uses:- Garons Park - leisure/sport, connected to

Greenways (17),(19) and (22)- Bourne Park - agriculture, connected to Greenways

(20) and (22)- Shoebury Park - ecological, connected to Greenway (22)- Cherry Orchard Jubilee Park - riverside, connected

to Greenway (22) and Riverway (10)• Create distinctive bridges/crossings across A127

Parkway and A1159 Urban Green Road to reconnecturban areas to the Rayleigh and Roach valleycountryside

• Improve the visual quality and crossings of A13 UrbanGreen Road within Southend

• Promote leisure ferry links from Southend Pier toLondon, the rest of the estuary and the East Coast

• Incorporate flood risk and water managementschemes, based on Strategic Flood Risk Assessments,in green spaces associated with the Thames (Riverway5) and the waterways associated with the Roach(Riverways 9, 10 and 11); and

• Improve the visual and environmental qualities of theC2C and FGEL Railways and connectivity to stations.


Southend seafront


A130

C2C

Canvey Island

A13

A13A1159

A129

FGEL

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0 1 2 3km

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Figure 28 Southend and Rochford Strategic Area Framework

RAILWAYS

C2CFirst Great Eastern Line (FGEL)

Thames Catchment4. Benfleet Creek 5. River Thames

GREENWAYS

RIVERWAYS

8. Basildon-Southend11. Fobbing Marshes13. South Benfleet14. Canvey Loop15. Hadleigh16. Leigh/Rayleigh

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2

PARKWAYS


URBAN GREEN ROADWAYS

A13A129


STRATEGIC PARKS

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6. Cherry Orchard Country Park (existing)7. Garons Park (existing)

7. Benfleet Creek8. The Concorde Cafe Canvey 9. Hadleigh Castle10. Belfairs Wood

A1159B1014

Roach Catchment9. Prittlebrook 10. Rayleigh11. Eastwood

17. Prittlebrook18. Central Southend19. Southchurch20. Shoeburyness21. City to Sea/Shoreline22. Rayleigh/ Bournes Green

8. Bourne Park (new)9. Shoebury Park (new)

11. Leigh Beach12. Prittlewell Park and Priory13. Southend Seafront14. Southchurch Park15. Gunners Park

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6. Hadleigh Castle7. Southend Pier8. Admiralty Boom9. Rayleigh Castle

STRATEGIC LANDMARKS


Open Landscape

The Strategy Area

Designated PublicOpen Space

Strategic Views

StrategicViewpoints



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3. South Benfleet4. Canvey Island5. Shoebury Garrison



4.8 Strategic Guidance

The following SSttrraatteeggiicc GGuuiiddaannccee is based on the SSttrraatteeggiiccTThheemmeess and promotes the protection of valuable assets,the enhancement of poor quality assets, the mitigation ofany negative impacts of necessary development, and thecreation of new assets. The Guidance is intended to informthe preparation of the Regional Spatial Strategy and otherregional and County level social, economic, andenvironmental policies; Sub-regional Spatial Strategiesand Frameworks; Community Strategies, LocalDevelopment Frameworks and Documents, AreaDevelopment Frameworks, parks and open spacestrategies, master plans, and all other developmentproposals. The Guidance is intended to be used as achecklist to ensure that the multi-functional benefits ofthis Strategy are considered by development proposals atevery scale, and that opportunities to join up the delivery ofSustainable Communities are not missed. They are basedon the principle that ‘Every proposal should seek toachieve . . .’. They elaborate the information contained inthe Framework Plans and should be read in conjunctionwith them.

The underlying principle of the guidance is to promote highquality in the provision of both new and existing assets.

4.8.1 Accessibility

Every proposal should seek to:

• Provide safe, attractive, well designed, well sign posted,well promoted continuous routes for pedestrians andcyclists within Strategic Corridors and Links. In thecase of rail corridors this provision should beconcentrated around stations. In urban areas ‘park andride’ facilities should be promoted to encourage publictransport links and reduce the number of car journeys.The potential added benefits of ‘green’ bridges overParkways should be promoted. Commuter cycle andfootpath routes should also be promoted. Provision forbridleways should be made where there is an existingor projected need. The routes should link into theThames Path City to Sea

• Provide safe and attractive facilities including shelter,drinking water, toilets, first aid, telephones andaccommodation for rangers at regular intervals foreach Greenway Corridor and Link

• Create/maintain connections into, through and betweenexisting and proposed communities via the StrategicCorridors and Links

• Provide key river crossings where they supportstrategic requirements, particularly connecting banksof the River Thames and its tributaries

