PARKS AND OPEN SPACES STRATEGY - LBBD

PARKS AND OPEN SPACES STRATEGYLondon Borough of Barking and Dagenham

Section 2 - Technical Appendices and Evidence Base

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APPENDIX 2

LB Barking and Dagenham | Parks and Open Space Strategy | Technical Appendices and Evidence Base2

PROJECT TITLE: A1763 London Borough Of Barking and Dagenham Parks and Opens Spaces Strategy

Client: The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

Version Date Version Details Prepared by Checked by Approved by Principal

V1.0 Jon Sheaff, Peter Neal, Tim Gill, Sarah Williams, Aniela ZabaMargarida Oliveira, Julia Halasz, Visakha Sroy, Tom Jackson, Erin Gianferrara, Duncan Royle, Ian Dickie

Jon SheaffPeter Neal

Jon Sheaff

V2.0 22.06.2017 Additional information provided within Section 1.3 Benchmarking and standards; Section 6.0 - Events in Barking and Dagenham and Section 7.0 - Play provision in Barking and Dagenham

Jon Sheaff, Tim Gill Jon Sheaff Jon Sheaff

This document has been prepared for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham by:

Jon Sheaff and AssociatesUnit 5.1, Bayford Street Business CentreLondon E8 3SEwww.jonsheaff.co.uk

Study team: JSAJon SheaffMargarida OliveiraJulia HalaszVisakha SroyTom JacksonPeter NealTim GillSarah WilliamsAniela ZabaErin GianferraraDuncan RoyleIan Dickie

Acknowledgements

The project team would like to thank LB Barking and Dagenham for contributing to the analysis, providing the necessary data and guidance in a timely matter.

LB Barking and Dagenham | Parks and Open Space Strategy | Technical Appendices and Evidence Base 33

CONTENTS - SECTION 2

TECHNICAL APPENDICES AND EVIDENCE BASE

1.0 The Strategic Policy Context 5 1.1 Planning context 1.2 Barking and Dagenham corporate strategies 1.3 Benchmarks and standards

2.0 Baseline characteristics 11 2.1 Strategic context 2.2 Topography, geology and habitats 2.3 Settlementpatterns 2.4 Demographics and ethnicity 2.5 Health 2.6 Education 2.7 Green Infrastructure 2.8 Crimeandanti-socialbehaviour 2.9 Housing supply and growth

3.0 Value of parks and green spaces 18 3.1 Theeconomicvalueofgreenspace 3.2 Thesocialvalueofgreenspace 3.3 Theenvironmentalvalueofgreenspace

4.0 Barking and Dagenham’s greenspace 20 4.1 Greenspaceprovision 4.2 Barking and Dagenham indicators

5.0 Quality Assessment 26 5.1 Assessing quality 5.2 Quality assessment criteria 5.3 Recent changes and trends in quality

6.0 Events in Barking and Dagenham 32 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Context 6.3 Proposals and reasoning 6.4 Key parks sites 6.5 Communityevents 6.6 Strengtheningtheeventsprocess 6.7 Licensingofparksandeventsinfrastructure 6.8 Deliveryelements 6.9 Structureandworkingpractices 6.10 Conclusion

7.0 Play provision in Barking and Dagenham 38 7.1 Evidencebaseonoutdoorplayanditsbenefits 7.2 Benefitsofoutdoorlearninginnaturalspaces 7.3 Existingpatternofoutdoorplayprovision 7.4 Bestpracticeconsiderations 7.5 Programmingandevents 7.6 Recommendations

8.0 Food growing in Barking and Dagenham 44 8.1 Why grow food in parks? 8.2 Green space, gardening & health 8.3 Health impact of food growing 8.4 Community and social impact of food growing 8.5 Educationalimpactoffoodgrow 8.6 Food growing and climate change 8.7 The business case for food growing 8.8 Food growing in Barking & Dagenham

9.0 Outdoor playing pitch provision in Barking and Dagenham 52

9.1 Playing pitch strategy 9.2 Implementationoftheoutdoorplayingpitchstrategy(OPPS)

10.0 Corporate Natural Capital Accounting in Barking and Dagenham 54

10.1 Executivesummary 10.2 Introduction 10.3 Background to CNCA 10.4 Natural capital asset register 10.5 Physicalflowaccount 10.6 Monetaryflowaccount 10.7 Natural capital maintenance cost account 10.8 Conclusions

11.0 Public Consultation and Engagement 64

11.1 On-linequestionnaire 11.2 Publicconsultationevents 11.3 Masterplanconsultations 11.4 MeetingwiththeBarkingandDagenham’sAccessandPlanning Forum 11.5 MeetingwiththeBADYouthForum 11.6 A workshop with Northbury Primary School 11.7 Meetingswithcouncilofficers 11.8 ActionPlanworkshop 11.9 Discussionswithneighbouringauthorities 11.10 Social media comments 11.11 Summaryoffindings

12.0 Capital Investment Strategy 69 12.1 RegenerationArearenewal 12.2 External funding 12.3 Otherexternalfundingoptions 12.4 BarkingandDagenhamCouncilcapitalinvestment 12.5 Conclusion

13.0 Future funding and governance options for Parks and Open Spaces 72

13.1 Future funding streams 13.2 Alternativegovernancemodels

A.0 APPENDICES 76 A1 Quality assessment of parks and open

spaces - supporting evidence maps A2 Play assessment A3 Online questionnaire A4 Public consultations and workshops A5 Masterplans consultations A6 Social media feedback and comments A7 Background to CNCA A8 CNCA’s methodology A9 Feasibility estimate


List of Abbreviations

AAP Area Action Plan

ANGSt Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard

CO2e Carbon equivalent

CNCA Corporate Natural Capital Account

EA Environmental Agency

GIS Geographic information systems

JSNA Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

LBBD London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

MENE Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment

NICE National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

ONS OfficeforNationalStatistics

ORVal Outdoor Recreation Valuation Tool

OSA Open Space Assessment

SEG Socio-Economic Group

SuDS Sustainable Drainage System


THE STRATEGIC POLICY CONTEXT 1

1.1 THE PLANNING CONTEXT

National Planning Policy Framework (2012)TheNPPF(2012)supersedesanumberofplanningpolicystatementsand guidance, including PPG17 and its companion guide. It sets out the government’splanningpoliciesforEnglandinsupportofthegovernment’sobjectivetoachievesustainabledevelopment.TheNPPFalsoprovidesa‘framework within which local people and their accountable councils can produce their own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans, which reflect the needs and priorities of their communities.’

Considerable emphasis is placed within the NPPF upon the design of the built environment,stressingtheimportanceof‘high quality and inclusive design for all development, including individual buildings, public and private spaces and wider area development schemes’.

Furtheremphasisisplaceduponthedeliveryofhealthoutcomes,withdevelopmentsrequiredtobe‘safe and accessible, containing clear and legible pedestrian routes, and high quality public space, which encourage the active and continual use of public areas’.

Localplanningauthoritiesshould:

‘set out a strategic approach in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure’.

Greeninfrastructurebeingdefinedas‘a network of multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities’.Openspaceisdefinedas:‘all open space of public value, including not just land, but also areas of water (such as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs) which offer important opportunities for sport and recreation and can act as a visual amenity’.

Theframeworkcontinues:

‘Access to high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities. Planning policies should be based on robust and up to date assessments of the needs for open spaces, sports and recreation facilities and opportunities for new provision. The assessments should identify specific needs and quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses of open spaces, sports and recreational facilities in the local area. Information gained from the assessments should be used to determine what open spaces, sports and recreational provision is required’.

‘Planning policies should protect and enhance public rights of way and access. Local authorities should seek opportunities to provide better facilities for users, for example by adding links to existing rights of way networks including National Trails’.

‘Local Plans should take account of climate change over the longer term, including factors such as flood risk, coastal change, water supply and changes to biodiversity and landscape. When new development is brought forward

in areas which are vulnerable, care should be taken to ensure that risks can be managed through suitable adaptation measures, including through the planning of green infrastructure’.

SpecificallyinrespectofGreenBelt,theNPPFproposesthat‘The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence.’

ThisOpenSpacesStrategywilldiscussallofthestrategicplanningobjectivesset out in the NPPF.

The London Plan (2016)TheLondonPlan(2016)istheMayor’sspatialdevelopmentstrategyforLondon.ThedevelopmentstrategyforBarkingandDagenhamwillincludethe managed release of some surplus industrial land for housing and other complementaryuses,consolidatingtheofferoftheremainingindustrialland.‘Any new development and infrastructure brought forward in this area must avoid adverse effects on any European site of nature conservation importance (to include SACs, SPAs, Ramsar, proposed and candidate sites) either alone or in combination with other plans and projects’.

Policy7.18oftheLondonPlanaddressestheneedfor‘protecting local open spaces and addressing local deficiency’.ThepolicysetsouttherequirementforLDFsto:‘ensure that future open space needs are planned for in areas with the potential for substantial change such as opportunity areas, regeneration areas, intensification areas and other local areas’ and to ‘ensure that open space needs are planned in accordance with green infrastructure strategies to deliver multiple benefits’.

Policy 2.18 focuses on green infrastructure and the need to protect, promote, expandandmanagetheextentandqualityofandaccesstoLondon’snetworkofgreeninfrastructure.Greeninfrastructureisconsideredasamultifunctionalnetworkthatwill‘secure benefits including, but not limited to: biodiversity; natural and historic landscapes; culture; building a sense of place; the economy; sport; recreation; local food production; mitigating and adapting to climate change; water management; and the social benefits that promote individual and community health and well-being’.

TheLondonPlanrequiresLondonboroughstodevelopopenspacesstrategiestoguidetheprotection,promotion,enhancementandeffectivemanagementofLondon’snetworkofopenspaces.TheMayorhaspublished(jointlywithCABE)bestpracticeguidanceonthepreparationofopenspacesstrategies:‘OpenSpacesStrategies:BestPracticeGuidance’(2009).TheLondonPlanalso establishes a hierarchy for public open spaces which includes a distance thresholdtobeusedtoassessareasofthecapitalthathavedeficiencyinrespectopenspaceprovision1.

Greeninfrastructureandopenenvironments:theAllLondonGreenGrid

TheAllLondonGreenGridSupplementaryPlanningGuidance(2012)identifiesdeficienciesandopportunitiesinrespectofLondon’snetworkofgreen,naturalandculturalspacesandprovidesguidanceonfuturefundingandmanagement.TheSPGfocuseson11GreenGridsub-regionswithinwhichthe policies and range of projects set out in the guidance can be executed.


AreasofBarkingandDagenhamarecoveredbytheEppingForestandRodingValley and Thames Chase, Beam and Ingrebourne Green Grid area.

TheSPGidentifies6specificgreeninfrastructureopportunitiesforthisareaofLondon:

1.Improveaccess,diversifyuseandimprovethequalityoftheexistingopen space networks of Barking Town Centre.

2. Promote Abbey Green as the catalyst to create links south through the GascoigneEstatetoBarkingRiversideandBecktonDistrictParktolinknorth to Green Street, Plashet Park and Wanstead Flats.

3.IntegrategreeninfrastructureaspartoftheregenerationofBarkingRiversidewithparticularemphasisonincorporatingfloodmanagement/SUDs,conservingandenhancingbiodiversityandcreatinganetworkofaccessible green spaces.

4.PreserveandenhancenaturalhabitatsaroundBarkingCreektoestablish wetland habitats such as grazing marsh, reed beds, ponds and wetwoodland,increasingaccessibilitywithpotentialforproductiveuseswithinNewham,whilstmaintainingthenavigabilityofthelowerRoding for commercial and leisure use.

5. Create and promote exemplar community led food growing sites across theareamakinguseofunderutilisedlandsuchasthederelictgaragesof Barking and Dagenham, Central Park nursery, or the walled garden of Ray Park.

6.OpenuptheculvertedsectionsoftheGoresbrookrestoringnaturalisedriverbanksandfloodplains,providingaccessalongtheGoresbrookLinkfromParsloesParkthroughGoresbrookParkandtheBarkingRiversidedevelopmentsitetotheThames2.

The Local Plan, Barking and Dagenham’s Core Strategy (2011)

TheLocalPlanincludesasuiteofDevelopmentPlanDocuments(DPD’s)andSupplementaryPlanningDocuments(SPD’s)TheBarkingandDagenhamLocalPlan is a document which sets out what Barking and Dagenham will look likein2033andthepolicieswhichwilldeliverthisambition,andisfocusedondeliveringthecouncil’svision‘Oneborough;Onecommunity;London’sgrowthopportunity’.

The Local Plan includes targets for the number of homes and jobs to be deliveredfrom2018to2033.Itsetsouttherequirementsfornewtransportconnectionsandfacilitiessuchasschoolsandhealthcentrestomeettheneedsofnewandexistingresidents.TheLocalPlanwillalsoincludethosefeatures which people cherish and need to be protected such as parks and historic buildings.

Partofthevisionfor2025isthat‘the borough’s verdant parks will be connected by a network of tree-lined streets, wildlife corridors, and cycle paths. Barking and Dagenham’s natural heritage and biodiversity will be flourishing. The banks of the River Thames and Roding will be rich in biodiversity and offer quality opportunities for recreation and leisure and spectacular views will be enjoyed from inspiring high rise waterfront apartments’.

AconsultationprocessontheissuestobeaddressedintheLocalPlantookplacebetweenOctober2015andJanuary2016.TheresponsestothisconsultationwereevaluatedandarebeingusedtoinformtheDraftLocalPlan.

TheDraftLocalPlanisbeingpreparedforasix-weekformalconsultationduringQuarter2of2018(Regulation19).Atthisstageintheplan-makingprocess, the Local Plan will only be changed if there are legal reasons. Amendment need to address whether the Local Plan has been made in accordancewithlegislativerequirementsandiftheLocalPlanisconsistentwithnationalandLondonPlanpolicy.

OncetheconsultationontheDraftLocalPlanhasbeencompleted,thecouncilwillconsiderallcommentsreceivedandusethesetoinformthesubmissionversionoftheLocalPlan.TheLocalPlanwillthenbesubmittedtotheSecretaryofStateforanindependentExaminationinPublic(EiP)beforethePlanning Inspectorate.

The Inspector then will prepare a report for the council and may require changestobemadetothePlan.ThefinalBarkingandDagenhamPlanwillthen be adopted by the council during 2019. This is a decision taken by all Councillors at the Council Assembly.

TheCoreStrategyemphasisestheimportanceofprotectingtheborough’sparksandopenspacesthroughPolicyCM3:GreenBeltandOpenPublicSpaces.ThispromotestheideaofagreenerBarkingandDagenhamthrough:

• Protectingpublicopenspace.• Creatingpublicopenspaceandimprovingprovisioninareasofdeficiency.• SupportingtheimplementationoftheEastLondonGreenGrid,theBlue

Ribbon Network, and the Barking and Dagenham Landscape Framework Plan.

• Protectingandmaintaininginaccordancewithnationalpolicy,BarkingandDagenham’sGreenBelt.

• Safeguarding Barking Park, Parsloes Park and Mayesbrook Park, which havebeendesignatedasMetropolitanOpenLand,frominappropriatedevelopmentandaffordingthesesitesthesamelevelofprotectionastheGreen Belt.

• Identifyinganumberoflocalpublicopenspacesforprotection.TheSiteSpecificAllocationsDPDwillreviewthesedesignationsandconfirmwhatlocal public open spaces are to be designated as District Parks, Local Parks andOpenSpacesandSmallOpenSpacesinaccordancewiththeLondonPlan’spublicopenspacehierarchy.

• Theprovisionofpublicopenspace,whereappropriate,withnewdevelopments,ordevelopercontributionstowardsoff-siteprovisionofpublicopenspaceand/orimprovementofexistingspaces.

Astrategicreviewoflocalpublicopenspacehasbeenconductedtotakeintoaccountofthecouncil’sParksandOpenSpacesStrategy(2003).ThisworkhasinformedtheSiteSpecificAllocations(DPD).Thisworkwillalsoenablethecouncil’smapsofopenspacedeficiencytobeupdatedinlinewiththeLondonPlanpublicopenspacehierarchy.TheSiteSpecificAllocations(DPD)willconfirmwhichofBarkingandDagenham’slocalpublicopenspacesfallwithintheLondonPlan’sdistrictparks,localparksandopenspaces,smallopenspaces,pocketparksandlinearopenspacesclassifications.

InrespectofGreenBeltthePolicystatesthattheprotectionaffordedtotheGreenBeltandMetropolitanOpenLandisconsistent(respectively)withPlanningPolicyGuidance2(PPG2)andtheLondonPlan.

PolicyCR2:Preservingandenhancingthenaturalenvironment,seeksto’preserveandenhancetheborough’snaturalenvironment,includingallsitesofecologicalorgeologicalvalue(whetherornottheyhavestatutoryprotection)and all protected or priority species.

Thecouncilwillencouragedevelopmentthatenhancesexistingsitesandhabitatsofnatureconservationvalue(includingstrategicwildlifeandrivercorridors),orwhichprovidenewones,inparticularwherethiswillhelpmeettheobjectivesoftheLocalBiodiversityActionPlanforBarkingandDagenham.Improvingpublicaccesstoexistingnatureconservationsiteswillalsobeencouraged.

DevelopmentswhichwouldcausesignificantdamagetoaSiteofMetropolitanorBoroughImportanceforNatureConservation,orthepopulation(orconservationstatusof)aprotectedorpriorityspecieswillnotnormallybegranted.Exceptionsmaybeconsideredwheretheeconomicorsocialbenefitsoftheproposeddevelopmentwouldoutweighthenatureconservationvalue.’3

Protectingandimprovingtheborough’snaturalenvironmentcontributestothecommunitypriorityof‘MakingBarkingandDagenhamcleaner,greenerandsafer’.

TheLocalPlanDevelopmentManagementPolicies(DMP)setsouttheborough-wideplanningpoliciesthatimplementtheCoreStrategyandthepolicybasisfordeliveringthelong-termspatialvisionandstrategicplacemakingobjectivesinBarkingandDagenhamwhicharesetoutintheCore Strategy.

TheDMPincludesasectiononplayspacethatsuggeststhat‘there is an existing deficit of play provision for children and young people in a number of wards and that with projected population increases it is paramount that these shortages are addressed as new development comes on board’.TheDPDprovidesindicativestandardsofprovisionestablishedbytheBarkingandDagenhamPlayingPitchandOutdoorSportsFacilitiesStrategy.Theseare:

a) PlayingPitches:0.75haofplayingpitchesper1,000peopleb)Multi-UseGamesAreas:oneMUGAper1,500under16’sc)TennisCourts:onetenniscourtper2,50010to45yearoldsd)BowlingGreens:onebowlinggreenper9,500over40’s4

The Barking Town Centre Area Action PlanTheBarkingTownCentreAreaActionPlanformspartoftheLDFandsetsoutguidelinesthatdevelopersmustfollowiftheywanttodeveloplandinBarking Town Centre, designated a major centre in the London Plan. It is also at the heart of East London, a major transport centre minutes from the City andpivotaltothewiderregenerationoftheThamesGatewayandthepolicyaspirationsoftheLondonThamesGatewayDevelopmentCorporation.


ReferringtoParksandOpenSpaces,theAAPhighlightsthefollowing:

• Although there are many grassed amenity areas within housing estates in the town centre, the plan area contains few parks and public open spaces. Consequently,therearesignificantareaswithdeficientaccesstolocalparks.

• Aswellasaneedtoprovideadditionalparksandopenspacestoremedythisdeficiency,therearequalitativeissuesintermsoffacilitiesandenvironmentalqualityabouttheconditionofmanyoftheexistingparksand open spaces in the AAP area.

• Abbey Green is the most central open space in the town centre, it contains keyheritagesitesandbuildingsandisoccasionallyusedformajorevents.However,itisanunder-exploitedresourcewithalmostnoprovisionofamenitiessuchasseatingareas,sportsspacesorplayareasforchildren.

