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The Future

The Parklands funding of these five sites is not the only greenspace development in South Essex. The Local Authorities, Environmental charities and other Government organisations are preparing bids for future projects. … >>

FAQs

Who is managing Parklands in South Essex?

Essex County Council has employed a Parklands Project Manager, John Meehan to manage the Programme. He is based at Castle Point Borough Council offices with the Thames Gateway South Essex Team.

What is the Parklands Vision?

Our Vision is to take what’s great about South Essex and, through Parklands, to signify to current and future generations of residents and visitors that this is a place that celebrates its heritage and environmental character, embraces its identity and connections with the Thames estuary, is aware of its carbon footprint, and welcomes people and enterprise. South Essex is the natural, sustainable place to be.

How does Parklands fit with the Greengrid?

The Greengrid Strategy was written in 2005 and set out the strategic vision to link all greenspaces, where possible across Thames Gateway South Essex. The Parklands Projects are large scale projects announced by Government in 2008 to deliver large areas of the Greengrid

What are the strategic objectives of Parklands?

Our strategic objectives focus specifically on the role of Parklands in realising the Vision To secure a high quality, accessible natural environment that focuses on the South Essex Marshlands.

To secure a high quality built environment and public realm.
To contribute to the eco-region, specifically through climate change mitigation and adaptation.
To promote and celebrate the historic environment and heritage
To create opportunities for sustainable transport between homes, workplaces and visitor attractions.

What are the Parklands Projects?

For more details see the “Projects” part of this website. The Parklands Projects are in alphabetical order.

Canvey Wick.
The restoration of a 100 hectares former petroleum site which has returned to nature over the last 40 years managed by the Land Restoration Trust.
Central South Essex Marshes.
The improvement of 930 hectares of marshland South of Basildon and on the Western area of Canvey Island. Managed by RSPB.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park.
Mainly the Cory Landfill site in Mucking which will cease filling over the next two years and the landfill will become a Park. It is surrounding existing nature reserves. The total area of 640 hectares will be managed by Essex Wildlife Trust.
Wat Tyler Country Park.
A park which is receiving a new Visitor Centre and facilities from Lottery and Veolia, however the Parklands funding will improve the overall Landscape. Additionally a new Green/Eco Centre will be funded showing how such parks contribute to offset global warming and seek to slow down climate change. The project is managed by Basildon District Council.
Wildspace Thurrock.
Part of another project called Wildspace London which is restoring Rainham, Aveley and Wennington Marshes. Wildspace Thurrock will specifically improve the Thurrock area of the marshes. The projects include a new foot and cycle bridge to nearby Purfleet and erecting a wind turbine.

Where are the Parklands Projects?

They are all in the Thames Gateway South Essex area.

Wildspace Thurrock is in Purfleet, Thurrock.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is in Mucking, Thurrock.
The Central South Essex Marshes is in the South of Basildon and in the West of Canvey Island.
Wat Tyler Country Park is South of Pitsea.
Canvey Wick is on Canvey Island in Castle Point Borough Council

Are the Parklands Projects open to the public?

Not all of them, as the funding is resigned to create the greenspace over the three years.

Two projects are open, namely Wildspace Thurrock, which is a project focused around Rainham RSPB Reserve. (Open 7 days a week 01708 899 840) and Wat Tyler Country Park, near Pitsea (Open 7 days a week 01268 550 088).

How were the Parklands Projects chosen?

All the local conservation groups were asked to prepare projects which fitted with the Governments vision for Parklands.
This long list was reduced to 16 projects which formed a “Business Plan” which was sent to the Government Department, CLG in July 2008. In November 2008 5 were chosen as the ideal Parklands Projects.

Will there be more Parklands Projects?

We hope so! The vision produced by Government described the parklands vision as “One vision – a Thousand Projects”
Throughout Thames Gateway in Essex, London and Kent 15 Parklands Projects have been started. There are hundreds more to be implemented, many with funding from elsewhere. In Essex we have identified another 100 major projects and hundreds of other small projects exist.

Whose funding is the Parklands Money?

It is funding belong to CLG (Communities and Local Government), which is a Government Department overseeing the development of Thames Gateway. The funding is being administered by the Housing and Communities Agency (HCA)

How much money is being spent on Parklands Projects?

£11.5 million of Government funding and £12.9 million of other funding, such as Lottery funding, Landfill Tax (Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust and Cory Environmental Trust). The total funding is a staggering £24.4 million.

How long does the money last?

It is for 3 financial years from April 2008 to March 2011