• Promote Strategic Corridors and Links related to publictransport hubs

• Comply with the Rights of Way Improvement Plansrequired by the CROW Act (2000). All proposals forfootpaths and/or cycleway’s should be accompanied bya recreation strategy and plan, which shows how theproposed paths integrate with the existing pathnetwork, identify ‘honey-pot’ areas, and demonstratehow proposals complement each other across the

Strategy Area. Included within this, should beconsideration of ‘users’ requirements, such ascommuter and leisure routes - including the need forsolid surfaces and muddy-boot surfaces. They shouldalso consider the needs of those with mobility issueswho do not necessarily want flat, hard surfaces.Pathways should maximise the opportunity to broadenpeople’s experience and should not be prejudiced byurban or rural contexts. Local Access Forums shouldbe consulted; and

• Link Strategic Corridors to national leisure routesbeyond the Strategy Area.

• Achieve the accessible green space standardspromoted by English Nature (ANGst) and the accessiblewoodland standards promoted by The Woodland Trust(www.woodland-trust.org.uk).

4.8.2 Planning


• Comply with national, regional and local planningguidance including this Strategy; and

• Be tested for compliance with this Strategy.

4.8.3 Character - landscape, townscape and riverscape


• Ensure that the design of new developments -buildings, landscapes and structures - create orenhance a sense of place and local identity. Theyshould respect and enhance existing landscape,townscape and riverscape character as defined in thisStrategy, and be based on a more detailed localcharacterisation carried out in accordance withGuidelines for Landscape and Visual Assessmentpublished by the Landscape Institute

• Use hard and soft materials in the buildings,landscapes and structures which respect the local


Hadleigh Castle


character and differences in geology• Promote the character and culture of South Essex; and• Use plants appropriate to the local landscape character

e.g. woodland should not be introduced to marsh areas.

4.8.4 Biodiversity


• Map areas of conservation importance which will placeproposals in context and ensure that wildlife refugesand habitat creation/restoration areas are appropriateand sustainable. Mapping should identify statutory andnon-statutory designated sites, Biodiversity Action Plan(BAP) habitat and species, as well as areas consideredto be valuable in the wider countryside context

• Contribute to the establishment of a connected systemof habitats, the value of brownfield sites should not beoverlooked

• Promote the ecological, educational and health benefitsof maintaining/improving the biodiversity of privateopen space including domestic gardens

• Encourage the promotion of wildlife by less intensivefarming methods, hedge-laying and hedge planting e.g.Countryside Stewardship Scheme

• Promote the role of trees and woodland as described inthe Regional Woodland Strategy for the East ofEngland; and

• Complete a sustainability check list to ensure the mostsustainable options are selected.

4.8.5 Archaeological, historical and cultural resources

Every proposal should:

• Be based on English Heritage’s ‘Thames GatewayHistoric Environment Characterisation’ project andassociated archaeological and built heritage surveys toinform conservation priorities, designs and proposals

• Protect, enhance, promote and interpret designatedheritage features; and

• Encourage celebration of cultural heritage.

4.8.6 Flood risk and water management

Every proposal should:

• Be based on a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for thecatchment area

• seek to be multi-functional and address all theStrategic Themes of this Strategy

• aim to enhance Riverways by restoring water coursesto natural profiles and with retention ponds, wetlandand marshland habitats where appropriate as part ofsustainable drainage systems (SDS)

• where appropriate, incorporate the principles ofSustainable Drainage Systems (SDS) e.g. use of porouspaving materials to reduce run off, incorporation ofbalancing ponds, green roof systems, etc.

• seek to maintain/create areas of informal wildlifehabitats, alongside or within river corridors which arenot accessible by the public. Refuge areas free fromdisturbance are essential elements for the

maintenance of local biodiversity and therefore anessential element to the quality of life of both urbanand rural communities. (The Environment Agencytypically asks for a minimum of 8m (alongsidefreshwater rivers) and 16m (alongside tidal rivers)buffer zones, which do not include hard development).The Agency also sees this as an opportunity to ensurepaths and greenspaces are integrated into builtdevelopments adjacent to the river corridor, whetherresidential, industrial or mixed use. Useful referencecould also be made here to the ‘Regional WoodlandStrategy for the East of England’. This will ensurehigher standards of design within these areas andfacilitate the integration of new developments in to thelocal community; and

• consider the cumulative impact of new bridges inrelation to existing bridges further upstream anddownstream of the site. Bridges disrupt river corridors,create shading and can affect river processesdepending on size, width and design. The EnvironmentAgency normally seeks clear spanning bridges, withminimum widths. Existing bridges should be used andadapted if at all possible. Opportunities should also besought for incorporating bat and bird boxes within thebridge structure.