• Although not open space in the usual sense of the word, the publicly accessiblebanksoftheRiverRodingofferverysignificantopportunitiesforinformalleisuretothelocalpopulation.SiteswithfrontagestotheRiverRodingarelikelytobebroughtforwardfordevelopmentduringtheplan period and it will be important that the AAP secures enhancements tothecontinuityandthequalityofriversideareasratherthanallowingdevelopmentstodisruptpublicaccessandthusreduceaccesstoinformalleisure

OneoftheeightkeyobjectivesoftheAAPisto:

• Protectandimprovetheaccessibility,connectivityandqualityofparks,play areas and open spaces within and outside the town centre such as Abbey Green at the heart of the town centre and Barking Park which is ontheedge.ToalsoopenupthefrontagesoftheRiverRodinganditscorridorandseekopportunitiestoenhancebiodiversityasidentifiedintheBarkingandDagenhamBiodiversityActionPlan.5

1.2 BARKING AND DAGENHAM’S CORPORATE STRATEGIES

Ourvisionandprioritiesrepresentasharedunderstandingofwhatwe’reseekingtoachievefortheborough.Theysetoutourroleinplaceshapingandenablingcommunityleadershipwithinthecontextofasignificantlyreducingbudget.Theyhavebeendevelopedtoreflectthechangingrelationshipbetweenthecouncil,partnersandthecommunity.Ourvisionfortheborough:Oneborough;onecommunity;London’sgrowthopportunity

Encouraging civic pride• Build pride, respect and cohesion across our borough.• Promote a welcoming, safe, and resilient community.• Buildcivicresponsibilityandhelpresidentsshapetheirqualityoflife.• Promote and protect our green and public open spaces.• Narrowthegapinattainmentandrealisehighaspirationsforeverychild.

Enabling social responsibility• Supportresidentstotakeresponsibilityforthemselves,theirhomesand

their community.• Protectthemostvulnerable,keepingadultsandchildrenhealthyandsafe.• Ensureeveryonecanaccessgoodqualityhealthcarewhentheyneedit.• Ensurechildrenandyoungpeoplearewell-educatedandrealisetheir

potential.• Fullyintegrateservicesforvulnerablechildren,youngpeopleandfamilies.

Growing the borough• Build high quality homes and a sustainable community.• Developalocal,skilledworkforceandimproveemploymentopportunities.• Supportinvestmentinhousing,leisure,thecreativeindustriesandpublic

spacestoenhanceourenvironment.• WorkwithLondonpartnerstodeliverhomesandjobsacrossourgrowth

hubs.• Enhancetheborough’simagetoattractinvestmentandbusinessgrowth.

Well run organisation

• Adigitalcouncil,withappropriateservicesdeliveredonline.• Promoteequalitiesintheworkforceandcommunity.• Implement a smarter working programme, making best use of

accommodationandIT.• AllowingMembersandstafftoworkflexiblytosupportthecommunity.• Continuetomanagefinancesefficiently,lookingforwaystomakesavings,

generate income.• Beinnovativeinservicedelivery6.

Sport and Physical Activity StrategyWithreferencetoPolicyBC5:SportsStandards,thecouncilwillresistdevelopmentproposalswhichinvolvethelossofexistingpitchandoutdoorsportsfacilitiesintheborough,unlessreplacementfacilitiesareprovidedtothecouncil’ssatisfactionwithinthedevelopmentorintheimmediatevicinity.

Thecouncilwillalsoensurethatnewpitchandoutdoorsportsfacilitiesareprovidedtoaccommodatepopulationgrowthby:

• Requiringallproposalsforstrategicresidentialdevelopmenttobeaccompaniedbyanassessmentoftheneedforadditionalsportsprovision.

• Requiringanyidentifiedneedtobemetthroughtheprovisionoffinancialcontributionsand/oradditionalsportsprovisionaspartofthedevelopmentscheme.

Whereitisnotpossibletoprovideadditionalprovisionaspartofthedevelopmentschemeorincloseproximity,asuitablealternativeinanaccessiblelocationmaybeacceptable.

Inassessingneed,thefollowingshouldbetakenintoaccount:IndicativestandardsofprovisionestablishedbytheBarkingandDagenhamPlayingPitchandOutdoorSportsFacilitiesStrategy:

a)PlayingPitches:0.75haofplayingpitchesper1,000peopleb)Multi-UseGamesAreas:oneMUGAper1,500under16’sc)TennisCourts:onetenniscourtper2,50010to45yearoldsd)BowlingGreens:onebowlinggreenper9,500over40’s

• Existingprovisionorshortageofsportsfacilitieswithinthevicinityoftheproposeddevelopment.

• Existingprovisionorshortageofparksandopenspace(forinformalrecreationopportunities)withinthevicinityoftheproposeddevelopment.

• Projectedpopulationprofileoftheproposeddevelopment.

Thispolicyfitsinwithnational,regionalandlocallegislation.ByadoptingtherecommendationsoftheLondonBoroughofBarkingandDagenhamPlayingPitchandOutdoorSportsFacilitiesStrategy(2005),thepolicywillhelpensurethatprovisionofsportsfacilitiesisconsideredinrelationtonewandexistingcommunities.

TheCommunityBenefitsSPDwilllookathowsportsprovisionfromdevelopmentcanbemaximised.SportEnglandguidanceonhowtodeveloplocallyrelevantcriteriaforsportsprovisionisavailableandwillinformtheSPD.7

AsportandphysicalactivitystrategyforBarking&Dagenham2012–2015hasbeendevelopedwithanumberofkeypartnerstoprovideaframeworkthatwillenableandencouragemorepeopletobemoreactive,moreoften.Thisstrategyaimstoincreasethelevelofparticipationinsportandphysicalactivityintheboroughthroughthedevelopmentofawiderangeofopportunities,whicharefarbroaderthantraditionalsportingactivities.


Toachievethisaim,willneedaradicalchangeinbehaviourandtodothiseveryoneinvolvedindeliveringsportandphysicalactivityinitiativesneedstofocuseffortonwhereitwillhavethebiggestimpact.Thekeyoutcomesfromthedeliveryofthisstrategyin2015willbe:

• 5,600moreadultswillbeparticipatingregularlyinsportandphysicalactivity,anincreaseof3%..

• Leisurecentrevisitswillhaveincreasedby40%to1.25millionperyear.• Thepercentageof5to16yearoldsparticipatinginthreehoursormore

PEandsporteachweekwillhaverisenby5%to58%-performancemeasure to be changed in line with new Sport England strategy targets.

• The%ofadultresidentswhoareregularsportsvolunteerswillhaveincreasedby1%to3.2%.

• Satisfactionwithsportandleisurefacilitiesintheboroughwillhaveincreasedby15%to69%.

• Satisfactionwithparksandopenspaceswillhaveincreasedby5%to71%.• No.ofcoachesintheborough(UKcoachingcertificatelevel2andabove

orequivalent)benchmarkandtargetstobeconfirmed.• Betterqualityandmoreaccessibleclubs:13moreClubMarkaccredited

and24achievingtheboroughstandard.• Increaseinparticipationinphysicalactivitybytargetgroups–leisure

passmembers:Over60;Unemployed(claimingJobSeeker’sAllowance);NEETS;LookedAfterChildren;Students(over16andinfulltimeeducation);Claimingincomesupportorhousingbenefit;registeredcarer(benchmarkandtargettobeconfirmed).

• 20%ofresidentsaged60–85willhaveActiveLeisurememberships(anincreaseof100%).

• Increaseinopportunitiesfordisabledpeopletoparticipateinsport:15localsportsclubsofferinginclusiveactivityprogrammes.OpenanewsportscentreinBarkingtowncentre(byspring2014).

• 14.8%ofadultsinBarkingandDagenhamtakepartinsportandactiverecreationcomparedtothenationalaverageof22%.

However,58.2%ofadultsdonosportoractiverecreation,and59.7%ofadultresidents in Barking and Dagenham want to start playing sport or do a bit more.

• 2.2%ofadultresidentsareregularsportsvolunteerscomparedtothenationalaverageof4.5%.

• 15.6%aremembersofsportsclubs,comparedto23.9%nationally.• 62.5%aresatisfiedwithsportingprovisionintheboroughcomparedto

69%nationally.

Ourmostpopularsportsforadultsareswimming,goingtothegym,football,athleticsandaerobics8

TheBarkingandDagenhamPlayStrategy2014identifiesprioritywardswithadeficitofplayprovision.Theseare:Priority1-Becontree,Eastbury,Priority2–ParsloesandWhalebone,Priority3–Eastbrookqualityoutdoornaturalplayspaceswithinprioritisedwards,parksandhousingestates.

Therewerefearsrelatedtopersonalsafetywhichinfluencedparents,childrenandyoungpeople’sdecisionsaboutplayingoutsidetheirhomesandneighbourhoods.Issuesofbullying,strangers,loosedogs,trafficandlightinginparkswerementionedrepeatedly.Thestrategyrecommendsthecreationoflocallysupervisedweretocreatelocalsupervisedactivities,moreparkkeepersandpolice,saferroads,morefacilitiesandactivitiesthatareinteresting,challenging and changing.

Children,youngpeopleandtheirparentsconsistentlyvoicedtheirdesireforsupervisedfreeplayinparksandintheplaceswherechildrenlive.

Meetingtheseneedsrequiresaccesstonaturalenvironments,wildlifeandthe less formal areas of green spaces and parks. To respond to the lack of play spacesincertainlocalitiesitmaybethatpiecesofundevelopedland,acornerofarecreationalground,park,woodorstreamcouldbesetasideforinformalwoodlandplayopportunitieswherenaturalmaterialssuchasrocks,fallentrees,branches,bushesandleavesetcareavailable.9

Joint Health and Wellbeing StrategyThis2015refreshofBarkingandDagenham’sJointHealthandWellbeingStrategyoutlinestheborough’stopprioritiesforimprovingthehealthandwellbeingofallthepeoplewholiveandworkinBarkingandDagenham.TheStrategysetsoutavisionforimprovingthehealthandwellbeingofresidentsandreducinginequalitiesateverystageofpeople’slivesby2018.Thiswillbeachievedby‘startingwell’,‘livingwell’and‘ageingwell’.

Therehavebeensignificantchangestothedemographicsofthepopulationinthelastdecade,mostnoticeablyanincreaseinthenumbersofpeoplelivingintheborough,averyhighbirthrateandincreaseinproportionofthepopulationfromblackandminorityethnic(BAME)communities.Theborough’spopulationisgrowingatafasterpacethanthatofLondonandofEnglandasawhole.Overtwothirdsofadultsintheboroughareoverweightwithonly15%ofadultsparticipatinginregularexercise.45%exerciseforatleast30minutesonceperweekand15%exerciseatleast5timesperweek.Therearealsolowutilisationratesoftheborough’sgreenspaces.

TheoutcomestargetedwithintheStrategyare:

• ToincreasethelifeexpectancyofpeoplelivinginBarkingandDagenham.• To close the gap between the life expectancy in Barking and Dagenham

withtheLondonaverage.• Toimprovehealthandsocialcareoutcomesthroughintegratedservices.10

Waste StrategyIn2014/15,theLondonBoroughofBarkingandDagenham(LBBD)producedjustunder90,000tonnesofwaste.Thismeans,onaverage,eachoftheborough’shouseholdsthrewawayapproximatelyonetonne(953kg)ofresidualwaste.Asaresult,BarkingandDagenhamhasthehighestlevelofwasteproductionperhouseholdinLondon.Thisis50kgmoreperhouseholdthan our closest performing borough.

InadditiontoproducingthehighestvolumeofresidualwasteofalltheLondonboroughsperhousehold,LBBDwasrankedinthebottomquartileoftheLondonboroughsforrecyclingperformancein2014/15at23%.Thisislessthanhalftherecyclingrateofthetop-performingboroughofBexleyat54%.

BarkingandDagenhamWasteStrategyVisionfor2020states:‘We want to reduce waste, increase re-use, increase recycling and provide effective, efficient and customer-focused waste services that demonstrate value for money.’Toachievethevisionasignificantbehaviouralchangetowardswastemanagementisessential.Thiswillbesupportedandfacilitatedbythenew‘InsightandIntelligence’function,toidentifythebestapproachforthecouncilto educate, encourage and enforce our Reduce, Reuse and Recycle message.11


1.3 BENCHMARKS AND STANDARDSTheOpenSpacesStrategywillbeinformedbynational,regionalandlocalstandardsinrespectoftheprovisionofparksandopenspaces.

London Open Space HierarchyTheLondonPlan(2015)establishesahierarchyforopenspaceprovisionacrossthe borough, establishing a typology for open space and standards in respect of accessibility(Fig.1.1).

GLA Supplementary Planning GuidanceTheGLASupplementaryPlanningGuidance(GreaterLondonAuthority2012)istheprincipalpointofreferenceforplayandinformalrecreationinLondon.

This SPG puts forward a hierarchical typology of play spaces. The key features aresetoutinTable1(Fig.1.2)

Play England Quality Assessment ToolThePlayableSpaceQualityAssessmentTool(PlayEngland2009),developedaspartofthe2008NationalPlayStrategy,includesbroadcriteriaaroundlocation,playvalueandcareandmaintenance.IthasbeenusedinLBBDtoassessplayprovision,mostrecentlyin2015.

Best Practice GuidanceThedevelopmentoftheOpenSpacesStrategyhasbeeninformedbyanumberofbestpracticeguidancedocumentsdevelopedoverthepast15years.

Green Spaces, Better Places – the report of the Urban Greenspaces Taskforce (2002)The‘GreenSpacesBetterPlaces’reportwastheworkoftheUrbanGreenspacesTaskforce,commissionedbyHMGovernmenttoconsidertheroleofparksandopenspacesindefiningthequalityofurbanlife.Thereportconsideredthefunctionsperformedbyparksincreatingliveablecitiesandsustainablecommunitiesandthechallengesfacingthesectorintermsof

quality and management. The report proposed the central role that good quality parks and open spaces play in the urban renaissance.

CABE Space publicationsCABESpacewascreatedin2003asadirectconsequenceofthe‘GreenSpacesBetterPlaces’reportandfunctionedasaresearchandbestpracticedevelopmentorganisationthroughits‘enabling’and‘designreview’programmes.CABESpaceproducedseveralkeypublicationsthatarepertinenttothedevelopmentofthisStrategy:

• ‘OpenSpaceStrategies–BestPracticeandGuidance’(2008-producedjointlywiththeMayorofLondon).Thisdocumentsetsoutastandardforthepreparationofopenspacestrategiesbylocalauthorities.

• ‘DoesMoneyGrowonTrees’(2005).Thisguidancesetsoutnewapproachestoassessingtheeconomicvaluecontributedbyparksandopen spaces.

• ‘Makingtheinvisiblevisible–thetruevalueofparksassets’(2009)focusedonproviding‘animprovedunderstandingofthecurrentvalueofparkandgreenspaceassetsasanimportantfirststepinbetterstrategicmanagementandinassistinglocalauthoritiesinusingtheirassetstomakeapositivedifferencetocommunities’.

Doorstep Playable Space Local Playable Space Neighbourhood Playable Space Youth SpaceDescription A landscaped space

including engaging play features for young children, and places for carers to sit and talk.

Parental/guardiansupervision

A landscaped space with landscaping and equipment so that children aged from birth to 11 can play and be physicallyactiveandtheyandtheir carers can sit and talk.

Flexible use

Noformalsupervision

Avariednaturalspacewithsecludedand open areas, landscaping and equipment so that children aged from birth to 11 can play and be physically activeandtheyandtheircarerscansitandtalk,withsomeyouthfacilities.

Flexible use

May include youth space

Maybesupervised

Social space for young people aged 12andovertomeet,hangoutandtake part in informal sport or physical recreationalactivities.

Noformalsupervision

Minimum Size

100 sq m 300 sq m 500 sq m 200 sq m

Accessibility threshold

100m 400m 800m 800m

Age Group 0-5 5-11 All ages 12+Location •Residentialareas

including housing estates

• Pocket Parks

• Public Squares

•Residentialareasincludinghousing estates

• Local Parks

•Largerresidentialareasandhousingestates

• Local Parks

• District Parks

• School playgrounds

•Largerresidentialareasandhousingestates

•Adjacenttocommunityfacilities

• Local Parks

• District Parks

• Town centres

Table 1: GLA SPG playable space typology

Fig.1.2-Table1:GLASPGplayablespacetypology

Fig.1.1-LondonPublicOpenSpaceCategorisation(Source:LondonPlan2016)


Green FlagSince1996the‘GreenFlag’awardhasbeenthenationalstandardforgreenspaceexcellenceacrosstheUK.‘GreenFlag-raisingthestandard’(2004)isthemanualthatprovidesguidancetolocalauthoritiesandotherlandmanagers on the award criteria and judging process. Barking and Dagenham has 6 Green Flag Award open spaces.

‘Re-thinking Parks - exploring new business models for parks in the 21st century’ThisstudybyPeterNealwascommissionedbyNESTA,theHeritageLotteryFundandBigLotterytoconsidernewfundingandgovernancemodelsforparksinthelightofthefinancialconstraintsunderwhichlocalauthoritiesareoperatingintheausterityeconomy.ThereportconsiderednewapproachestomanagementandfinancebasedonexamplesfromacrosstheUKandoverseas.

A ‘Re-thinking Parks’ pilot projectsAspartoftheRe-thinkingParksproject,NESTAhascommissioned11pilotprojects looking at new approaches to the management and funding of parks andopenspaces:

• ‘BloomsburySquared’;aprojectintheLondonBoroughofCamdentoworkwithlocalresidentsandbusinessestofundBloomsbury’ssquares.

• ‘Endowingparksforthe21stcentury’;aprojectledbytheNationalTrustthat is considering how to build endowments for public parks based aroundhealthandecosystembenefits,publicgivingand21stcenturyphilanthropy.

• ‘ParkHack’–Hackney;aprojecttolookatincomegenerationinparksthrough engagement with the digital economy.

• ‘CoastalParksandGardensFoundation’;aprojectinBournemouthtousepublicgivingtosupportfuturemanagementofparksinthecity.

• ‘EvertonPark,Liverpool’;ajointventurebetweentheLandTrustandLiverpoolCitycounciltotransfertheparktoLandTrustmanagement.

• ‘Gotothepark’,Burnley;ajointventurebetweenBurnleyCouncilandalocalsocialenterpriselookingatnewwaysofgeneratingrevenuedirectlyfrom parks.

• ‘MyPark’,Scotland;thisprojectislookingattheuseofdigitaltechnologiestofacilitateprivategivingtolocalparks.

• ‘EastbrookendRekindled’;aprojecttopilotthere-locationofpublicserviceofferstoparksasameansofgeneratingrevenueanddiversifyinguse.

• ‘DarlingtonRe-thinkingparks’;GroundworkareworkingwithDarlingtonCouncilandotherstoassessthepotentialofcorporategiving,tosustainlocal parks.

• ‘Parkwork’Bristol;aprojecttoconsiderthecapacityofparkstoprovidetrainingintoworkopportunitiesforlocalpeoplelivingindifficultcircumstanceswhileimprovingoverallmanagementandmaintenance.

• ‘HeeleyParkSubscriptionSociety’,Sheffield;aprojecttoattractprivategivingbyofferingadditionalleisureopportunitiesatHeeleyParkoverandabovethefreefacilities.

Theseprojectsranoveran18monthperiodfromthesummerof2014..

Third Report of the Natural Capital CommitteeTheNaturalCapitalCommitteewasappointedbygovernmentin2011withabroadobjectivethatthisgenerationshould‘be the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than it inherited.’12

WorkoftheCommitteehasbeenfocusedontheproductionofthreereports.Thefirsttworeportssetoutthemethodological,measurementandreportingframeworks,theaccountingprinciplesandtheirapplicationtonationalandcorporateaccounts,theincorporationofnaturalcapitalintoproject appraisals, and the research agenda. Included within these reports is a proposedmethodologyforassessingthevalueofnaturalassetsandreleasingthisvaluetosustaintheseassetsovertime.

Thethirdreportproposeswhatgovernmentwillneedtodoifitistofulfilitsambitiousobjectiveofimprovingtheenvironment.Aprincipalelementofthereport is a call for the establishment of a clear plan to enhance natural capital, focussingonthoseareaswiththehighesteconomicbenefits.

Design for PlayThisguidepreparedbyPlayEnglandin2008isintendedtoinformthecreationofoutdoorplayspaceto‘support children’s capacity for adventure and imagination, their fundamental need for exercise and social interaction and their innate sense of fun’13. It is also aimed at those responsible for the wider publicrealm,demonstratingthatwell-usedandwell-lovedplacestoplaywilloftenbeintegratedwithinthecohesivedesignofwidercommunityspace.

Other studiesAnumberofotherbest-practicedocumentshavealsoinformedtheStrategy:

‘TheStateofUKParks’(HLF:2014and2016)examinestheoverallconditionsofparksintheUKwithaparticularfocusonparksandopenspacesinwhichtheHLFhasinvestedoverthepast25years.

• ‘GreenSociety–policiestoimprovetheUK’surbangreenspaces’(PolicyExchange;2014)considerscurrentandfutureapproachestothefundingof parks and open spaces.

• ‘CitiesAlive-re-thinkinggreeninfrastructure’(Arup;2014)considerstheimportanceofecosystemsandproposesgreeninfrastructure-leddesignforcities.

• ‘Placestobe-greenspacesforactivecitizenship’(FabianSociety;2015)considershowgovernmentandcommunitiescaninfluencetheevolutionof thinking on the future management of parks and green spaces.

NOTES1 TheLondonPlan(March2016)

http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/the_london_plan_malp_final_for_web_0606_0.pdf

2 GLAGreeninfrastructureandopenenvironments:theAllLondonGreenGridSPD–2012https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/algg_spg_mar2012.pdf

3 LocalDevelopmentFramework/CoreStrategy(AdoptedJuly2010)Planning for the future of Barking and Dagenhamhttps://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Adopted-Core-Strategy.pdf

4 BoroughWideDevelopmentPolicies/DevelopmentPlanDocument(AdoptedMarch2011)PlanningforthefutureofBarkingandDagenhamhttps://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Borough-Wide-Development-Policies-DPD.pdf

5 BarkingTownCentreAreaActionPlan(DPD)(2011)https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Barking-Town-Centre-Area-Action-Plan-DPD.pdf

6 Corporate Plan 2016https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/CorporatePlan2016_D5.pdf

7 BoroughWideDevelopmentPolicies/DevelopmentPlanDocument(AdoptedMarch2011)PlanningforthefutureofBarkingandDagenhamhttps://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Borough-Wide-Development-Policies-DPD.pdf

8 AsportandphysicalactivitystrategyforBarking&Dagenhamhttp://moderngov.lbbd.gov.uk/documents/s55581/Sport%20Strategy%20App.%201.pdf

9 LondonBoroughofBarkingandDagenhamIntegratedFamilyServicesdivisionPlayStrategyhttps://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/PlayStrategy-1.pdf

10 BarkingandDagenhamJointHealthandWellbeingStrategy2015-2018https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/JHWS_A4_30-9-15_RF.pdf

11 WasteStrategyReport-App.1(DraftStrategy)http://moderngov.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/documents/s105590/ Waste%20Strategy%20Report%20-%20App.%201%20Draft%2Strategy.pdf

12 NCCFinalAdvicetogovernment:September2015

13 PlayEngland:MakingSpaceforPlay(2008):page8


BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS 2

2.1 STRATEGIC CONTEXT The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is situated on the North bank oftheRiverThamestotheEastofLondon,justninemilesfromthecentreofLondon and close to the border with Essex and the countryside beyond . The boroughhasapopulationof206,056andatotallandareaof3,419hectares.The borough lies between three other London boroughs. To the north is the LondonBoroughRedbridge,totheeastistheLondonBoroughofHaveringandtothewestistheLondonBoroughofNewham.Theborough’ssouthernboundaryistheRiverThames.

BarkingandDagenham’seasternedgehasachainofnaturalandsemi-naturalgreenspaceseffect,enhancedfurtherbythepresenceofthegreenbelt.TheseareformedofBeamValleyCountryPark,ChaseLocalNatureReserveand Eastbrookend Country Park.

Whilst not an edge borough, Barking and Dagenham is an outer borough on theeasternsideofLondon,andassuch,manyofitstransportconnectionsare‘spokes’whichconnectcentralLondonwiththetownsandvillagesinEssex,beyondtheborough.Theroadandrailinfrastructureforthese‘spokes’hasasignificantimpactonconnectionsandintegrationwithintheborough.TheraillinesoftheC2CLondontoSouthendline,theDistrictLineandtheShenfieldlinerunningthroughChadwellHeathallcreatebarrierstonorth-southmovementbycars,bicyclesandpeople.Similarly,theA12andA13strategicroadsservecarswell,butpreventintegrationbetweenneighbourhoodsthatsittothenorthandsouthoftheseroutesandhindermovementbybicycleandonfoot.TheseimpactscanbeseenparticularlyatMarks’Gateinthenorthoftheborough,wheretheA12seversthecommunityfromChadwellHeath,andatBarkingRiversideandDagenhamRiversideinthesouthoftheborough, where the A13 creates an island.

Barking and Dagenham has a number of urban parks and gardens distributed acrosstheborough.Theseserveasimportantamenityspacesforresidentsandofferarangeofactivitiesandservices.Mostsitbetweenneighbourhoodsandplayanimportantroleinbringingdifferentcommunitiestogetherandprovidingareasofsocialinteraction.WhenassessedagainsttheGLA’sOpenSpacestandards,theborough’samenityspacesarewellplacedandwithinsuitablewalkingdistancesforthemajorityofthepopulation,howeverthereare pockets in the north and in the south where there is a shortage of amenity spaces within suitable walking distances.14

Parks and open spaces assessment areasInassessingthelevelofprovision,qualityandvalueofparksandopenspacesinBarkingandDagenhamandinpreparingActionPlans,thisstrategydependsuponanalysisatthreedifferentgeographicallevels:

• Borough-wideassessment;thestrategyassessestheborough’scurrentportfolioandtheresourcingofcurrentserviceprovisiononaborough-wide basis, allowing for comparison with other London boroughs

• Regionalassessment;BarkingandDagenhamissub-dividedintothreesub-regionswhichreflecthealthinequalitieswithintheborough.Thisstrategyconsiderslevelsofprovisionandassessmentsofqualityandaccessibilityatthislevel,allowingforcomparisonbetweenregionswithinthe borough.

• Wardassessment:TheWardistheconstituencyunitforlocalgovernmentandthisstrategyconsiderslevelsofprovisionandassessmentsofquality,valueallowingforcomparisonbetweenWards.


2.2 TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, HABITATSTopographyBarking and Dagenham lies on the eastern edge of the Thames Basin and thetopographyoftheareaischaracterisedbygentleundulationsshelvingsteadilytothesouthandthevalleyoftheThames.ThevalleysoftheRiverRoddingalongthewesternedgeoftheborough,andBeamRiverwhichrunsalmostthelengthoftheeasternedgeoftheborough,bothconvergeontheRiverThames.Asmallplateautothenorthoftheborough,withinMarksGate,marksthehighestpointat32-36mAOD.

GeologyInformationpublishedbytheBritishGeologicalSocietyinSheet257–“Romford”(1:50,000series)showsthatmostoftheboroughisdirectlyunderlainbythevariousriverterracesoftheThamesandRoding,includingtheFloodPlainGravel,TaplowGravelandBoynHillGravel.Brickearthisshownoverlyingthesedepositsinsomeareas.Riverterracedepositsareshowntobescantyanddiscontinuoustowardsthenorthoftheborough(aroundLittleHeath,ChadwellHeathandMarks’sGate)andmuchofthisareaisdirectlyunderlainbythesolidgeologyoftheEocene:LondonClay.Younger(Holocene)alluviumdirectlyunderliestheboroughonlowerground,nexttomajorrivers,inparticulartheRiverRodingandRiverBeam.Amoreextensivecoverofalluviumoccurstothesouthoftheborough,alongtheRiverThames.

Inmostcasesthegeologyoftheboroughconsistsofthefollowing:

• Made ground• Alluvium(clayandsilt,withsomepeat)• Thamesgravels• LondonClay–whichvariesinthicknessacrosstheborough• Typesofrocksthatcomposethesolidgeologyoftheborough:• Woolwich and Reading Beds• Thanet sands • Chalk.

Extensivegravelextractionhas,andcontinuestooccur,intheborough.Wheregravelwinningshavebeenundertakenmanyofthegravelpitshavebeeninfilledwithwaste.Thesemakeupmostoftheboroughslandfillsites.However,insomecasesthegravelpitshavenotbeeninfilledandnowmakeattractivewaterfeatures,suchasthosefoundatEastbrookendCountryPark.Soiltypeisanimportantinfluenceonlanduse,vegetationcoverand,intermsofgeomorphology,thesedimentdeliverywithintheborough.Thesoiltypes of the borough are such that they are dominated by clay based soils. These include well drained and slowly permeable calcareous clayey soils and associated brown earth. The clayey geology can create waterlogged soils but there is a small risk of water erosion due to the dominance of clay soil.15

Fig.2.1 - Geology map of Barking and Dagenham


HabitatsThe London Borough of Barking and Dagenham features a wide range of habitatsthathavebeeninfluencedbytheunderlyinglandscapeandbyhumanactivities.Industryandhousinginthe20thcenturyshapedlargepartsoftheborough.TheRippleNatureReserveisagoodexampleofhowbiodiversitycanrecoverandthriveonabrownfieldsite.Intheeastoftheborough,EastbrookendCountryParkhasbeencreatedonalandfillandquarrysite.Themosaicofwater,scrub,woodlandandgrasslandprovidesidealconditionsforwildlife.

TheLondonRegionalLandscapeFramework(May2009)hasbeendevelopedby Natural England and sets out the main landscape character types for London. There are four landscape character types within Barking and Dagenham:EssexPlateau–Mosaicsofancientwoodland,woodpastureandacidgrassland,withintheformerroyalhunting„forests”atEppingForestandHavering.NorthThamesTerraces–Flat,opengrassland,steppingupfromtheThames, with narrow sinuous strips of woodland marking the alignment of tributary creeks. Examples include Mayesbrook Park, Romford Line railsides andTheChase.LowerThamesFloodplain–avast,flatriversidezoneofgrazedsaltmarshesgradingtoreedswamp,mudflatsandthewidetidalThames,themoststrikingandimmediatelyvisiblenaturalelementinLondon.ExamplesincludetheGoresbrook,theRippleNatureReserveandBarkingCreek.RodingRiverValley–thenarrow,sinuouscourseoftheupperRodingwheretheriverbanksarelinedwithwillows

Three of the four borough boundaries are watercourses. To the East is the RiverRoding,totheWestistheRiverBeamandtotheSouthistheRiverThames.Theseareclassifiedasmainrivers.InadditiontothistheboroughhassomefurthermainriverssuchastheRiversMayesbrook,GoresbrookandWantz.InformationsuppliedbytheEAshowsthattheGeneralWaterQualityfortheRiverRodingis“D”,asistheRiverBeam,withtheRiverThamesaClass“B”.Itismostlikelythatriverqualitywillbeimpactedbythecatchmentupstreamoftheborough–adifficultareatoassessintermsofpollutersetc.TheEnvironmentAgency’sdatabroadlydividesriversinto“reaches”whichdonot correspond to borough boundaries. The borough has no major aquifers withinitsboundaryandisdesignatedas“minoraquifer”or“non-aquifer”.16

2.3 SETTLEMENT PATTERNSUntilthe19thCentury,theboroughwaspredominantlyrural,dominatedbyagricultural uses, constrained in the north by Hainault Forest and in the south bytheRiverThames,inthewestbytheRiverRodingandtotheeastbytheRiverBeam.

In1875,Dagenhamwasasmallvillagesurroundedbyfarmsteadsandheathland with a church, a school, almshouses and a number of wells. The mainroadsconnectedDagenhamvillagewithParsloesManor,tothewest.Themanor,datingbacktothe1500s,hadbeenrenovatedin1819.TheLondon,TilburyandSouthendRailwaytothesouthofthevillageopenedin1854.

Inthe1920’sworkbeganontheBecontreeHousingEstateintheborough.Almost3000acresofland(1212hectares)wereusedtodevelopavarietyofterracedandsemi-detachedtwostoreydwellingsonanewgeometric

roadpattern,stretchingfromGoodmayestoChadwellHeathandDagenhamVillage.

ThedevelopmentoftheEstatecreatednewdemandsforemploymentintheboroughandledtotheestablishmentofheavyindustryatDagenhamMarshesalongtheRiverThamescorridor,andtheeventualdevelopmentofthe Ford Motor Plant in the south east of the borough. The Ford plant came to dominate the industrial landscape of the borough in the same way that the Becontree Estate had dominated the housing landscape.

By1933,anewbranchoftheLondon,TilburyandSouthendlinehadastationatDagenhamandresidentialstreetswereunderconstructiononthevillageoutskirts. Parsloes Manor had fallen into disrepair and been demolished, and ParsloesParkandTrottingGroundhadopened.Ahospitalhadbeendevelopedto the south of Dagenham.

By 1946 the Becontree Estate was complete and extended south of the rail line,coalescingwithDagenhamvillage.Anewstationhadbeenaddedtotherailline,westofDagenham,toservetheestate,andnewschoolshadbeenconstructed.FurtherresidentialdevelopmenttotheeastofDagenhamwasalso underway.

In 1959, Parsloes Park was formalised, and a lake added to the south westerncorner.Bythispoint,originalvillagebuildingsfromDagenhamhaddisappeared,beingreplacedbyresidentialandcommercialdevelopment.Carusage was increasing, and Ripple Road, to the south has been connected to an EastHamandBarkingbypass-inchingtowardswhatwouldbecometheA13.

ThepostwarperiodsawthedemolitionofhousesandfactoriesontheformerAbbey Green at Barking, and the building of the Abbey Retail Park opposite.

Thelate1960’sandearly1970’ssawtheconstructionofhighriseandotherhigh-densityestatesatvariouslocationsacrosstheborough.

Therehavebeenconsiderablechangesintenurepatternssince1981,largelyduetothe“righttobuy”legislation.Justoverhalfoftheboroughshouseholdswereowner-occupiersby1991.However,despitetheincreaseinowneroccupationBarkingandDagenhamhasthehighestproportionofhouseholdsrentingfromthelocalauthorityinouterLondon(43%comparedtoanaverage23%).Thehousingstockischaracterisedbyahighproportionofterracedhousing(63%)andhasoneofthelowestproportionsofflatsinLondon(27%).

Inconclusion,BarkingandDagenham’slandscape,andinparticularitsbuiltenvironment,hasevolvedcomparativelyrecently,andwhilstimportantareasofnaturalandsemi-naturallandscapesexist(notablyinthenorthandeastoftheborough),themajorityoftheboroughhasbeensubstantiallyshapedbyresidentialandindustrialdevelopment.17

2.4 DEMOGRAPHICS AND ETHNICITYBarkingandDagenhamisacomparativelyyoungborough,withamedianageeightyearsyoungerthantheUKasawhole,afarhigherproportionofchildrenandyoungpeoplethanUK-wide,andamuchsmallerproportionofpeopleovertheageof65.UK-wide,18%ofthepopulationis65orover(ONS,2015),whileinBarkingandDagenhamin2011,only10%ofthepopulationisinthisagegroup.OneinfourpeopleinBarkingandDagenhamisundertheageof14,whileLondon-widelessthatoneinfive(19%)peopleis15orunder.Overathirdofchildren(37%)intheboroughliveinpoverty.

Thepopulationisprojectedtocontinuegrowingbetweennowand2020.Thenumberofyoungpeoplebetween10-14yearsofageisexpectedtogrowbyover4,000andthisisthelargestgrowthofallthefiveyearagebands.Theproportionofmiddleagedpeoplebetween25yearsand40yearsofageisprojectedtogrowasaproportionofthewholepopulation.

Fig.2.2showsthepredictedchanges,byage-bandsfortheboroughbasedonthe2014TrendBasedShortTermprojectionsproducedbyTheGreaterLondonAuthority.Therehavebeenhighratesofgrowthinthewardsinthesouthwest of the borough.

Overthelast25years,BarkingandDagenhamhasseenadecreaseintheproportionofthosewhoidentifyaswhite.In1991,93%ofresidentsinBarkingandDagenhamidentifiedaswhiteandby2011,thatproportionhadfallento58%asthepopulationoftheboroughgrew.ThelargestBlackAsianandMinorityEthnic(BAME)groupinBarkingandDagenhamin2011werepeoplewhoidentifyasblack(Black/African/Caribbean/BlackBritish)at20%ofthetotalpopulation.77%ofresidentsinBarkingandDagenhamwhoidentifyasblack,identifyasBlackAfrican(15%ofthetotalpopulationoftheborough).

By2015,theannualpopulationsurveyestimatesthattheproportionofthosewhoidentifyas‘white’hasfallento47%.10%ofpeoplewhoidentifyaswhiteareforeign-born.Incontrast,themajority(53%)ofBMEresidentsinBarkingandDagenhamin2015werebornintheUK(Fig.2.3).

Fig.2.1-Populationbyageband(Source:B&D2011Census)


Self-reportedethnicityatthe2011Censusshowsthatwhilsttheboroughhasbecomefarmorediverseingeneral,particularareasarefavouredbydifferentethnicities.TheBecontreeEstate,RushGreenandRylandsEstateareasremainmorestronglyWhiteBritish.Barking,theLeftleyEstate,LongbridgeRoadareaandthewesternedgeoftheboroughhavestrongAsiancommunities.Withinthis,particularneighbourhoodsarepreferredbydifferentAsiangroups.Barkingtowncentre,particularlytheGascoigneEstate,andthesouthernresidentialareasoftheborough(northofthetraditionalindustrialareas)havestrongBlackAfricanandAfro-Caribbeancommunities.18

2.5 HEALTHBritain’scitiesareprincipallyVictoriancreationsandtheprovisionofcityparkswassignificantlyinfluencedbyaperceivedneedtoofferacounter-balancetothenegativeimpactofcitylifeonpersonalhealth.Today,manyofoururbancommunitiesarefacingsimilarsignificanthealthissues,largelyasaconsequenceofanageingpopulationandtheadoptionofamoresedentarylifestyle.

DEFRAhascalculatedthattheNHScouldsave£2.1billionperannumifparksandopenspaceinfrastructureencouragedpeopleintomoreactivelifestyles.19 Goodqualityparksandopenspacescanhaveasignificantimpactonsomeofthemostprevalentdiseasegroups–coronaryheartdisease,stroke,Type2diabetes and mental health.

Thesefindingsaresupportedbyempiricalresearch.PublichealthstudiesinHollandhavesuggestedthatthegreeningoftheenvironmentcanreduceannualhealthcarecostsacrosstheNetherlandsbyover€100million.Thisisachievedinpartthrougha15%reductioninobesity(contributing€8million)a10%reductionintheuseofanti-depressants(contributing€2millionanda10%reductionintheuseofdrugstocontrolADHDinchildren.20

Theoverallcapacityofparkstosupporthealthoutcomeswillreinforceoutcomesthataredeliveredthroughconventionalclinicalapproaches.ThisOpenSpacesStrategywilldemonstratehowparkscandevelopasplaceswherephysicalactivitycanbepromotedthroughtheprinciplesof‘activedesign’andbythecreationoflocalpartnershipstodeliverspecifichealthoutcomes.ThisapproachwillsupportthedeliveryofhealthoutcomesdevelopedintheSportsandPhysicalActivityandHealthandWellbeingstrategies .

16%ofallresidentsinBarkingandDagenhamhadalongtermhealthproblemordisabilityin2011,andhalfofthesewerelimited‘alot’intheirday-to-dayactivities.ThisislowerthaninHavering,(thisislikelytobeareflectionoftheolderpopulationinthatborough),buthigherthantheLondonaverageof14%.Notably,BarkingandDagenham’sresidentsseemtodeveloplong-termillnessdisabilitiesatayoungeragethansurroundingareas.16%of50-64year olds, had a disability or illness in 2011 that limited many of their daily activities,markedlyhigherthantheLondonandEnglandratesof11%.Datasuggeststhatitisfromaround50yearsthatresidents’healthdeclinesatafaster rate than is the case for other Londoners.

Spatially,the2011Censusidentifieshighernumbersofpeoplewithlongterm illness or disability in Barking and Dagenham. In 2015, the borough had significantlyhigherlevelsofchildandadultobesitythanbothregionaland

Fig.2.2-Populationchangessincelastcensus2001,2011and2013(Source:B&D2011Census)

Fig.2.3-Ethnicgroupprojections(Source:2013GLAEthnicGroupProjections)


TheproportionofresidentsinBarkingandDagenhamwithanNVQLevel4qualificationorabovehassurgedoverthepasttwodecades(thechangingageprofileaccentuatesthistrendasyoungergenerationsaremorelikelytohavehigherqualificationsthanolderpeople),butremainsbelowthelevelsforLondonasawhole.Peoplewithlowerlevelsofqualificationsaremorelikelytobeunemployedorlowpaidthanpeoplewithhigherqualifications.