4.8.7 Education, skills and learning


• Promote the educational benefits of the Green Gridthrough Local Education Authorities, Sure Start,children’s centres, nurseries, schools and colleges

• Promote the Green Grid as ‘safe routes to schools’ toencourage children to walk and cycle to school

• Enhance the visual quality and biodiversity value ofschool grounds; and

• Promote events and community engagement inconservation management work.


Queen Elizabeth II Bridge


4.8.8 Leisure and Recreation


• Promote the leisure and recreational uses of eachStrategic Corridor and Link; and

• Promote the cultural qualities of South Essex.

4.8.9 Urban form


• Achieve the seven objectives of urban design promotedin By Design - Urban Design in the Planning System,Towards Better Practice, DETR/ CABE, 2000:

• Character• Continuity and enclosure• Quality of public realm• Ease of movement• Legibility• Adaptability; and• Diversity

• Be prepared in accordance with this Strategy.

4.8.10 Views and landmarks


• Be based on a landscape and visual assessment whichidentifies key viewpoints and landmarks, and proposestheir protection, enhancement and the creation of newviewpoints and landmarks

• Put forward proposals to mitigate any negative impactson identified Strategic Views and Landmarks; and

• Encourage appreciation of the rugged, distinctive visualqualities of industrial landscapes.

4.8.11 Infrastructure


• Promote implementation of environmentalinfrastructure created alongside all transport, utilities,flood risk management and built form infrastructure.

4.8.12 Positive physical and mental health


• Promote access for both urban and rural communitiesto green space with a diversity of active and passiverecreational and leisure pursuits which will encourageparticipation and provide significant benefits forphysical and mental well-being and encourage socialinclusion

• Promote links with Primary Care Trusts, SocialServices Departments, hospitals and mental healthtrusts to exploit the potential for healthy livingprogrammes

• Consider proposals for horticultural therapy• Consider opportunities and provision of allotments and

small holdings for local food production; and• Promote the understanding of the role of regular

exercise for a healthy life style as outlined in the East ofEngland Plan for Sport.

4.8.13 Social and economic benefits


• Promote social regeneration through the creation ofhigh quality parks and greenspaces in the right place,of the right quality and with the right facilities based onidentified social and demographic needs of localcommunities in accordance with a parks and greenspace strategy prepared in accordance with PPG 17:open space, recreation and sports

• Establish the economic value of environmentalfunctions performed by the Green Grid such asreducing air pollution, enhancing water quality, floodwater storage, energy production, food and forestryproduction, waste recycling, etc. and charge those whobenefit to provide revenue for high quality managementand maintenance

• Include proposals for capturing back land valuesenhanced through investment and improvements to theGreen Grid to repay capital costs and contribute torevenue funds for ongoing management andmaintenance. Consider establishing CommunityDevelopment Finance Investment vehicles to manageparks and green spaces

• Promote local food production and distribution ofproduce

• Include employment opportunities for those withmental health problems or a disability

• Contribute to developing a sense of pride/belonging inthe community; and

• Explore how the Green Grid can feature in recruitmentpackages.


Beach at Southend


5.0 Making it HappenSSuussttaaiinnaabbllee CCoommmmuunniittiieess:: GGrreeeenniinngg tthhee GGaatteewwaayy,makes a powerful case for the Government’sexpectations of a high quality, functional green spacenetwork throughout the Thames Gateway. This Strategyfor the Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid is anequally powerful response to that expectation. Itproposes a spatial and policy framework derived froman understanding of the positive and negative aspectsof the resource that exists, community requirementsderived from stakeholder consultations and workshops,and a Vision promoting a fundamental shift in emphasisthat places landscape at the heart of the developmentprocess, and environmental process at the heart ofsustainable development and the economy.

Every bit of the landscape, and every environmentalprocess should be exploited to improve accessibility toand through the area particularly by foot and by bicycle;to protect, enhance and create new areas ofoutstanding landscape, riverscape and townscapecharacter; biodiversity value; archaeological, culturaland built heritage; settings for development; views andlandmarks; and provide sustainable energy, clean air,food and water; manage flood risk, ameliorate theeffects of climate change; promote healthy living and astrong sense of community and a sustainable economy.This should be delivered through the planning system -the Strategy should influence the preparation of theRegional Spatial Strategy, Local DevelopmentFrameworks and Documents, and all developmentproposals. It should also be delivered throughinvestment in, and the implementation of publictransport and utilities infrastructure.

The economic arguments for investment in the GreenGrid are compelling. The need for a creative approachto delivery, investment, promotion and marketing whichmatches the scale and dynamics of this Strategy’sVision is evident.

Delivery partners will range from European andnational government and their agencies, nationalinterest groups, regional government and its agencies,local authorities, developers, voluntary organisationsand community groups.