ThismeansthatfacilitatingariseineducationalattainmentforchildrenandyoungadultsinBarkingandDagenham’syoungergenerationisoneofthekeysto a prosperous future for the borough. A well educated workforce will help attractthetargetknowledgeeconomyindustriesthathavebeenidentifiedasdesirable by the borough.26

TheTownscapeandSocio-EconomicCharacterisationStudyadvocatesthedevelopmentofmixed-incomecommunities,andschoolscanplayanimportantroleinfosteringthedevelopmentofthesecommunities.Mixed-incomeschoolshavebeenshowntohelpclosetheattainmentgapforlow-incomestudents,andcontributetosocialintegration.27

2.7 GREEN INFRASTRUCTUREParksformpartofagreeninfrastructurethatunderpinsthefunctioningofurbanenvironmentandformsanimportantpartofcity-wideinfrastructureplanning. The green infrastructure approach proposes that each piece of land managementcanprovideavarietyofecosystemservicesandthatoperateatavarietyofscalesincludingneighbourhoods,districts,citiesandregions.Thisdynamicapproachcontrastswithamoretraditionalmono-functionalapproachtolandandthisimprovestheabilityofplacestoaddressissuesofclimatechangeresilience,pollution,floodriskandecologicaldegradation.

Climatechangeislikelytoaffectalloftheworld’scitiesoverthenext50yearsandbeyondandthiswillbeparticularlythecasewhereemissionlevelsproducelocalisedgreenhouseeffects.ParkscanmakesignificantcontributionmitigatingagainsttheimpactofclimatechangeonBarkingandDagenham.

Climatechangeisexpectedtoincreasefloodriskwithincreasedrainfallandmoreextremeweatherpatterns.Urbanenvironmentsareoftenpoorlyequipped to cope with the intense periods of rainfall that can result in economicallyandsociallycostlyfloodevents.Parksandgreenspacescanabsorbupto25%ofprecipitationdirectlyintothesoilandgroundwater,alleviatingpressureonbuiltdrainagesystems.28 Parks and green spaces can alsomakeapositivecontributiontothisproblembyabsorbingandretaininglargevolumesofprecipitationandreleasingthismoreslowlyintodrainagesystems and networks .

FloodriskissignificantinareasoftheboroughclosetotheThameswhichfall within Flood Zone 3, along with areas around Beam Park and Mayesbrook Park.NewdevelopmentsinthesezonesmustincorporateSUDSi.e.attenuationponds,swalesandreedbeds.Thesewillprovidenaturalwaystoreducefloodrisk,providetemporarystorageandimprovewaterquality,whilecreatingwetlandhabitatsforwildlifeinanattractiveaquaticsettingwithadditionalpotentialforaccessibleleisurefacilities.

Urban warming is a direct consequence of both climate change and localised greenhouseeffects.Thesetemperaturerisescanhaveadirecteffectonpublichealth.Openspaces(andparticularlytrees)haveasignificantmoderating

nationalaveragesaccordingtoPublicHealthEngland.Theboroughalsohadcorrespondinglylowlevelsofphysicallyactiveadultsincomparisontonationalandregionalaverages.TheseissueswereclearlythemostpressinghealthconcernsforBarkingandDagenhaminthePublicHealthEnglandreview,andsohavebeenanalysedspatiallyfortheTownscapeandSocio-EconomicCharacterisationStudy(2017).IdentifiedareaswithpressinghealthconcernsareBarkingtowncentre,areasofThamesViewandBarkingRiverside,thevicinityofDagenhamEaststationandBeacontreeHeath.

PlacespecificdataforobesityinadultsorthegeneralpopulationisnotavailablebutPublicHealthEnglandhasreviewedchildobesitylevelsatreceptionage(4-5years)andYear6(10-11years)(Fig.2.4andFig.2.5).TheseindicateproportionallyhigherlevelsintheboroughinBarking,particularlytothe south of the town centre, including the Gascoigne Estate.

Thesestatisticsmightreflectthelessimmediateaccesstooutdoorandgreenspaceswhilelivinginapartmentsintallerbuildings.Theymightalsoreflectconsultationfindingsthattheplayareasontheestatedidnotengagechildren,witheachonebeingidentical.However,itisalsoworthnotingthatthepopulationdensityhereishigherthanotherpartsoftheborough,sothenumberwillautomaticallybehigher.21

2.6 EDUCATIONUKchildrenarespendinglessandlesstimeoutdoors.Thelikelihoodofchildrenvisitinganygreenspaceatallhashalvedinageneration,mostofthesevisitsnowonlyhappenunderadultsupervision.Similarly,useoftheopenspacesaroundtheirhomeswhichtheyknowhasfallenby90%in20years.22

Parksandopenspacesareprovinglessattractiveforchildrenandyoungpeoplewhencomparedwithotheragegroups.Youngpeopleagedbetween16and24reportlowerqualityacrossallindicatorsanalysedforthestudy:15%thoughttheirlocalparksandopenspacesweretheaspectoftheirareasthatneededmostimprovement,comparedwith8percentof55-74yearolds.23

Bycontrast,thebenefitsaccruingtochildrenfromregularuseofopenspacesandinteractionwithnaturearewell-established.Children’scognitiveandsocial-emotionalskilldevelopmentbenefitfromregularandvariedaccesstonature. Safe and familiar open spaces close to home contribute to personal development,allowchildrentoexploreandtotestmotorskillsandsupportthedevelopmentofinterpretivesensoryskills.Thereisconsiderableevidencethatchildrenlivinginsocio-economicallydeprivedareahavebetterlevelsofconcentrationwhentheyregularlyenjoytheuseofgreenspaceandtheseenhancedconcentrationlevelstranslateintohigherlevelsofeducationalattainmentandsupportthedevelopmentofself-esteem.24

ChildrensufferingfromAttentionDeficitDisorder(ADD)benefitfromactivityin public spaces, especially green spaces. When parents of children with ADD wereaskedtonominatetheactivitiesthattheyhadfoundmadetheirchildrenmoremanageable,85%ofgreen-spaceactivities(suchasfishingandsoccer)weresaidtoimprovethechildren‘sbehaviour,whileonly43%ofnon-greenactivities(suchasvideogamesandwatchingtelevision)wereregardedasbeneficial.Indeed,57%ofnon-greenactivitiesweresaidtoresultinworsebehaviour.25 Fig.2.5-Numberofobesechildrenage10-11(Source:Numbersofchildrenclassifiedasobese,

2015;PublicHealthEngland)

Fig.2.4-Numberofobesechildrenage4-5(Source:Numbersofchildrenclassifiedasobese,2015;PublicHealthEngland)


effectontemperatures.Researchsuggeststhata10%increaseintreevolumecanreduceambienttemperaturerisesby30-50%onhotsummerdays.Wheregreenspaceoccupiesmorethan50%oflandsurfacearea,temperaturesareapproximately7degreescentigradelowerthanelsewhereina neighbourhood.29Thiscoolingeffectcanbeexperiencedupto100mfromthe park edge.30Theurbanheatmapclearlyrevealsthatthoseareaslackingingreenopenspaces,suchastheresidentialareasbetweenParsloesParkandEastbookendCountryPark,experiencesignificantlyhighertemperatures.Futureimprovementstostreetscapesintheseareasshouldincludeplantingofnew and appropriate tree species to help absorb and reduce air temperatures.

LevelsofNO2intheborougharerelativelylowwhencomparedtocentralLondonbutsimilarinlevelstootherouterborough’s.Thepollutantisconcentrated in Barking Town Centre and its surrounds, and along the A13 andA12corridors.Levelsdissipateslightlyasyoumoveeastacrosstheborough.

Greeninfrastructureisasystemthatcanimpactatmanydifferentlevelstoaffectenvironmentalmanagement.Figure2.5illustrateshowthesemightimpactatlocallevelinBarkingandDagenham.

2.8 CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOURThe Community Safety Plan outlines the aims of the Community Safety Partnershipatastrategiclevel.ItidentifieshowtheprioritiessetbytheStrategic Assessment will be worked towards.

TheCommunitySafetyPlanhasthreepriorities:

1. IntegratedOffenderManagement–toworkacrossagenciestoensureoffendersarebeingmanaged.Thiswillreducethelikelihoodofre-offending,andwillmoveoffenders’livesawayfromcrimeanddisorder.Offendersemploymentprospectswillbesupportedbytheirparticipationincommunityreparationprojects.Theseprojectswillgiveoffendersthechance to contribute to their local neighbourhood and encouraging them tobuildanewlifewheretheyarelesslikelytore-offend.

2. IntegratedVictimManagement–toworkbetweenorganisationstoensurethatthevictimsofcrimearesupported,andtoreducethenumberofpeoplewhobecomevictimsofcrime.Thiswillalsohelpvictimstofeelmoreconfidentinreportingcrimes.

3. BuildingConfidence–itisimportantfortheCommunitySafetyPartnershiptoworktomakeresidentsfeelconfidentthattheirissueswillbe dealt with. This will reduce the fear of crime in the borough. Increased confidenceintheCommunitySafetyPartnershipwillalsomakepeoplefeelmoreconfidenttotelltherightpeoplewhentheybecomeavictimofcrime, witness a crime or are aware of crime and disorder.31

Between2012/2013and2014/2015,crimeratesintheboroughhavedeclinedfromarateof90.5offencesper1,000peoplein2012/2013toarateof81.8in2014/2015.Despitethis,thefearofcrimeintheboroughishigh:theJSNAreportincludesestimatesfromthelastquarterof2014/2015bytheMetropolitanPoliceServicehighlightingthatalthoughtherehadbeenanimprovementintheproportionofpeoplethinkingthatthepoliceweredoingagoodjobintheborough(55%in2013/2014and57%in2014/2015),the

Fig.2.5-LocalGreenInfrastructureoptionsandimpacts(Source:LandscapeInstitute(2001):LocalGreenInfrastructure)


NOTES14 https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/current-

london-plan/london-plan-chapter-seven-londons-living-spac-20

15 Barking and Dagenham Contaminated Land Strategy https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Contaminated- Land-Stategy-%E2%80%94-Chapter-2-Characteristics-of-the-Borough.pdf16 Barking and Dagenham Contaminated Land Strategy https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Contaminated- Land-Stategy-%E2%80%94-Chapter-2-Characteristics-of-the-Borough.pdf17 LBBDCharacterStudyFinalDraft_Pages1–4018 LBBDCharacterStudyFinalDraft_Pages85–12619 DEFRA(2010)20 BADEetal(2010)21 LBBDCharacterStudyFinalDraft_Pages85-12622 NaturalEngland.(2010).ChildhoodandNature:ASurveyonChanging RelationshipswithNatureAcrossGenerations.23 CABESpace.(2010).UrbanGreenNation24 HealthCounciloftheNetherlands(2004)25 NationalRecreation26 LBBDCharacterStudyFinalDraft_Pages127-16627 Education,OECD.Power,Anne(2007)NeighbourhoodRenewal,Mixed CommunitiesandSocialIntegrationviaLSEResearchOnline.28 DepartmentforTransport,LocalGovernmentandtheRegions.(2002). GreenSpaces,BetterPlaces:FinalreportofTheUrbanGreenSpaceTask Force29 Whitford,V.,Ennos,A.R.andHandley,J.F.(2001).Cityformandnatural process–indicatorsfortheecologicalperformanceofurbanareasand theirapplicationtoMerseyside,UK.LandscapeandUrbanPlanning,Vol. 57(2),pp.91-10330 Shashua-Bar,L.andHoffman,M.E.(2000).‘Vegetationasaclimatic componentinthedesignofanurbanstreet:anempiricalmodelfor predictingthecoolingeffectofurbangreenareaswithtrees’.Energyand BuildingsVol.31,pp.221-23531 CommunitySafetyPlan2014-2017 https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Community- safety-plan-2014-17.pdf32 Final-report-of-the-Barking-and-Dagenham-Independent-Growth- Commission-PART-233 Final-report-of-the-Barking-and-Dagenham-Independent-Growth- Commission-PART-2

proportionofpeopleworryingaboutcrime(36%)iswellabovetheLondonaverage(25%).

ViolentcrimeisasignificantissueinBarkingandDagenham:accordingtotheJSNAin2014/2015,violentcrimeaccountedfor37%ofallnotifiableoffenceswithin the borough, which is higher than the rate for the Metropolitan Police Serviceareasof33%.In2014/2015,BarkingandDagenhamalsohadthehighestrateacrossLondonfordomesticabuseoffences.32

CrimeinBarkingandDagenhamparksisrelativelylow,BarkingPark,MayesbrookPark,StChadsParkrecordedthehighestcrimefiguresofallparkswithatotalnumberofoffencesof70,80and53respectively.

2.9 HOUSING SUPPLY AND GROWTHOwneroccupationgrewinBarkingandDagenhaminthe1980sand1990sattheexpenseofthesocialrentedsector–andfellbackinthe2000sastheprivaterentedsectoradvanced.In1981,socialhousingwasthepredominanttenure(65%)intheboroughandlessthanathird(31%)ofpeoplewereowneroccupiers.Oneinfortyhouseholds(3%)livedintheprivaterentedsectorintheborough-averylowfigurebytodaysstandards,butalsorelativetootherareasatthattime.However,by1991,overhalf(52%)ofhouseholdswereowneroccupiers,asright-to-buyledtocounciltenantsbuyingtheirhomes,thusmovingoutofsocialrentsandintoowneroccupation.By2011,theprivaterentalsectorhadgrowntoalmostoneinfivehouseholds(18%ofallhouseholds),whileowneroccupationhadfallento46%.Ofthethreeneighbouringboroughs,Haveringhasthemostowneroccupation,andNewhamhasthemosthouseholdsintheprivaterentalsector(Fig.2.6).

Thereisexpectedtobesignificantgrowthinhousingintheborough,with35,000 new homes planned by 2030. In 2014 there were 72,670 homes in theBorough(2.1%ofLondon’stotalhousingstock),ofwhich1,382werevacant.TheBoroughisnotableforhavingamuchhigherproportionoflocalauthorityownedhousingthanLondonasawhole,with25.4%ofBarkingand

Dagenham’shousingbeinglocalauthorityownedcomparedto11.9%acrossLondon as a whole.

Thispartiallyreflectsalowerproportionofhousingcontrolledbyprivateregisteredproviders,whichaccountforjust5.7%ofprovidersintheborough,comparedwith11.4%acrossLondonasawhole.However,thisalsoreflectsalowerproportionofprivate(rentalandowneroccupied)housingintheBorough.68.9%ofhousingintheBoroughisintheprivatesector,comparedto76.4%acrossLondon.

BarkingandDagenham’snewhousingtargetsetoutbytheLondonPlanisfor1,236 homes a year to be built between 2015 and 2025. Barking Town Centre wasdesignatedaHousingZoneinFebruary2015,bringingwithit£42.3millionofinvestment.Some2,295homesand4,000newjobswillbecreated,alongsidetheregenerationofthetowncentreandtheprovisionofnewpublicspaces, cultural and community spaces.

TheLocalPlanhasestimatedthattheboroughwouldhavethepotentialtobuild 35,000 new homes by 2030 if some of its protected industrial land is realisedforhousing.Thetopsixareasofvacantindustriallandwouldprovidethefollowingcapacity:

1. BarkingRiverside-10,124 2. CastleGreen–12,900 3. Creekmouth-3,4414. ChadwellHeath–3,753 5. ThamesRoad-20003,0006. FordStampingPlant–2,90033

Fig.2.6-DwellingsbyTenure(Source:Census2011)


THE VALUE OF PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

3ThereportoftheUrbanTaskforce(TowardsandUrbanRenaissance–1999)onthefutureoftheUK’scitiesandthesubsequentreportoftheGreenspacesTaskForce(GreenSpaces,BetterPlaces,2002)helpedtoshapecurrenturbanpolicyandledtothecreationofCABESpacein2003.Parksandgreenspacesand the wider public realm are now at the centre of discussions around urbanplacemaking,developmentandregeneration.ConsiderablecapitalinvestmentbytheHeritageLotteryFundandotherpublicsectorfundershasdemonstrated their importance.

Thequalityoftheenvironmentisconsideredakeyelementindeterminingthecompetitivenessofonecityagainstanother,withworldcitiessuchasLondoncompetingforresourcesofskilledandtalentedworkers,capitalinvestmentandintheeconomyofinternationaltourism.Londonregularlyassertsitscredentialsasa‘greencity’andparksfiguresignificantlyinthisassertion.DifferentboroughswithinLondonpromotethequalitiesoftheirenvironmentandtheextentoftheirgreenspacesascontributingfactorstotheireconomicsuccessandtheirattractivenessasaplacetolive,workandvisit.Theparkisnolongerseenasanisolatedgreenspacebutpartofanintegratedandmixed-useeconomic,social,andenvironmentalstructurethatbindsacitytogether,makingindividualplacesdistinctiveandcontributingtothesuccessofcities,suburbs,urbanenvironmentsandthequalityoflifeforcommunities.

ResearchintheUKandelsewherehasdemonstratedconclusivelythatanumberofeconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitsaccruefromgoodqualityurbanparks.Thissectionofthestrategyconsidersanapproachtovalue,basedonthevalueofoutcomesdeliveredbygoodqualityparksandopen spaces

3.1 THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF GREENSPACE Parksandgreenspacesareoftenhighlyvaluedbylocalcommunitiesintermsoftheirformalassetvalue,howeverasaresultofplanningdesignationsrulingoutthepossibilityoftheuseofparklandfordevelopment,publicparkshavebeenlargelyassessedashavingnegligiblevalue.Thisresultsintheprovisionofparksservicesasbeingcharacterisedasanegativebudgetactivitywithnoidentifiablecostbenefits,ignoringthevaluethatparkscontributetourbaneconomies,thecitycommunitiesandtocityenvironments.

Property ValuesResearch has shown that proximity to a good quality public park will add up to 20%tothevalueofproperty,dependingonproximityandaccessibility 34. This upliftwillapplytopropertieslocated100-1000metresfromaparkandupliftismaximisedwheretheparksareperceivedtobeofhighquality.

Commercialpropertyvaluesaresimilarlypositivelyimpacteduponbygoodqualityparksandgreenspace.Rentalvaluesaresustainedathighervalueswheregoodqualitygreenspaceiseitherimmediatelyavailableorintegraltotheworkingenvironment35.Goodqualityenvironmentssupportcompaniesinthecompetitiverecruitmentandretentionofskilledandproductiveworkers.Thecontributionthatparksmaketolocalandcitywideeconomiesinturnsupportsthetaxyieldaccruingtoauthoritieswiththisyieldsupportingthedeliveryoflocalservices.

The Tourist EconomyThetouristeconomyisavitalpartofLondon’seconomy,contributing£15.9billion annually36. Signature public open spaces are key elements in the tourist economyofmostworldcities.NewYork’sHighlineisnowoneofthetopfivetouristattractionsinthecity,withover5millionvisitorssinceitopenedin2009,withthenumberofconstructionprojectsintheareadoublingwithsomethirtylargeprojectsprogressingwithavalueofover$2billion37. WhileLondon’sRoyalParksarethecentrepieceofthecapital’sgreenspaceoffer,bothinnerandouterLondonboroughsaredevelopingdistinctiveparks.ThamesBarrierParkandQueenElizabethIIOlympicParkareseenassignificantcontributorstothevisitorandtouristeconomy.

Property ValuesThese signature parks and the neighbourhoods around them are economic entitiesintheirownright,supportingarangeofcommercialactivitiesincludingparkcafes,events,galleriesandactivelifestylebusinesses.Parksandthe businesses around them contribute directly to the number of local jobs andemploymentlevels.Over10,000peoplearedirectlyemployedinparksacrosstheUKandtensofthousandsmoreinancillarybusinessesattachedtoorinthevicinityofparks38. This direct employment is complemented by the activityofalargenumberofvolunteersinparks,whocontributeanestimated£17-35millionofvaluetoopenspaceacrosstheUKeveryyear39.

3.2 THE SOCIAL VALUE OF GREENSPACEHealth Thepositiveimpactsofaccesstogoodqualityparksandopenspacesonphysicalandmentalhealthandwellbeingarewelldocumentedandprovidearobustevidencebasetosupportinvestmentasameansofattractingpeopletousegreenspaceonaregularbasis.ObesityandrelateddiseasescosttheNHSanestimated£4.2billionayear40.Wherepeoplehavegoodperceivedoractualaccesstogreenspace,theyare24%morelikelytobephysicallyactive41.Abriskdailywalkintheparkcanreducetheriskofheartattackby50%,ofstrokeby50%,ofdiabetesby50%andofAlzheimer’sby25%42

Anti-depressantdrugscosttheNHS£750millionayear.Butaccesstoagreenenvironmentimprovesbothmoodandself-esteem.Peoplesufferingfromdepressionandmentaldysfunctionexperiencethegreatestimprovementinself-esteem43.Over90%ofgreenexerciseparticipantsreportthatthisactivityenhanced their mental health 44.

Education Parksandopenspaceshavelongbeenusedbyschoolstoextendtheirplayandeducationaloffer.Parksofferopportunitiesforchildrentoexploretheirperceptionsofriskinadynamic,freeoutdoorclassroom.Parksalsooffertheopportunitytounderstandthenaturalworldandtheinter-dependenceofthebuiltandnon-builtenvironment.Morerecentresearchhashighlightedthepositiveinfluencethataccesstonaturecanhaveoncognitiveability,educationalperformanceandattainment,andonbehaviour.90%ofheadteatchers state that learning outside the classroom is part of the ethos of their school 45.Children’sself-disciplinecanbeimprovedby20%byhavingviewsof


treesandvegetationoutsidetheirhome46 .ForchildrenwithAttentionDeficitDisorder(ADD),85%ofgreenspaceactivitieswerefoundtoimprovechildren’sbehaviour47.Childrenwhoarebulliedorwhosufferfromdysfunctionalfamilyarrangementsbenefitfrominteractionwiththenaturalworldbothintermsoftheirstresslevelandintermsofglobalself-worth48.

Place and NeighbourhoodNumerousstudieshaveidentifiedthecapacityofparkstoreinforceasenseofplaceandresidents’affinitywithaneighbourhood.Peoplewillidentifystrongly with their local park as part of the fabric of their neighbourhood. Where a park is of high quality, this will foster a sense of pride in the places wherepeopleliveandwork.Thesefeelingsareparticularlystronglyexpressedwhenparkshavedirectheritagevalueorcontainculturalassetsoractivitiesofsignificance,providingopportunitiesforlearningandculturalenrichment.Conversely,apoorqualityorneglectedparkcanhaveanegativeimpactonperceptionsofneighbourhoodquality49.Parksarebytheirverynaturediverse,encouraging people of all ages, cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds to meetandinteract.Thisisparticularlythecasewherecommunitiesparticipatein the planning and management of public spaces or where they contribute to culturalandsportingactivities.

Thiscomplexinteractionofeconomic,environmentalandsocialinfluencesrepresentsthesignificantcontributiongoodqualityparksandopenspacescanmaketothedevelopmentofsustainablecommunitiesandtocommunitycohesion.Inturnalargenumberofsocialandeconomicbenefitscanflowfrom these.

Food GrowingTherehasbeenaconsiderablegrowthinurbanfoodgrowingoverthepast decade. The Resource Centre on Urban Agriculture and Food Security identifiesthreeurbanagriculturalsystems,definedbythelevelofeconomicactivitythatiscarriedout50:

• Non-commercialurbanagriculture–allotments,microfarmingandinstitutionalgardens.

• Market-orientatedurbanagriculture–smallscalecommercialarable,horticulturalandlivestockfarminginanurbancontext.

• Specialisedurbanagriculturemulti-functionalurbanagriculture–foodgrowingpluseducation,tourism,agri-tourism.Urbanparkscansupportavarietyofurbanagriculturalactivities.

3.3 THE ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE OF GREENSPACE

Parksandgreenspaceshavethecapacitytoimprovethequalityoftheurbanenvironmentandcanhelptomitigatetheimpactsofclimatechange.TreesandplantsnaturallyabsorbCO2fromtheatmosphere,thussequesteringcarbonandmoderatingtheonsetofglobalwarming.Thecapacityoftreestooffsetcarbonemissionsisdeterminedbyitssize,canopycover,healthandage, but large trees can help to lower carbon emissions in the atmosphere by 2-3%.

Considerable research has been undertaken into the impacts on human health ofair-bornpollutants.Gasessuchascarbonmonoxide,nitrogendioxideandsulphurdioxideareallassociatedwithvehicleemissionsandareinjurioustohealth.Treesabsorbthesegasesthroughtheirleavesandrespiratorysystemsandithasbeenestimatedthatwoodlandcanreducetheconcentrationofnitrogendioxideandsulphurdioxideby4-5%(ref:BroadmeadowandFreerSmith1996:Urbanwoodlandandbenefitsforlocalairquality).

Urbanwarmingispartiallyaby-productofraisedgaseouspollution.Greenspacehasbeendemonstratedtohaveacoolingeffectonurbantemperatures.Daytimetemperaturesinparkshavebeenfoundtobe2-3degreeslowerthanthoseofsurroundingstreets(ref:DTLG2000:GreenSpaces,BetterPlaces)andthiseffectcanbeexperiencedupto100mfromtheparkedge(ref:Shashua-BarandHoffman2000:Vegetationasclimaticcomponentinthedesignofanurbanstreet).

Globalwarmingishavinganeffectonclimateconditionsandoccurrencesofextremeweathereventsaremodelledasasignificantoutcome.Episodesofextremeprecipitationbringanincreasedriskoffloodingandthecapacityof engineered drainage systems to cope with surcharging are limited. Soil systemsandvegetationarebothhighlypermeableandcapableofabsorbingsignificantquantitiesofprecipitation.Therunoffrateforsurfacesconsistingoftreesandgrassisestimatedtobe10-20%.Thiscompareswitharateof60-70%forhardlandscapeurbanareas(ref:DETR2002:GreenSpaces,BetterPlaces).Treesalsoimprovewaterquality,providingnaturalfiltrationandpreventingsoilerosion.

Rivervalleysandparksthroughwhichtheyruncandirectlyaddresstheriskoffloodingbyprovidingattenuationandwaterstoragecapacity.Bypreservingfloodplainsasnaturalsystemsandby‘naturalising’watercourses,pressureorengineered urban drainage systems, is reduced.

BiodiversityUrbanparksareoftenmorediversethansurroundingareasofcountrysideandhavethepotentialtosupportsignificantnumbersofspecies.Furtheropportunitiestodevelopthehabitatandbio-diversitypotentialofparkscan be supported within green blue corridors along which animal and plant communitiescanmigrateandwheregeneticexchangecantakeplace.Furtheropportunitiesexistalongtheurbanruralfringe,whichareoftenthemostdiversehabitatsintermsofspecies.

Re-defining the City /Countryside RelationshipAs an outer London borough, Barking and Dagenham has the opportunity tore-definetheartificialseparationofcityandcountryside.Theborough’sgeographyandecology(includingareasofGreenBeltandpatternsofrivervalleys)provideanimportant,distinctiveandenvironmentallyrichedgetoGreaterLondon.Therecreationaluseofparksandgreenspacescanbefurtherencouragedbyprovidingbetterconnectionsbetweenurbanparksandopenspaces and more natural landscapes on the edge of the city.

NOTES34 NeillDunse.(2007).Urbanparks,openspaceandresidentialproperty

values,RICS

35 GenslerInstituteandUrbanLandInstitute(2011)36 LondonandPartners(2013):LondonTourismReport2012/1337 ParkfortheFuture:ABestPracticeGuideforthe21stCentury:201238 Greenspace(2011)UnderstandingtheContributionParksandGreen SpacescanmaketoImprovingPeople’sLives.39 GreenSpace.(2003).CommunityNetworkingProject:FinalReport40 CABE2009–FutureHealth:sustainableplacesforhealthandwell-being41 NaturalEngland2009:TechnicalInformationnoteTIN05542 Bird2002:GreenSpaceandourHealth43 Petty,HineandPeacock2006:GreenExercise:thebenefitsofactivitiesin

greenspaces)44 Mind2007:Ecotherapy45 Department for Children, Schools and Families own research46 Taylor,KuoandSullivan2002:Viewsofnatureandself-discipline47 Taylor,KuoandSullivan2002:Viewsofnatureandself-discipline48 Bird2007:NaturalThinking–investigatingthelinkbetweenthenatural

environment,biodiversityandmentalhealth49 GreenSpace.(2010).GreenSTATvisitorsurveysystem50 RUAF(2011);CitiesandAgriculture–developingresilienturbanfood systems


BARKING AND DAGENHAM’S GREENSPACE

44.1 GREENSPACE PROVISIONThisParksandOpenSpacesStrategywillconsiderthelevelofcurrentprovisionofparksandopenspacesinBarkingandDagenhamagainstcurrentand likely future demand.

BarkingandDagenhamhasaportfolioof28parksandopenspacesproviding464hectaresofpublicopenspaceandthesearedistributedfairlyevenlyacrosstheborough,butwithaconcentrationofprovisioninacentralbelt running from Barking town centre in the West to Central Park and EastbrookendCountryParkintheEast.InthecontextoftheGLA’s2011PublicOpenSpacecategorisation,theboroughportfolioconsistsofeight‘DistrictParks’,11‘LocalParks’andnine‘SmallOpenSpaces.’

Throughitsplannedregenerationprogrammes,afurther85.46hectaresofpublicspacewillbeaddedoverthenexttwentyyearsatBarkingRiverside,Creekmouth,ThamesRoad,CastleGreenandChadwellHeath,givingatotalprovisionof549hectares.

Giventheborough’spopulationof206,056,greenspaceprovisionof549hectaresequatesto2.66hectaresper1,000headofpopulation.By2027,theborough’spopulationwillhavegrownto229,047,resultinginarateofgreenspaceprovisionof2.40hectaresper1,000headofpopulation.

Openspaceprovisionacrossalltypesofgreenspace,(parks,playgrounds,sportssites,naturalandsemi-naturalgreenspaces)is888.76Hectares(approximately25%oftheareaoftheborough).Thisequatesto4.3hectaresper1,000headofpopulation.Theadditionofafurther85.46hectaresofgreenspacewillincreaseoverallprovisionto974hectares,equivalentto4.73hectaresper1,000headofpopulation.By2027,theincreaseintheborough’spopulationwillhavereducedtheoveralllevelofprovisionto4.25hectaresper1,000headofpopulation.

Theprovisionofparksandopenspacesisevenlydistributedacrosstheboroughwithasignificantconcentrationofdistrictandlocalparksacrossthecentral belt of the borough. The council is planning further public open space initiativeswithintheCreekmouth,CastleGreen,ThamesRoadandChadwellregenerationareasbutastheseprojectsareatanearlystageofdevelopment,theirimpactonoverallprovisionandaccessibilitycannotcurrentlybequantifiedindetail.

Thereiscurrentlyadeficiencyofdistrictandlocalparksinboththenorthernandsouthernareasoftheboroughbutinthelatterarea,thisislikelytobeaddressedbynewparkprovisionatBarkingRiverside.ThiswillleaveadeficiencyinlocalanddistrictparkprovisioninthenorthoftheboroughwhichwillinpartbeaddressedbythenewparkprovisionatChadwellHeath.

Theboroughdoesnotcurrentlyhaveanymetropolitanparks(parksover50hectares),althoughParsloesParkat49.5hectaresisveryclosetothisstandard.Metropolitanparksinneighbouringboroughs(WansteadFlats,FairlopWatersandBrittonPlayingFields)allhavecatchmentscoveringareasof Barking and Dagenham.

4.2 BARKING AND DAGENHAM INDICATORS4.2.1 Standards of Provision for Parks and Open SpacesAnanalysisofthequantityofparksandopenspacesperheadofpopulationwillensurethattheboroughcontinuestostrategicallyplanandprovideanadequateamountofopenspaceinthefuture.NationalPlanningGuidance(2012)encourageslocalauthoritiestoundertakeassessmentsoftheneedsofopenspaceandtheLondonPlan(2015)seekstoensuresatisfactorylevelsoflocalprovisionthataddressareasofdeficiency.

Whilstneitherrecommendsspecificstandardsthatshouldbeadopted,FieldsinTrust,SportEnglandandNaturalEnglandprovideguidanceonrecommendedbenchmarksofprovision.Thistraditionallyiscalculatedashectares(Ha)per1,000headofpopulation(HOP).Forthisstrategyitisassessedatthecurrenttimein2017andoverthedurationofthestrategyfor the next ten years to 2026. This analysis can then be used to inform open spacestandardsforplanningwhichmaybeincludedinthenextversionoftheLocal Plan documents.

BarkingandDagenham’scurrentLocalPlan51issupportedbyaSiteSpecificAllocationsDPD52 that was adopted in 2010. This records a total of 485 Haofopenspace,representing‘2.80Haofpublicopenspaceper1,000population’.Currentplanningpolicyseekstomaintainthisstandardalthoughthiswillbecomeharderastheborough’spopulationcontinuestogrowandthe ability to create new open spaces is limited. A Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment 53 for the borough, published in 2006, acknowledged there will be increasingdemandsplacedonexistingopenspacesinthefutureandcurrentstandardsandbenchmarksforprovisionwillbehardertomaintain.

Current standards of provisionAnassessmentofthecurrentprovisionforparksandopenspacesacrosstheboroughtakesintoaccountthe28sites(listedintable4.1)totalling463Ha of open space. It should be noted that this does not include cemeteries, allotmentsorotheraccessibleamenitygreenspacesinpublicorprivateownershipthathavenotbeenincludedwithinthisstudy.Populationestimatesfor the borough54 in 2017 is calculated to be 206,056 which represents 2.64 Ha/1,000HOP.

Future standards of provisionChangesinthequantityofprovisionoverthelifetimeofthisstrategyarebasedonprojectionsfortheborough’sfuturegrowthinpopulationto229,047by2026.Thisanalysisalsotakesaccountoftheanticipatedincreaseinthequantityofopenspacethattotalsanadditional85.46Halistedinthefollowingtable.Thisrepresentsasmallincreaseinthestandardofprovisionoverthetenyearsto2.40Ha/1,000HOP(Table4.2).


Provision across localities and sub areasInevitablythequantityofparksandopenspacesvariesconsiderablyacrosstheborough.Somewards,suchasBeacontreeandWhalebone,havenoparkswithintheirboundarieswhilstothers,suchasEastbrookandVillage,benefitfromconsiderableareasofopenspace.Amoredetailedanalysisofprovisionhasbeenundertakenforthreelocalities(North/East/West)establishedby the Healthy Lifestyle Hubs Project to support the health and wellbeing objectivesforthisstrategy.Thisindicatesthatcurrentandfuturestandardsofprovisiontothenorthoftheborougharecomparabletoborough-widefigures.Standardsfortheeastaresignificantlyhigherwhilststandardsforthewestaresignificantlylowerthantheboroughaverage.Thesearesummarisedin the following table 4.3.

Thishighlightsthatthegreatestneedforadditionalopenspaceisinthewestoftheborough,whisttheeastalreadyhasarelativelyhighstandardofprovision.AcceleratingaccesstoandtheprovisionofnewopenspaceinBarkingRiversideandadjacentdevelopmentsiteswouldhaveclearbenefitalongsideimprovinglinkstootherexistingopenspaces.IncreasingtheprovisionofopenspacealongtheRiverRodingcorridor,astrategicprojectforthe All London Green Grid, could also be considered.

Comparison with other benchmarksThe most widely adopted benchmark used in planning has been the NPFA (NationalPlayingFieldsAssociation)SixAcreStandard,whichequatesto2.4Haper1,000HOP.Thisrecommended1.6Haforalloutdoorsportand0.8Haforchildren’splay.RecentrevisionbyFieldsinTrust56(formallytheNPFA)providesamoredetailedsetofrecommendationsandmoreextensivequantitybenchmarkofover5.0Haforavarietyofopenspacesincludingoutdoorsports;designatedplayareas;parksandgardens;amenitygreenspace;and,natural/semi-naturalspace.However,thelongestablished2.4

No Site DevelopmentArea(Ha)

20%OpenSpace Area (Ha)

01 ChadwellHeathDevelopment 32.30 6.50 02 ChadwellHeathAnti-AircraftSite

(estimate)1.34

03 CreekmouthDevelopment 20.50 4.10 04 ThamesRoadDevelopment 22.60 4.50 05 CastleGreenDevelopment 67.50 13.50 06A BarkingRiverside55–PylonPark 29.00 06B BarkingRiverside–Goresbrook 5.22 06C BarkingRiverside–ForeshorePark 7.23 06D BarkingRiverside–DistrictCentre 4.44 06E BarkingRiverside–WharfPark 2.67 06F BarkingRiverside–SportsPark 6.96

Total 85.46

Table 4.2 - Changes in the quantity of provision

PopulationProjection2017

CurrentAreaofOpenSpace

CurrentStandardHa/1,000

PopulationProjection2026

FutureAreaofOpenSpace

FutureStandardHa/1,000

Borough Wide 209,149 463.2 Ha 2.21 236,329 548.7 Ha 2.32

Locality1/North 76,250 190.2 Ha 2.49 85,568 198.0 Ha 2.31

Locality2/East 55,800 206.5Ha 3.70 66,226 206.5 Ha 3.12

Locality3/West 73,350 66.5 Ha 0.91 86,553 144.1 Ha 1.67

Table 4.3 - Provision across localities and sub areas

Name NeighbourhoodArea(referto9.1) Typology Area(ha) Designations01 AbbeyGreen-AbbeyRuins Group 3 Local 6.27 NC,REGEN.AREA,CONS.AREA02 Barking Park Group 3 District 29.80 SINC,MOL03 Beam Parklands Group 2 District 38.75 SINC, GREEN BELT, LNR04 Beam Valley Country Park Group 2 District 26.99 SINC, GREEN BELT, LNR05 Castle Green Park Group 3 Local 10.41 Undesignated06 Central Park Group 2 District 50.17 GREEN BELT07 ChaseNatureReserve Group 2 District 42.22 SINC, GREEN BELT, LNR08 Eastbrookend Country Park Group 2 District 55.45 SINC, GREEN BELT, LNR09 Essex Road Gardens Group 3 SmallOS 0.74 Undesignated10 Goresbrook Park Group 2 Local 14.71 SINC11 GreatfieldsPark SGroup 3 Local 5.80 Undesignated12 HeathParkOpenSpace Group 1 SmallOS 1.23 Undesignated13 Mayesbrook Park Group 2 District 48.95 SINC,MOL14 Newlands Park Group 1 SmallOS 0.79 Undesignated15 OldDagenhamPark Group 1 Local 13.38 GREEN BELT16 PadnallOpenSpace Group 3 SmallOS 1.44 Undesignated17 Parsloes Park Group 2 District 59.57 MOL18 PondfieldPark Group 1 Local 5.68 SINC19 RippleNatureReserve Group 1 Local 7.23 SINC, REGEN. AREA, LNR20 ScrattonsFarmEcopark Group 2 Local 3.77 SINC, LNR21 St Chads Park Group 3 Local 14.44 SINC22 StPeter&StPaul’sChurchyard Group 3 SmallOS 0.87 SINC, LNR23 Tantony Green Group 3 SmallOS 1.64 Undesignated24 The Leys Group 1 Local 7.54 GREEN BELT25 Valence Park Group 2 Local 12.20 SINC26 Quaker Burial Ground Group 1 SmallOS 1.69 Undesignated27 Kingston Hill Rec. Ground Group 2 SmallOS 0.56 GREEN BELT28 KingGeorge’sFields Group 1 SmallOS 0.9 Undesignated

463.19

Table 4.1 - The distribution of parks and open spaces


Hastandardfor1,000HOPprovidesausefulbenchmarktoaccesscurrentandfutureprovisioninBarkingandDagenhamandthisissetoutintable4.4.

Thisindicatesthatthecurrentplanningpolicytargetof2.8HaofOpenSpaceper1,000HOPisdifficulttoachievenowandoverthenexttenyears.Acrosstheboroughthiswouldcurrentlyrequireanadditional122Haofopenspace,theequivalentoftwoParsloesParks.Intenyears’time,factoringintheincreaseinpopulationandnewspacescreatedthroughdevelopment,113Haofadditionalopenspacewillberequired.