The Strategy promotes high quality environmentalinfrastructure that in turn promotes high qualitydevelopment and vice-versa. High quality environmentsyield, over time, higher property values. Consequently,there should be exploration into ways of capturing backa part of that rise in value not only to pay back earlycapital investment, but also to ensure adequate fundingfor its long term management and maintenance shouldbe explored. This will encourage investor confidenceand facilitate positive marketing of South Essex as ahigh quality and attractive place to live, work and playforever.

Delivery/development partners will be encouraged topromote the concept of the ’’wwoorrkkiinngg llaannddssccaappee’’, ofplacing a value on ’environmental functions’ performedby the environmental infrastructure such as flood riskmanagement, water cleansing through reed bedsystems, reduction in urban ’heat island’ temperaturesthrough extensive tree planting, promotion of healthyliving through preventative health-care, etc. The broadprinciple should be that ’’tthhoossee wwhhoo bbeenneeffiitt ffrroomm iittsshhoouulldd ppaayy ffoorr iitt’’ - this may require much greatertransparency in how and why projects are funded anddelivered, and the costs agreed up front.

Through this Strategy, there is an opportunity to notonly improve on existing environmental provisionthrough Green Grid projects, but also to ensure thatevery new development has significant ’’aaddddeedd vvaalluuee’’based on the principle that we should iinnvveesstt oonnccee,, aannddiinnvveesstt wwiisseellyy ffoorr lloonngg tteerrmm bbeenneeffiitt.. There is no doubtthat excellence in planning, design, implementation,management and maintenance at the beginning ofprojects, leads to much more sustainable solutions at afraction of the cost of retro-fitting them.

TThhee ddeelliivveerryy aaggeennttss ooff tthhee GGrreeeenn GGrriidd wwiillll nneeeedd ttoo bbee aatttthhee ttaabbllee wwhheenn aallll kkeeyy pprroojjeeccttss aarree bbeeiinngg ppllaannnneedd,,ddeessiiggnneedd aanndd iimmpplleemmeenntteedd..

5.1 Community Engagement

Change on the scale envisaged in South Essex will alsorequire that ccoommmmuunniittyy ccaappaacciittyy iiss bbuuiilltt ttoo aacccceepptt iitt aannddssuuppppoorrtt it. Existing communities are fearful that newdevelopment may destroy much of what they valueabout where they live, lead to more congestion, anddivert investment into new developments at the expenseof the existing areas that need enhancing. These arethe twin instinctive reactions to change on this scale:firstly that we have reached the limits of the existingenvironment to support it; and secondly, that we havereached the limits of existing communities’ capacity togrow and develop. Engagement of existing and newcommunities is, therefore, an important aspect of theGreen Grid and offers an enlightened way of buildingcommunity capacity by engaging them in the process ofenvironmental change and involvement in delivery.



CCoommmmuunniittyy EEnnggaaggeemmeenntt CCaassee SSttuuddyy :: TThhaammeess CChhaasseeCCoommmmuunniittyy FFoorreesstt

Since its inception in 1990 Thames Chase has placedthe local communities at the heart of improving thelocal environment. The Thames Chase Plan hascommunity policies which promote community action,involvement and participation. The Community Forest’soverall objective is to achieve a high level commitmentand involvement in creating the Community Forest.

In reality this has translated into various programmes.The Thames Chase partnership has used ‘Planning forReal’ techniques to engage local communities andallow them to become involved in green space planningfor a new area of the Forest. Other new sites opened bythe Forestry Commission have been subject tocommunity consultations including one to oneinterviews, "walks and talks" and an innovative‘Countryside Supermarket’ idea. As a result of thisengagement, Thames Chase has numerous ‘Friends of’groups, volunteer warden groups and a permanent, andactive Thames Chase Volunteer group.

Cultural Activity

Cultural activity has the capacity to engage all sectionsof community in the processes of building healthy,vibrant and inclusive neighbourhoods. Investment inculture, and support and encouragement for a widerange of cultural activities is an integral part ofcreating sustainability and health, and in setting theconditions for inclusive and forward lookingcommunities.

5.2 Promotion and Marketing

Promotion, branding, marketing and investment arecrucial aspects in engendering political and communitysupport for the Strategy and its delivery. It is alsocrucial to encouraging use by the community, andpromoting tourism. The Green Grid can form a keyelement in promoting the area to outside investors -there is no doubt that high quality environments, attracthigh quality people, who attract high quality businesses.

5.3 The time is right, the time is now

We have a once in a generation opportunity to developcommunities fit for the twenty-first century. The GreenGrid is a substantial part of the overall vision for SouthEssex. It is a vital part of the mechanism for deliveringsustainable communities, and has the capacity totransform once and for all the image of ThamesGateway South Essex.

Mudflats at Shoeburyness


www.lda-design.co.uk

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