Takingthelowertargetof2.4HaofOpenSpaceper1,000HOPtheboroughwouldcurrentlyneedtoprovide39Haofadditionalopenspace,theequivalentofBeamParklands.Intenyears,againfactoringintheriseinpopulationandnewopenspacescreatedthroughdevelopment,theboroughwouldneedtoprovideanadditional18.5Ha,theequivalentofhalftheareaofBeam Parklands.

Whencomparedwithadjacentlocalauthorities,theLondonBoroughofHaveringcurrentlyprovides3.32Ha/1,000HOPnotedinitsCoreStrategy57 whichis50%higherthantheprovisionforBarkingandDagenham.However,theLondonBoroughofNewhamprovidesonaverage1.99Ha/1,000HOPwhich its Core Strategy58 acknowledges falls short of the 2.4 Ha FiT standard.

4.2.2 DeprivationThemostdeprivedneighbourhoodshavedifficultyinaccessinglifechancesrelativetolessdeprivedareas.Theresearchdetailedabovesuggeststhatparksandopenspacescanofferopportunitiestoimprovephysicalandmentalhealthandtoenhanceeducationaloutcomesandoffermoreextensivefacilitiesforactiveandpassiverecreationandsocialinteraction.

Giventhis,aparticularfocusshouldfallonthoseareasoftheboroughthatfallwithinthe30%mostdeprivednationally.IntheID2007,theboroughhad13LSOAsrankedwithinthe10%mostdeprivedinEngland.Thishasnowreducedto11.InGascoigneWardthenumberofhighlydeprivedLSOAshasdecreasedfrom4to2.TheLSOAthatcoversthetowncentreinAbbeywardisnolongerinthemostdeprived10%ofLSOAs.However,theLSOAwhichcoversthewesternedgeofHartsLaneEstatehasfallenintothe10%mostdeprived59.

Figure4.1and4.2showthelevelofdeprivationperLSOAintheborough,withtheworstdeprivedareasshowninred.TheseLSOAsarerankedwithinthehighest10thdeprivedLSOAsinthecountry.ThesearefoundinChadwellHeath,Heath,Village,Thames,GascoigneandAbbey.Theentireboroughlieswithintheworst50%ofallLSOAsofthecountry.

Fig.4.2-IndicesofDeprivation,BarkingandDagenham(Source:ResearchandIntelligenceTeam,LBBD,2011)

Fig.4.1-LowerSuperOutputAreasrankingin10%mostdeprivedinEnglandfigure(Source:ResearchandIntelligenceTeam,LBBD,2011)

Borough Wide Locality1/North Locality2/East Locality3/West

Population Projection 2017 209,149 76,250 55,800 73.350

CurrentHaofOpenSpace 463.2 190.2 206.5 66.5

Arearequiredfor2.80Ha/1,000HOP 585.6 213.5 156.2 205.4

AdditionalHarequiredtomeet2.80Hastandard 122.4 23.3 -50.3 138.9


AdditionalHarequiredtomeet2.40Hastandard 38.8 -7.2 -72.6 109.5

Population Projection 2026 236,329 85,568 66,226 86,553

FutureHaofOpenSpace 548.7 198.0 206.5 144.1





Table 4.4 - Provision across localities and sub areas


4.2.3 Flood RiskAsdiscussed,parksandgreenspaceshavethecapacitytoabsorbsurfacewaterandalleviatefloodriskaspartofsustainableurbandrainagesystems.‘SignificantareasoftheboroughclosetotheThamesfallwithinFloodZone3,alongwithareasaroundBeamParkandMayesbrookPark.Severalparksandopenspacesarelocatedwithintheserivervalleysandcanmakeasignificantcontributiontomanagingfloodrisk.Thisbenefitwillbecomeincreasinglyimportant in the future as the impacts of climate change become more apparent’.60

4.2.4 Air QualityPoorairqualityinBarkingandDagenhamisconcentratedontheborough’smainarterialroads,wheretherearetherearehighconcentrationsofNitrousDioxide(NO2)whichareabovetherecommendedlimitsforhumanhealth.

Figure 4.5 illustrates that the poorer air quality is to be found in the south andwestoftheboroughandthatthisimprovesasyoumoveeastwards.Thisislikelytoreflectinpartthelowerdensityofmajorroadsandthehighproportionofparksandgreenspacesinthecentralandeasternpartsoftheborough.

Fig.4.3-FluvialFloodRisk(Source:LBBDStrategicFloodRiskAssessment(SFRA)2008) Fig.4.4-Level2andFloodZones2and3(Source:B&DCharacterStudy,2017) Fig.4.5-AirQualityinB&DMap(Source:EnvironmentalResearchGroup,KingsCollegeLondon2015)


4.2.5 Urban HeatingUrbanheating,particularlyduringsummermonths,canhaveasignificanteffectuponhumanhealthandespeciallyyoungchildrenandolderpeople.Thiseffectcanbereducedbythecoolingeffectofparksandgreenspaces.Figure 4.6 illustrates that Barking and Dagenham town centres and areas immediatelynorthoftheserecordhigheraveragetemperaturesinmid-summer.Significantlythesearealsoareasthathavealowerdensityofparksand green spaces.

VolunteeringTheparkssectoracrosstheUKhasastrongtraditionofvolunteering.Thereareapproximately4,000communitygroupswithanaveragemembershipof134involvedwithurbangreenspace.Totalmembershipthusapproaches 500,000 across the UK 61.Theannualeconomicvalueofthework of community groups in parks and green spaces across the UK ranges somewherebetween£17millionand£35million.62

Itisnowcommonlyacceptedthatvolunteerscanplayanincreasingroleinthemanagementofparksandopenspacesandthatdirectbenefitswillaccruefromthisinvolvement.Volunteeringempowerslocalpeopletotakemorecontroloftheirenvironmentandgivesthemanopportunitytobecomemoreactiveintheircommunities.

Overafifth(24%)ofresidentshavegivensomeformofunpaidhelptoanygroup(s),club(s)ororganisation(s)orhaveformallyvolunteeredinthelast12months.However,aroundthreequarters(76%)haven’t.Theproportionofresidentswhohaveformallyvolunteeredinthelast12monthsissignificantlylowerinBarking&Dagenhamwhencomparedtothenationalaverage(by18percentagepoints).Residentswhoareintheblackethnicgroupandarelivingina4+personhouseholdaresignificantlymorelikelytohaveformallyvolunteeredinthelast12months.Conversely,residentswhoareintheAsianethnicgroupandareatheist/havenoreligion,aresignificantlylesslikelytohaveformallyvolunteered.63 Refer to Figure 4.7 and 4.8.

• Through the establishment of Friends Groups and through Place Checks, parksandgreenspacesprovideopportunitiesforindividualandgroupinvolvement.Thiscanrangefromacquiringvocationalskillsand experiencesthroughvolunteerworktoparticipationintheplanninganddevelopmentofparksandgreenspace.64

.

Fig.4.6-UrbanHeatinginB&DMap(Source:EnvironmentalResearchGroup,KingsCollegeLondon2015)

Fig.4.7-Volunteerdata-ethnicity,adults,religion(Source:LBBDResidents’PerceptionSurvey,Autumn2015)

Fig.4.8-Volunteerdata-full-age,workingstatus,religion(Source:LBBDResidents’PerceptionSurvey,Autumn2015)


NOTES51 Planning for the future of Barking and Dagenham, Core Strategy, Adopted

July2010,paragraph2.952 PlanningforthefutureofBarkingandDagenham,SiteSpecificAllocations

DevelopmentPlanDocumentAdoptedDecember2010,Para3.853 LB Barking & Dagenham Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment, Final

Report,November200654 LondonDatastoreInterim2015-basedcentraltrendpopulationprojection,

see:https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/interim-2015-based-population-projections

55 FiguresforBarkingRiversideOpenSpaceProvisiontakenfrom:OpenSpaceandRecreationStrategyDRAFTOpenSpaceandRecreationStudy,S106BarkingRiverside-April2017

56 GuidanceforOutdoorSportandPlay,BeyondtheSixAcreStandard,England, Fields in Trust 2015

57 HaveringCoreStrategyandDevelopmentControlPoliciesDPD,adopted2008, para 5.28, p39

58 Newham202,Newham’sLocalPlan-TheCoreStrategy,adoptedJanuary2012, para 6.260

59 Research and Intelligence Team, LBBD, 201160 LBBDCharacterStudyFinalDraft_Pages167-24061 GreenSpace.(2003).CommunityNetworkingProject:FinalReport62 GreenSpace.(2003).CommunityNetworkingProject:FinalReport63 residents-survey-full-report https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/residents-survey- full-report.pdf64 BarkingandDagenhamParksAndGreenSpacesStrategy–2003 https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Parks-and-Green- Spaces-Strategy-2003.pdf


QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PARKS AND OPEN SPACES

55.1 ASSESSING QUALITY Theassessmentofqualityinformsseveralkeyconclusionsdevelopedinthestrategy:

• An assessment of current quality will allow for a comparison of this with previousassessments,givingapictureofthe‘qualitytrend’.

• Anassessmentofqualitywillprovidethebasisfordecisionsonthe enhancementofexistingfacilitiesthroughinvestment.

5.2 QUALITY ASSESSMENT CRITERIATheassessmentofqualityisbasedonseveralfactors,includingfitnessforpurpose, good quality design and robust management and maintenance.

These factors are captured in the 2004 Green Flag standard, which is accepted as the benchmark for judging the quality of open space. In the context of the GreenFlagStandard,thecriteriabywhichthequalityofanindividualopenspaceisassessedaregroupedundereightmainheadings:

• Welcoming-howtocreateasensethatpeoplearepositivelywelcomed into a space.

• Healthy,SafeandSecure–howbesttoensurethatthesiteisasafeandhealthyenvironment.

• WellMaintainedandClean–whatpeoplecanexpecttofindinthewayofstandardsofcleanliness,facilitiesandmaintenance.

• Sustainability–howagreenspacecanbemanagedinenvironmentallysensitiveways.

• DonservationandHeritage–thevalueofconservationandcareof historic heritage.

• CommunityInvolvement–waysofencouragingcommunityinvolvement.• Marketing–methodsofpromotingormarketingasite.• Management–howtoreflectalltheaboveinacoherentandaccessible

management plan, statement or strategy.

TheassessmentofqualityfortheOpenSpacesStrategyshouldstronglyreference Green Flag criteria in order to benchmark quality against accepted nationalstandards.ButtheGreenFlagapproachtoqualityassessmentistargetedattheassessmentofindividualsitesandnotattheassessmentofaportfolioofsitesforanentirelocalauthorityarea.

Bristol’sParksandGreenSpacesStrategyisacknowledgedasbestpracticewithinthe2009CABEandMayorofLondonbestpracticeguidanceforOpenSpace Strategies. This guidance acknowledges that quality standards should relatetoinformationcollectedthroughon-siteauditsurvey,benchmarkedtoanappropriatestandardsuchasGreenFlag(Fig.5.1).

AnevaluationofBarkingandDagenham’stwenty-fivepublicparkswascarriedoutduringJanuaryandFebruary2002andformedpartoftheborough’s2003ParksandGreenSpacesStrategy.Eachparkwasevaluatedusingastandardevaluationformcomprisingoffiftyfourquestionsdividedintothefollowingelevensubjectareas:

• ContextandGeneralDescription

• Entrances • GeneralFacilities• Landscape Character and Quality • Security and Vandalism • Childrenand‘TheYoung’• Disabled People • Elderly People • Repairs Maintenance and Cleanliness • Ecology,EducationandHealth• Management

Toprovidetheboroughwithanassessmentofthequalitytrendbetween2003and 2016, the same approach was adopted to the assessment of park quality. Thequestionsetwasassessedandadaptedtoreflectanychangesinbestpracticesince2003.Eachparkwasevaluatedusingastandardevaluationformcomprisingoffiftyfourquestions.Eachparkwasawardedascorebasedontheremaining48questions,inresponsetoagreedcriteriaandsupportedbynotesin bullet point format. The scores awarded indicate the degree to which the parkmetthesecriteria,asfollows:

• 0 points Absent • 1 point Bad • 2 points Poor • 3pointsAverage• 4 points Good • 5 points Very Good.

Thefollowingsitetypologieswerenotassessedaspartofthisstudy:

• Privatelyownedopenspaces,outdoorsportsandrecreationalfacilities• Allotments • Incidentalareasofgreenspace(verges,SLOAP)• Agricultural land • Privatesiteswithpublicaccess• Civicgreyspaces• Cemeteries • Regenerationgreenspaces• Green/bluecorridors• Housing land • Green belt


Fig.5.1-Waystomeasurethevalueofparksandgreenspaces(Source:CABE(2009):MakingtheInvisiblevisible–therealvalueofparkassets)


5.3 RECENT CHANGES AND TRENDS IN QUALITYAsdefinedinthe2003assessment,thescoresforeachcomponentoftheassessmentweretranslatedintoscoresof‘verygood’,‘good’,‘average’,‘poor’and‘bad’.Siteswhichachievedover80%ofthemaximumpointsavailablewereawarded‘verygood’,sitesinthe60%-80%bracketawarded‘good’,40%-60%wereawarded‘average’,20%-40%wereawarded‘poor’andthosesitesscoringbelow20%ofthemaximumpointsavailablescored‘bad’.

Asin2003,thequalityofparksacrosstheboroughvariesconsiderably.

Similarlyto2003noparkshaveachieveda‘verygood’ranking.Incontrastwiththe2003assessment,thenumberofparksachievingscoresof‘goodand‘average’hasdeclined.Moreparksacrosstheborougharenowclassifiedas‘poor’.Thenumberofparksclassifiedas‘bad’hasn’tchanged.

Acrosstheentireportfolio,parkstendtoscoreworstintermsofmanagementandhealthandcateringforpeoplewithdisabilitiesandbestinentranceinformationandlandscapecharacter.Since2003therehasbeenaconsiderable decline in terms of how well parks are managed and how secure they are. In common with the 2003 study, the quality of Barking and Dagenham’sparksandopenspacesvariesconsiderablyacrosstheborough.Themajorityofparksareeitherof‘average’or‘poor’quality.

Onlytwoparksarecurrentlyscoredas‘good’,incomparisontofourparksin2003.Between2003and2017,thenumberofparksscoredas‘good’fellfromninetoseven.Thenumberofparksscoredas‘poor’increasedfromeighttoseventeen.Theoverallaveragequalityscorehasfallenfrom42%to36%since2003.

Bothparksratedas‘good’areinthewesternpartoftheborough.Parksclassifiedas“good”declinetowardstheeasternedgeoftheborough.

Thereisanevenmoreconsiderabledeclineinqualitywithinnaturalgreenspacessince2003.OverallqualityscorefortheChaseNatureReservehasfallenbyalmost50%andinthecaseofEastbrookendCountryParkby38%.

QUALITY SCORES/TREND - KEY FINDINGS

• Theoverallaveragequalityscoreofparkshasfallenfrom42%to36%since 2003.

• Similarlyto2003noparkshaveachieved‘verygood’ranking.• Thenumberofparksachievingscoresof‘good’and‘average’hasdeclined

from thirteen to nine since 2003.• Thenumberofparksclassifiedas‘poorquality’increasedfromeightto

seventeen.

Worst average scores in:

• Management(23%)• Providingfordisabledpeople(28%)

Best average scores:

• Entranceinformation(56%)• Landscapecharacter(50%)

Biggest decline since 2003:

• Management(42%to23%)• Securityandvandalism(53%to36%)

Biggest improvement since 2003:

• Ecology,educationandhealth(29%to39%)

Fig.5.-TrendinginLBDDpark’squalityscorebetween2003and2017

Some of the findings include:• Onlytwoparks(MayesbrookParkandBarkingPark)arecurrentlyscored

as‘good’,incomparisontofourparksin2003• Betterqualityparkstothewestoftheborough,qualityscoresdeclineto

the east• Qualityofnaturalgreenspacesdecreasedmostconsiderably(Chase

NatureReserve’squalityscorehasfallenby50%)• MayesbrookPark’sscorehasimprovedthemost(from36%to70%),

achievingbestqualityscoreintheborough





EVENTS IN BARKING AND DAGENHAM

66.1 INTRODUCTIONAspartofthelargerParksandOpenSpacesStrategyanEventsinParksandOpenSpacesstrategyhasbeendevelopedinordertosetoutavisionforahealthy,dynamicculturalofferwhichbringstolifetheuniquequalitiesoftheboroughsparksandencouragesresidentsandvisitorstoenjoythemanybenefitsthatanexcitingeventsprogrammecanofferwhilstmaximizingtheopportunity for the local authority to generate income where possible through events.

6.2 CONTEXTBarkingandDagenhamcurrentlyhasaseriesofpopulareventsdeliveredlargelybytheeventsteamatthelocalauthority,funfairsandbyCreativeBarkingandDagenham.Thereare25eventsplannedinparksandopenspacesfor 2017.

Mostofthecouncilprogrammeisthelegacyfromthe50yearcelebrationprogrammeofeventsin2015,withthemostsuccessfulhavingremainedaspartoftheprogrammeandarecontinuallybeingdeveloped.TheseincludeBarkingFolkFestival,CivilWarre-enactment,OneBoroughFestival,EastendbrookCountryFair,RoundhouseMusicFestivalandtheSteamandCiderfestival.

ThecouncilteamalsooverseeeventsorworkwiththirdpartyproviderstoorganiseeventssuchasArmedForcesDayandGlowFestival.

CreativeBarkingandDagenham(aBarkingandDagenham-basedArtsCouncilfundedorganisationoverseenbymultiplelocalculturalpartners)runthreemajoreventswhichareDagfest,ThamesfestandGlowFestival.

MultiplefunfairsrunannuallyinCentral,Parsloes,OldDagenham,BarkingandMayesbrook Parks.

Inadditiontheonlyothermajoreventisacommercialeventcalled‘NowThat’saFestival’whichtakesplaceinCentralParkintheAugustBankHoliday.TheeventworksinpartnershipwiththecouncilallowingthiseventtotakeplaceononeortwodaysandtheinfrastructuretobeleftinplaceforthecounciltoholdtheRoundhouseMusicFestivalonthefollowingday.Inexchangethecommercial promoters use the council licence and do not pay hire fees to use the park.

Thisstrategyaimstodeveloponthesuccessofthe50thanniversaryprogrammebyidentifyingfourkeydeliveryelementstoensureasuccessful,diverseandincomegeneratingannualeventsprogrammedeliveredbythelocalauthority,thecommunityandcommercialthirdparties.

Thefourkeyelementsofthestrategyare:

• Identifyingkeyparkssuitableforeventsandcelebratingtheuniquequalitiesoftheseopenspaces.

• Encouragingthecommunitytoleadandowneventsintheborough.• Strengthening processes and making the borough friendly and open to

thirdpartypartnershipsandcommercialeventorganisers.• LicensingofParksandinvestmentininfrastructure.

BarkingandDagenhamhaveanincometargetof£32,500in2017/2018andinfutureyearsfromeventsandthisstrategyaimstoimplementeffectivemethodsto reach this target.

BarkingandDagenhamsuffersfromchallenginghealthandwellbeingstatisticsincludingthelowestleveloflifesatisfactionofanyLondonBoroughandthesecondlowesthappiness,anxietyand‘worthwhile’measureacrossLondon.ThepopulationhasamuchlowerengagementwiththeartsthanmanyLondonboroughsandsuffersfromtheworstlevelofchildobesityinLondonforreceptionandYear6children.

Indevelopinganeventsstrategyforparksandopenspaces,weaimtoengagethecommunityasorganisers,participantsandaudiencesandutiliseeventstoencouragemorelocalvisitorstoparksandopenspacesthusleadingthemtoseetherangeofhealthyactivitiesavailablesuchassportingfacilities,growingprojectsandexcitingplayopportunities.Inadditionbyprovidingahighqualityprogrammeofeventstoweaimtoencourageengagementintheartsandincreasevaluableculturalofferingstoimprovewellbeing.

6.3 PROPOSALS AND REASONINGAneffectiveeventsprogrammeaimstohelpaddresschallengingsocialandhealthstatisticsintheboroughbycreatingpositiveexperiencesforthecommunityasaudiences,participantsandorganiserswhilstgeneratingincomeforthelocaleconomyandlocalauthoritybudgetsandraisingtheprofileofBarkingandDagenhamasaculturaldestination.

TheestimatedattendanceateventsinBarkingandDagenhamannuallyis100,000andalthoughthereisnofirmdata,thebeliefisthatmostofthisnumber is made up of local residents. There is an opportunity through an effectivestrategytoincreasethenumberofpeopleattendingeventsintheboroughandinparticulartoencourageaudiencesfromoutsidetheboroughwhilstmaintainingadynamiceventsprogrammeforlocalpeople.

Post2012OlympicshasshownthattherehasbeenanincreaseinthedemandforeventsandtheUKeventsindustrygeneratesover530,000fulltimejobsandisworthover£36.1billionrisingto£42.2billionby2015and£48.4billionby 2020. There is an opportunity for Barking and Dagenham to embrace theeventssectorinitsparksandopenspacestocreatejobs,opportunitiesandincreaseincome,howeverasanouterLondonboroughthereneedstobearealisticexpectationinrespectofthenumberofcommercialorganiserstheboroughcanattract.Incomecanhoweverbegeneratedfromlargescalecommunityeventsaswellasthroughcommercialorganisers.

Equally,FilmandTVisanimportantindustryfortheUK,worth£4.2billiontotheannualGDP,andresponsiblefor120,000fulltimejobs.Thisstrategyaimstoaddresshowtomaketheboroughmorefilmfriendlyandutilisethisopportunity to bring income into the borough.

The four core elements to the strategy will be explored further in the next sections.


6.4 KEY PARKS SITESThiseventsstrategyistobeimplementedwithinaselectednumberofparksintheborough.Thefollowingparkshavebeenselectedbasedontheirsuitabilityandprovisiontohosteventsandcurrentsuccessfuleventprogrammes:

• Central Park• Barking Park• Parsloes Park• OldDagenhamPark

Otherparkshavebeenidentifiedasbeingcurrentlyunderusedspaceswhichcouldpotentiallyholdbiggerevents.Theseare:

• Eastbrookend Country Park• Mayesbrook Park

Thefollowingparkshavebeenidentifiedasbeinggoodpotentialspacestoholdsmallerevents:

• StChad’s• Abbey Green• Valence Park

Oncethesekeysiteshavebeenagreed,investmentintoinfrastructureandlicensing,creatingsharedriskassessmenttemplatesandensuringvehicleaccesswouldencouragegreatereventsuse.

Theboroughwillfocusoneventsintheseparks,butwillhaveflexibilityinthestrategytoallowsmallscalelocaleventslinkedtolocalgreenspacestotakeplace on a case by case basis.

TyinginwiththelargerParksandOpenSpacesstrategyandrecommendationsforthefuturedevelopmentofthesespaces,thefollowingkeyfeatureshavebeendrawnoutforeachparktohelpguideeventswhichcanshowcasetheuniquequalitiesofeachspace.

6.4.1 Central ParkThisparkhasalarge,flatdesignatedeventspacewithgoodaccessmakingitappealingforavarietyofevents.

TheproposedplansforCentralParkincludemultipleimprovementstosportingfacilitiesandanextendedareaforGrowingCommunities.Eventsthatfocusaround sports, wellbeing and food are recommended for this site, especially thosethatareledbyorruninpartnershipwiththegroupsandprovidersbasedon the site.

Theproposedplansalsoincludethedevelopmentofanamphitheatricalmoundingsurroundingadesignatedeventsspace.Thisgivesaveryexcitingopportunitytocreateeventsgivingaudiencesexcellentsightlinesmeaninglargescaleoutdoortheatricalevents,filmscreenings,concertsandsportingdisplayswouldworkverywell.

TheimprovedlinkstoEastbrookendCountryParkcanpotentiallyprovideeventorganiserswithaverylargesite.

6.4.2 Barking ParkTheparkhasalarge,flatdesignatedeventsspacewithgoodaccessmakingitappealingforavarietyofevents.

The proposed plans include enhanced growing spaces, an ecological zone andedibleandorchardplantingmakingeventsthatfocusongrowing,theenvironment,healthylifestylesandfoodcomplimentarytothespace.

Theparkhassportingfacilitiesincludingaskatepark,splashparkandbasketballcourt and the proposed plans include new cricket and football pitches and thereforesportingeventswouldworkwellinthispark.Thefacilitiesinthisparkdoandwillencourageafamilyaudiencewhichcouldbeharnessedbyeventorganisers.

Theparkhasexcellentaccesstothetowncentrethereforeprovidinggoodtransport links.

6.4.3 Parsloes ParkTheparkhasalarge,flatdesignatedeventsspacewithgoodaccessmakingitappealingforavarietyofevents.

TheOneBoroughFestivalisthebiggesteventintheeventscalendarandattractsc10,000people.ThiscommunityfocusedfestivaloccursinJuly,andeventsincludeentertainment,dance,streettheatre,workshopsandfamilyfun.

TheElvisFest,onSunday23July2017,willbea“one-off”tributeconcerttomarkthe40thanniversaryofthedeathofElvisPresleyTheline-upincludesworldclassElvistributeactsaswellasrockandrollbandsandactivitiesincludefood,drink,stalls,ridesandattractions.

6.4.4 Old Dagenham ParkOldDagenhamParkisagoodmediumsizedeventspacewithadedicatedeventsareaandgoodaccessmakingitappealingforavarietyofevents.

TheBarkingSteamandCiderFairtakesplaceinOldDagenhamParkandisanother major part of the local authority summer funded programme which remainsalegacyafterthe50thanniversarycelebrations.Theeventcelebratestheboroughsruralandindustrialheritageandpridesitselfonitstraditionalentertainment which includes steam machines, classic cars, real ale and cider, rides, animal displays and local and tribute bands.

6.4.5 Eastbrookend Country ParkThisisanaturallybeautifulpark,andanyeventsprogrammehereshouldwork closely with the inherent natural features of the park including its lakes, meadows,woodlandsandwetlands.Itisagoodspaceforboutique,artisticandcreativeeventscoveringarangeofareassuchasmusic,wellbeing,food,the arts etc.

Campingcouldbedevelopedinthisparkanditsremotesituationrelativetopopulationcentresmakessmallscaleweekendfestivalstyleeventsanoption.

TheproposedimprovedconnectionswithCentralParkcouldpotentiallyprovideeventorganiserswithaverylargesiteformajorevents.

6.4.6 Mayesbrook ParkAlthough this is a large park, much of the space is either mounded, formed intoswales,formedofsubstantialwaterbodiesorheavilyplantedwithtrees,makingitlesssuitableforevents.However,mediumsizedeventsthatworkalongside features of the park could be successful.

Eventswhichfocusaroundthelakefeaturingactivitiessuchasswimming,kayakingandsailingwouldworkverywellinthisspace.Inaddition,thenaturalfeaturesofthelakecombinedwiththeproposededibleplantingspacesandnew and extended natural features of the park including the natural play area createapositiveatmosphereforeventswhichcelebratetheenvironmentandthe natural world.

Theexistingsportingfacilitiesinadditiontotheproposedboulderingandmultisportareameanthatsportingeventswouldcomplementtheparkwell.

6.4.7 St Chad’s ParkThisparkisagoodmediumsizedmulti-functionspace.Itscombinationofsportingfacilities,orchard,tealawnandnaturalfeaturesmakeitagoodspaceforadiverserangeofsmalltomediumevents.

6.4.8 Abbey GreenThisisabeautifulparkwiththeaddedfeaturesoftheAbbeyRuinsandStMargaret’sChurchformingpartofthesite,givingeventorganisersauniquebackdrop.Thesiteisfilledwithhistorydatingbackto666ADaswellashavingsomeoftheoldesttreesintheboroughandthereforeeventsofanyvarietywhichexplorethisheritageand/orworkwiththenaturalbeautyofthissettingshould be encouraged.

Thesitehasexcellentaccesstothetowncentrethereforeprovidinggoodtransport links.

BarkingFolkFestivaltakesplaceinmultiplelocationsaroundthetownbeforethefinaletakesplaceInAbbeyGreenRuins.Itisalegacyeventfromthe50thanniversarycelebrationsandalocalauthorityfundedmajorsummerevent.Itisdistinctfromothereventsintheboroughinthattheprogrammingisoforiginalactsthatdonotfallintothe‘vintage/covers’category.Thetypesofacts programmed such as Newton Faulkner, Badly Drawn Boy, Seth Lakeman andBeansonToastwouldbeappreciatedatmanywellrespectedfestivalsthroughout the country, both folk and otherwise. In 2016 a respectable 8,000 attendeddespitebadweather.

6.4.9 Valence ParkThe park is linked to Valence House, which is currently the home of the borough’smuseum,heritagestudycentreandlocallibrary.Eventswhichcelebrateandexplorethehistoryoftheboroughandthesiteshouldbeactivelypromoted on this site.


Theparkisagoodspaceforsmalltomediumsizedeventswithadesignatedeventsspace.Theproposedrestorationoftheoriginalbandstandwouldprovideagreatfocusforeventsinthisspace.

Theproposednewplayfacilitiesaswellasextendedcaféfacilitiesmakeitanappealingspaceforsmallscalecommunityfamilyevents.

Overall Use of these parksEachparklistedaboveshouldbeusedasthepriorityspacesforeventsintheborough,howevertheeventsteamhavetheflexibilitytoofferoutotherspaces on a case by case basis.

Eachparkshouldnotcontainmorethan3xmajor(5,000+audience)eventsper year.

EachparkshouldbelistedintheEventGuidancepackwithanaccompanying map.

6.5 COMMUNITY EVENTSCurrentlymostoftheprogrammeofeventsintheboroughismanagedbythelocalauthoritywithasmallnumberofcommunityeventsbeingsupportedinavarietyofwaysfromhandsonsupporttotheoverseeingofrequiredpaperwork.

Allowingthecommunitytoimagine,createanddelivereventscanbeaninspiringwaytoencouragestrongercommunitiesdeliveringthetypeofeventstheywanttosee,encouragecivicparticipation,assistinwellbeing,helpformrobustnetworksandwitheffectivesystemscreateadiverseculturalofferwithouttheboroughhavingtodoallthedeliverythemselves.

CreativeBarkingandDagenham(CB&D)arebuildinganextremelysuccessfulmodel through their Cultural Connectors programme which supports 150 localresidentstobethedecisionmakersandadvocatesfortheorganisation.Throughtheirannualprogrammesince2013,36,000opportunitiestoparticipateorengagewiththeartshavebeentakenup,850creativeeventsandworkshopshavebeendelivered,80communitygroupshaveengagedand45differentprojectshavereceived£470,000fundingbetweenthem.Astheymoveintophasetwooftheirprogrammebetween2017–2020thereisanopportunitytodevelopastrongerpartnershipbetweentheboroughandCB&DtoencouragemoreofthecommunitytodelivereventsandtoallowtheboroughtofocusonincomegeneratingeventsbyallowingCB&Dtotakeovermoremanagementofcommunityeventapplications.Thereisanexistingstrong,clearandeffectiverelationshipbetweenCB&Dandtheeventsteamwhichisastrongfoundationonwhichtobuild.

Externalfundingcouldbesoughtorsomeincomefromcommercialeventscouldbering-fencedtosupportbursariesforcommunityactivitywhichresidentscouldbidfortodeliverevents.Thiswillallowthecouncileventsteamtofocustheirtimeonencouragingcommercialeventorganiserstousetheborough,managethoseprojectsandcontinuetodeveloplarge-scalecouncil-ledcommunityeventsincludingincreasingincomegeneratedfromtheseeventswhilstensuringcommunityorganisersstillhaveaccesstoprofessionalsupport.

CurrentlymajoreventsproceedthroughtheSAG(SafetyAdvisoryGroup)boardwhichgrantspermissiontodeliverevents.MostparticipantsintheSAGprocessfinditverybeneficialinrespectofcompletingformalitiesandunderstandingresponsibilities.Smallereventsthatdonothavetoundertakethisprocessarelessclearoftheirroles,responsibilitiesandlegalobligations.

Theimplementationofa‘MiniSAG’processwillensurethelocalauthorityisconfidentthatsmalleventorganisersandcommunitygroupsaredeliveringsafe,competenteventswhilstalsoprovidingsomestructureanddeadlinesforthesesmallergroupstohelpensurethesmoothrunningoftheireventandtomakesuretheyhavethoughtaboutallelements.ThesesessionswillbeaddedtoontotheendofthemonthlySAGmeetingsonthe1stWednesdayofthemonthwiththeEventsTeamandCreativeBarkingandDagenhamalsoattendingthenecessaryattendees.TheSAGmeetingsareunlikelytoinvolveemergencyservices,TransportforLondonorSecurityServices,butmayonoccasionifnecessaryincludeofficersfromdepartmentssuchaslicensing.

6.6 STRENGTHENING THE EVENTS PROCESSES The current methodology of working with commercial third party users is on a case by case basis and this strategy aims to implement a coherent system and pathwaysfordevelopingthirdpartyrelationshipsandincreasingcommercialbookings.

TheimplementationoftheEventGuidancePackwillbekeytostreamliningprocessesinvolvedforcommunityandcommercialpartnershipsandallowsallpotentialeventorganiserstobefinanciallyawareoftheimplicationsofdeliveringaneventintheboroughfromtheoutset.

KeyelementsoftheEventGuidancePackwillinclude:

• TheintroductionofanapplicationwindowbetweenNovemberandFebruarytoprioritiseeventdeliveryinthebusiersummermonthsandtheplanningandorganisationofabalancedprogrammeinthewintermonths.

• Theintroductionofasetfeesystembasedonsizeofeventandthenatureoftheeventorganizer(commercial,charityetc).

• Clarificationofallassociatedfees–applicationfees,bookingfees,parkhirefee,buildandde-rigdayfees,environmentalimpactfeesandgroundsrefundable deposits.

• Clearproceduresintermsofresponsibilities,licensing,Health&Safety,environmentalregulations,insuranceandSafetyAdvisoryGroupprocedures(includingtheintroductionofa‘MiniSAG’forsmallerevents).

• Aclearcontactslisttoensureorganiserscanclarifyanyquestionsandreachthecorrectdepartmentsquicklyandefficiently.

• Alleventapplicationsmustcontainanagreementtoundertakeaposteventevaluation.

Itshouldbenotedforallthepointsabovethattheeventsteamshouldholdtheflexibilityandrighttoalteranyapplicationwindow,fees,timingsetc..toproducethehighestquality,incomegeneratingandbalancedrangeofeventsacross the year.

TheEventGuidancePackmustbeanattractive,visualdocumentthatencourages commercial users to the borough whilst ensuring all that organisers areawareofthesignificantresponsibilitiesthatcomewithorganizinganevent.

Oncecompletean‘openforbusiness’marketingdriveshouldbeconductedtoencouragecommercialeventorganiserstoconsiderBarkingandDagenhamasadestinationfortheirmajorevents.

Inanydriveforcommercialorganiserstheoptionofareductionoffees,useofexistinglicensingandinfrastructure(power,wateretc..)anddonationofcouncilservicessuchasstaffing,wasteremovalandinstantresponseteamsshouldbeconsideredandpromotedinexchangeforthecommercialorganiserinvestingininfrastructurethatcanbedonatedtoacouncilrunevent(e.g.staging,PAandLightingEquipment,fencingetc..)onafollowingday.

Ideally,theapplicationsystemshouldmovetoanon-lineapplicationassoonas possible to further streamline and manage the process. The local authority alreadyuses‘Filmapp’toprocessfilmapplicationsintheboroughandifpossibleshouldmovetowardsusing‘Eventapp’bythesamecompanytoprocesseventapplications.

Asgeneratingincomefromeventsbecomesapriority,therelationshipbetweenincome and local needs should be addressed. We must be able to demonstrate toresidentsadirectbenefitbackintothecommunityandopenspacesfromincomebeingraisedthroughanincreaseincommercialevents.Beyondtheenvironmentalimpactfee(whichwouldgodirectlytotheparkorgreenspacewheretheeventisheld),onethirdofthefeewillbeallocateddirectlytotheparkoropenspacewheretheeventtookplaceandintothecommunitybursaryandmanagementfundandtwothirdswillreverttotheadministrationandtosupporttheachievementoftheoverallincometargetfortheeventsservice.Thisfeesplitwouldonlyapplytopurelycommercialeventsandnottocouncil-runcommunityeventswheretheincomewouldbe100%allocatedtoachievingincome targets.

Increasingincomeatcouncil-runcommunityeventsshouldbeexplored.Areastoconsidermayinclude;ticketingsomeevents;paidcarparkingatallevents;increasingsponsorship;increasingthenumberofeventswithbarsandexploringnewconcessionopportunities.

Threedifferentartisticareasforcommercialeventshavebeenidentifiedforevents,theseare;MusicandFestivals,Theatre,DanceandCircusandFilm/TVIndustry.

Music and Festivals:• Asevidencedintheexistingeventspattern,thereisscopefortheparks

andopenspaceswithintheboroughtomusicandfestivals.Thesetypesofeventareamongstthelargestscalethattheboroughcoulddevelopandmustbecarefullymanagedtoavoidanyreputationalissues.

• Central,Barking,ParsloesandEastbrookendallholdgreatpotentialtohostmusicandfestivaleventswiththeexistinginfrastructure,accessandgeographicallocationmakingthemattractivepropositions.

• Largescalecommercialeventsofthiskindmayintegratebetterintothecommunityifconnectionsaresoughtbetweentheprogrammingandtheinterests/needsoftheborough.Forexample,ifthereisagrowingdesire


forfamilyevents,afamilyfriendlyfestivalwithplentyofparticipatoryactivitycouldwork.

• PartnershipswithLondon-widemusicfestivalssuchastheLondonJazzFestivalarealsoencouragedsothataudiencesbegintogetusedtovisitingthe borough

Theatre, Dance and Circus:• Thelarger,moreflatareasinCentral,BarkingandMayesbrookwouldbe

wellsuitedtohostinglargetentsorarenasfortheatre,dance,circusandarena shows.

• The proposed ampitheatre mounding at Central Park would be a great audience space for outdoor work of this nature.

• Withtheatreanddance,aneventismorelikelytobesuccessfulifthereisafestivalorseasonofshowsthatutilisetheonespaceandcanbuildupareputationoveraperiod.Manyboroughshost‘popup’seasonsofworkfromhighprofilecompaniessuchastheRoyalShakespeareCompany,theNationalTheatre,RambertBalletandtheEnglishNationalBalletandthereispotentialtorunsimilareventsinBarkingandDagenham.

• ThechallengewiththistypeofeventisLBBD’sproximitytoLondon,manyoftheeventsarehostedonayear-roundbasis.However,amixedseasonofworkwhereviewerscanseedifferentcompaniesanddifferenttypesofwork may encourage more people in the capital to come to the borough foraspecialevent.

• PartnershipswithLondon-wideartsfestivalssuchastheThamesFestival,LIFTandtheLondonInternationalMimeFestivalarealsoencouragedsothataudiencesbegintogetusedtovisitingtheborough.

Film/TV Industry:• ThefilmandTVindustryisalucrativeonebutonethatisincreasingly

running out of space in London. Some of the parks and open spaces in LBBDprovideaperfectcountrybackdropwithoutfilmcrewshavingtotraveltoofar.

• Thereispotentialfortheparksandopenspacestobehiredaslocationsforfilm,televisionandphotographyshoots.

• The Film Barking and Dagenham website should be updated to include all relevantparks.

Inadditiontocommercialopportunitieswithintheartsthereareanumberofparksandopenspacesthatlendthemselvesnaturallytocommercialeventsthattieinwithexistingprovisionsandcanhelpaddressthechallenginghealthstatisticsintheborough.Thesehavebeenbrokendownthematicallyintothreeareas;SportingandPhysicalActivityEvents,FoodandGrowingEventsandHealthandWellbeingEvents.

Sporting and Physical Activity Events: • WiththeexistingandproposedsportingfacilitiesinCentral,Barking,

MayesbrookandStChad’sparksthesewouldbeidealspacestohosteithercommercialorcommunityfocusedsportingeventssupportingexerciseaspartofanactivelifestyle.

• OldDagenhamParkhasthepotentialtoprovideamuch-neededeventsplatformcateringforyoungpeopleintheborough.Thiscouldworkon

acommercialorcommunitylevel,usingurbansportssuchasBMXandskatingtoencourageyoungpeopletoengagewithphysicalactivity.

Food and Growing Events:• ThehorticulturalandgrowingzonesinBarkingandCentralParkswillopen

uppotentialforfoodandgrowingevents.Havingthisasalocalassetforexternaleventstoreflect,withanexistingaudiencebasewouldbeanattractiveofferandcouldactasaspringboardforthegrowthoffood-basedactivities.Commercialfoodfairsandmarketscouldcomfortablysit within both parks and there could also be the possibility of exploring andcelebratingtheborough’srichdiversityofculturethroughfoodbasedevents.LinkingEastbrookendCountryFairtoafoodandgrowingeventinCentralParkcouldopenanopportunityforaverylargescalefood,growingandcountryfestival.

• Withtheinclusionofnewcafesandfoodgrowingprovisionswithinmanyoftheparksandopenspacesmasterplans,thepotentialexistsforthecreationofhubsforthedevelopmentofcommunityeventsfocusedonfood.Cafescanalsoprovidescopetouncoverlocalspecialtygrowersandproducers and put the borough on the map as a leading producer.

Health and Wellbeing Events:• Wellnessisoneofthelargest,fastestgrowingandresilientmarketshaving

grownby10.6%overthetwopreviousyears.• ThusitisoneofthefastestgrowingareasintheeventssectorandLBBD’s

naturallybeautifulandnaturalisticparksandopenspaceswouldmakeideallocationsforhealthandwellbeing-basedevents.

• ThelargerareasinCentral,BarkingandValancehavethepotentialtohostlargebelltents,canvasstretchtentsanddomesthatcouldholdarangeofhealthandwellbeingactivityincludingyoga,pilates,meditation,relaxation,massageandalternativetherapy.Thereishugepotentialforahighendcommercialhireforaneventofthistimeandthenaturallandscapingoftheparksandopenspacescreatetheperfectsetting.

• Onasmallerscale,thereisalsopotentialtohostcommunityhealthandwellbeingevents,utilisinganyexistinggroupswithinthecommunityandbringing them together in any of the parks and opens spaces in LBBD.

Inadditiontotheopportunitiesoutlinedintheartsandphysicalactivitiesheritageeventscouldalsobeexploredasdetailedbelow.

Heritage stories of site/events:• Valence House and Park has excellent recorded heritage and is the home

oftheborough’smuseum.Thereareagoodrangeofexistingeventsbutthesetakeplacemainlyinthehouseandcouldpotentiallymakemoreuseof the park. There are a number of heritage stories associated with this parkandthebandstand,inparticular,whichcouldbeapositivefocusforevents.

• Usingeventstouncoveraparticularhistoryorheritageofaspecificparkoropenspacecanbeapositivewayofreinforcinglocalidentity

• EastburyManorHouse,althoughnotlistedasapriorityparkforevents,isalsosituatedwithintheboroughandtherecouldalsobealinktoeventsconnectedtothisbuilding.EastburyManorisaNationalTrustsiteand

thereisacurrentpushtoincreasevisitorstothesesiteswithinLondon,asmoretraditionally,theNationalTrustaudiencetendstobedrawntofromnon-urbancommunities.ThereisscopeforthedevelopmentofaseriesofeventsthatworkinpartnershipwiththeNationalTrustdrawingpeopletowards Eastbury Manor and nearby parks and open spaces.

Faith Events:• TheCouncilwantstoencourageandinitiateeventswhichinvolve

communityparticipationanddelivery.

• AsoneofLondon’smostdiverseboroughswewantourparkstohostavibranteventsandactivitiesprogrammethatreflectsthevariedlifestyles,beliefsandinterestsofthepeoplewholivehere.ThiswillhelptoachievetheCouncil’svisiontocreateaplacewherepeopleunderstand,respectandcelebrateeachother’sdifferences

• OurdiversityasaBoroughissomethinginwhichweshouldbeproud,something we should celebrate and not tolerate. We intend to build on thesuccessofthecultural,sportingandreligiouseventsheldinrecentyearsbyfaithorganisations,liketheGurdwaraandBarkingMosquein Barking Park and the Bethel Church in Parsloes Park, by welcoming applicationsfromfaithgroupstoholdeventsintheBorough’sparks.

EVENTS WHICH WOULD AUTOMATICALLY NOT BE GRANTED APPROVAL IN BARKING AND DAGENHAM’s PARKS AND OPEN SPACES:

• Applicationstohireparksandopenspaceswillnotbeacceptedfromorganisationsorindividualsthatpromoteanypoliticalcampaigns,promotecontroversialissueswhichmaybedamagingtocommunityrelationships,areillegaloroffensivetothepublicorbreachtheCouncil’sequalityanddiversitystrategy.

Furtherreasonsforrefusalmayinclude:

• Anyeventwhichislikelytohaveanunacceptableimpactontheinfrastructureandbiodiversityoftheselectedsite.

• Anyeventwhichdoesnotprovideadequatedocumentationorcertificationandcannotdemonstratethroughthisprocessthatitshouldprogresstothenextstageoftheapplicationprocess.

• AnyeventwhichisnotabletodemonstratetotheBoroughSafetyAdvisoryGroupthatitcanbedeliveredinasafeandefficientmanner.

• AnyeventwhichisrefusedsupportbyoneoftheEmergencyServices.

• Anyeventwhichdiscriminatesagainstanyindividualorgrouponthegroundsofrace,religion,gender,sexualorientationordisability.Thisaspectwillspecificallyincludeanycharity,communityorcommercialticketedeventwhereanyoftheabovegroupsorindividualsareexcludedor refused entrance.

• Any circus that includes performing animals.

• TheCouncilreservestherighttorefuseanyapplicationwithoutstatingtheirreasonfordoingsoandreservestherighttoimposeconditionsregarding a booking.


6.7 LICENSING OF PARKS AND INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTUREIt is recommended that Premises Licences are procured for Mayesbrook, Eastbrookend,AbbeyGreen,StChad’sandValenceparks.Barking,Parsloes,OldDagenhamandCentralParksalreadyhavePremisesLicenses.Thiswillenablegreaterandsafereventmanagement,whilstalsoprovidingapremiseslicencetolocalcommunitygroupsandcharityorganisationswhomustnormallyapplytocouncilforindividuallicencestocovertheirevents.

Itisanticipatedthatbyhavingalicencethatcoversalloutdooreventsinthesespaceswecanofferaconsistentframeworktorespondtotherequirementsofeventsorganisers.ThiswillalsoensurethattheprogrammeisplannedandconfirmedfurtherinadvancetogivethelocalresidentsandtheSAGgroupmoretimetoconsiderspecificeventproposalsintheknowledgethatcertainrequirementswillalreadyhavebeenmade.

Thefinancialcostsforthepremiseslicenceswillberecoupedfromourcommercialeventclientsshouldtheywishtouseoureventspremiseslicences(whichwillhavesetconditions).

Itisrecommendedthateachpremiseslicencestipulatesthatnomorethan3majorevents(5,000attendeesormore)takeplaceineachlicensedparkeveryyear.

It is recommended that permanent water and electricity points are installed in theseparkstoencourageusebyeventorganisers.

6.8 DELIVERY ELEMENTS6.8.1 Noise Restrictions LevelsNoiselevelswillbesetaspartofthePremiseLicenseforeachPark.NoisemanagementmustbeincludedinanyeventorganisersEventManagementPlan which should include a detailed account of the nopise generated by each area of the site and what monitoring procedures will be in place to ensure noiseiskepttoanacceptablelevel.

6.8.2 Local Resident Impact

Aspartoftheevent applicationprocessasoutlinedintheEventGuidancePackalleventorganiserswillneedtoengageinconsultationprocesseswithstakeholderssuchaslocalclubsandorganisationsbasedintheparks,‘Friendsof’groupsandlocalresidents.

Thesemayincludeattendingformalmeetingswithstakeholdersorwritingtolocalresidentstoinformthemoftheactivitiesplanned.

Eventswhichactivelyworkalongsidethelocalcommunitiesbothlocatedinthe parks and residents surrounding the parks will be encouraged.

6.8.3 Environmental ImpactThepreservationoftheparksandopenspacesisoftheutmostimportancewhenconsideringanyeventsandensuringminimalnegativeenvironmentalimpactandwherepossibleapositiveenvironmentalimpactisapriority.

PetrolGeneratorswillnottobepermittedatanyeventandproofwillberequiredthatdieselgeneratorshavebeenorganized.

Agroundsdepositofaminimumof£500forsmallevents,risingto£10,000forlargeeventswillbeimplemented.Thegroundsdepositcanberetainedinpartorfullbasedonthedecisionoftheeventsteam,environmentalservicesandtheparksteamsifthesiteisnotreturnedintheconditionprevailingatthe beginning of the hire agreement.

Eventorganiserswillberesponsibleforallwasteincluding,butnotlimitedto,cardboard,paper,packaging,cans,plastic,foodwastefromvisitorsandconcessionaires, water waste and human waste.

GlasswillnotbepermittedforanyeventinanyoftheboroughsParksandOpenSpaces.

Eventorganisersthatshowintheirplanningacommitmenttorecyclingsitewaste as well as the use of biodegradable and sustainable products will be viewedpositively.EventorganiserswillhavetodemonstrateintheirEventPlanthattheyhavethoughtthroughthenumberofwastebinsrequiredandhowoftentheseareemptiedthroughtheeventinadditiontohowmanylitterpickersareemployedtocoverthesiteforthedurationoftheevent.

Theboroughisabletoprovidelitterpickingservicesandwasteremovalservicesanditwillconsiderprovidingtheseservicesfreeofchargeinexchangeforcommercialeventorganiserssharinginfrastructurewithcouncil-managedeventsoverthecourseofthesameweekend.

AnywatersupplyinstallationsmustadheretotheWaterSupply(WaterFittings)Regulations.IftheeventorganisersareusingasupplywhichalreadyexistsinthePark,topreventanycontamination,theymustreceiveauthorizationfromthelocalauthoritytoaccessanywaterpoint,sewagetankorsewagedischargepoints,agreetotheproceduresinvolvedintheiruseandsupply an agreed deposit to gain access to the required keys.

Anadequatenumberofportabletoiletswillhavetobeprovided,forthecomfortofattendeesandtopreventhumanwastebeingleftanywhereonthesite.

FulldetailsofenvironmentalrequirementswillbedetailedintheEventGuidance Pack.

Theenvironmentalimpactfeefromanybookingwillbeinvesteddirectlyintotheparkoropenspacethattheeventoccurredin.InadditionanycommercialbookingwillinvestonthirdoftheprofitmadebyLBBDtotheparkoropenspaceinwhichtheeventoccurredaswellasfundingtheCommunitybursary and management fund.

6.9 STRUCTURE AND WORKING PRACTICES6.9.1 Determining the size of an event and setting FeesTable6.1onthefollowingpage,showstheclassificationsofthesizeofanevent.

Tostreamlinetheprocessofdealingwitheventsitisimperativeasystemisestablishedtodeterminethesizeofanevent.Thisprocesswillallowtheboroughtoimplementthenewfeesystemaswellasdifferentiatebetweenthose which must go through the full SAG process, those who will require the‘miniSAG’processandhowmuchofficertimeisrequiredtoensurethesuccessfuldeliveryoftheevent.

Thesefiguresareforguidanceonlyandtheboroughreservestherighttoalterandamendthefeeswithoutnoticeandtorespondtoeacheventonacasebycase basis.

A25%discountwillbeavailabletocharitiesandcommunityorganisationsbased in Barking and Dagenham.

Cancellationfeeswillapplytoallbookings.

TheeventapplicationprocessesisdescribedindetailintheEventGuidancePack.

Keytimingstonoteare:• EventApplicationwindowisNovembertoFebruary.• EventApplicationsshouldbesubmitted3to9monthsbeforetheevent

dependingonthesizeoftheevent.• Acknowledgementofallapplicationsshouldbemadewithin10working

days.• Applicationsshouldthenbereviewed,referencessoughtandaninitial

meetingsetupwiththeeventsteamwithin4weeks.• Anagreementinprinciplewhichwouldthenmovetheproposalforward

toSAG(mediumtolargeeventsonly)orarefusalwillthenfollowwithin10daysofthemeetingdatewiththeeventteam.

• PresentationtoSAG(mediumtolargeeventsonly)ontheclosestpossible1st Wednesday of the month.

• SAGhave5daystorespondandthenagreementssignedsubjecttoT&C’s.

• Licenseapplication(3monthsforPremisesor10daysforTEN).• 2monthsbeforeeventattendSAGtosubmitEventManagementPlanand

submitallnecessaryformsandinformation.SmallereventstoattendminiSAG. All fees to be paid.


6.9.2 Event Planning - Licensing Process, insurance and Risk ManagementForeventsthatarenottakingplaceinaparkalreadycoveredwithaPremisesLicence,theeventorganiserwillberesponsibleforapplyingforthecorrectlicenceiftheeventincludesanyofthefollowinglicensableactivities.

• The sale of alcohol.• Musical performance.• Film screenings.• Dance, plays or theatrical performances.• Indoor sports.• Servingofhotfoodbetween11pmand5am.

Eventswithover499attendeesincludingstaff,volunteersandperformerswillneedtoapplyforaPremisesLicence.Eventswithunder499attendeescanapplyforaTemporaryEventNotice(TEN).

Eventorganisersmustholdcoverof£5millionPublicLiabilityinsuranceforsmalltomediumeventsand£10millionforlargeevents,funfair’s,circusorfireworkdisplays.

Iftheeventorganiseremploysanystaffwhoreportdirectlytothem,thenEmployer’sLiabilityof£5millionmustbeheld.Thisshouldalsoberequestedfromanysub-contractorswhohasmorethanfivemembersofstaff.

Itistheresponsibilityoftheeventorganisertoensurethatallparticipantsintheevent–stallholders,sub-contractors,performersetc.holdappropriatePublicLiabilityinsuranceandthisshouldbeincludedinthefinalEventManagement Plan.

Theeventorganiserwillhaveprimeresponsibilityforprotectingthehealth,safetyandwelfareofeveryoneworkingat,orattending,theeventundertheHealthandSafetyatWorkActandotherrelatedActsandregulations.TheeventorganisermustdevelopaformaleventHealthandSafetyManagementPlan(alsoknownastheEventsManagementPlan[EMP])andkeepafileofsupportinginformation.Afullriskassessmentmustbecarriedoutforallevents.Thisisalegalrequirementandiskeytomanagingrisk.TheriskassessmentshouldbeincludedintheeventorganisersEMP.EmergencyandcontingencyplansmustalsobesubmittedaspartoftheEMP.

Fullguidanceonresponsibilities,HealthandSafetyandRiskAssessmentsareincludedintheEventGuidancePack.

6.10 CONCLUSIONThestrategyaimstobuildonthecurrentsuccessfuleventprogrammeinBarkingandDagenhambydeliveringabalancedprogrammeofeventswhichaimtomaketheboroughaculturaldestinationbyincreasingcommunityownershipofevents,showcasingtheuniquenatureofindividualparksandspaces,increasinganincomestreamfromeventsandbuildingpartnershipswiththirdpartyprovidersandexistingserviceswithinparkstobenefitresidents,thelocalauthorityandtheculturalsector.Asuccessfuleventsprogrammeshouldaddresslocalneedswhilstencouragingvisitorsfromoutside the borough to experience the many assets that the parks and open spacesofBarkingandDagenhamhavetooffer.

Commercial EventsSize NoofAttendees ApplicationFee Site Hire Fee ExtraEventDays Build/DeRig

daysEnvironmentalFee

Grounds Deposit (refundable)

Small Up to 500 £100 £750 £225 £37.50 £100 £500Small(2) Up to 1000 £100 £1,500 £450 £75 £150 £500Medium Up to 5000 £100 £7,500 £2,250 £375 £750 £1,000Large Up to 15,000 £100 £22,500 £6,750 £1,125 £2000 £4,000Large(2) Up to 40,000 £100 £60,000 £18,000 £3,000 £5000 £10,000

Notes:• Applicationfee-Thisisanadministeredfeetoprocesstheapplicationform.Nonrefundable.• SiteHireFee-Chargedat£1.50perheadonthemaximumnumberofattendeesforthefirstoperationaldayoftheevent.Whenpaidwillconfirmtheuseof

thespaceonthedate(s)required• ExtraEventDaysfee–Chargedat30%ofSiteHireFee• Build/de-rigdays-Chargedat5%oftheSiteHireFeeandleviedperday.• GroundsdamagedepositChargedatflatrate.Refundablesubjecttoterms.• EnvironmentimpactfeeChargedataflatrate.NonRefundable.• Premium Venues are subject to hire fees.

Charity / Community EventsSize NoofAttendees ApplicationFee Site Hire Fee per day EnvironmentalFee Grounds Deposit

(refundable)Small Up to 500 £25 £250 £50 £500Small(2) Up to 1000 £25 £500 £100 £500Medium Up to 5000 £25 £2,500 £250 £750Large Up to 15,000 £25 £5,500 £500 £1,000Large(2) Up to 40,000 £25 £10,000 £1,000 £2,000

Notes• Applicationfee-Thisisanadministeredfeetoprocesstheapplicationform.Nonrefundable.SiteHirefee-Dailyhirerate(includingbuild/derigdays)

Chargedat£0.50perheadonthemaximumnumberofattendeestohiretheparkoropenspace.• Groundsdamagedeposit-Chargedataflatfee.Refundablesubjecttoterms.• Environmentimpactfee-Chargedataflatfee.NonRefundable.• Premiumvenuesaresubjecttohigherrates.

Table 6.1 - Size of an event and setting fees


PLAY PROVISION IN BARKING AND DAGENHAM

77.1 EVIDENCE BASE ON OUTDOOR PLAY AND ITS BENEFITSOutdoorplayisanessentialingredientofahappy,healthychildhoodanditsimportanceisenshrinedininternationalconventionsonchildren’srights.TherighttoplayissetoutinArticle31ofthe1989UnitedNationsConventionontheRightsoftheChild,whichtheUKgovernmentratifiedin1989.In2013,theUNstatedthatthisrightshouldbesecured“incollaborationwithchildrenthemselves,aswellasNGOsandcommunity-basedorganisations.”Italsocalledonlocalgovernmentto“assessprovisionofplayandrecreationfacilitiestoguaranteeequalityofaccess”(UnitedNationsCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild2013).

Thebenefitsofoutdoorplaytochildren’shealth,well-beingandemotionalandsocialdevelopmentarewell-researched.Bycreatingwelcoming,stimulating,enjoyableplacesforplay,goodparksandplayspacesmakearealdifferencetochildren’slives.Theyalsohelptosupportfamiliesandbuildmorecohesivecommunities(seeGill2014aforasummary).

7.1.1 Physical activityThereisstrongevidencethataccesstogoodplayopportunitieshelpstoimprovelevelsofphysicalactivityandhencetacklechildobesity(NationalInstituteforHealthandCareExcellence2015;CavillandRutter2013).Studiesconsistentlyshowthatchildrenwhoplayoutdoorsaremorephysicallyactive,andthatplayfacilitieshelptoraiseactivitylevels.SomestudiessuggestagreaterimpactthansportorPEinitiatives(MackettandPaskins2008).

7.1.2 Learning and social and emotional developmentThereisalsogoodevidenceoflinksbetweenoutdoorplayexperiencesandarangeofimprovementsinacademicskills,attitudesandbehaviour,andtoimprovedsocialskills,socialrelationsbetweendifferentethnicgroups,andbetteradjustmenttoschoollife.TheCentresforDiseaseControlandPrevention(theleadingUSFederalhealthagency)reviewedstudiesofthelinksbetweenschoolrecess(breaktimes)andacademicperformance.Thisfound“positiveassociationsbetweenrecessandindicatorsofcognitiveskills,attitudes,andacademicbehaviour”(CentresforDiseaseControlandPrevention2010).Anotherreviewfoundthatplaytimes“bothmaximisestudents’attentiontosubsequentclassworkandfacilitatechildren’speerrelationshipsastheymakethetransitionintoprimaryschool”(Pellegrini2009).Athirdstatedthat“gamesandplaygroundactivitiesareparticularlyimportantforthedevelopmentofawiderangeofskillsassociatedwithinteractionswithpeopleofsimilarstatus,includingsocial-cognitiveskills...Thisissimplybecausethereappeartobefewopportunitiesfortheseskillsandrelationshipstobedevelopedelsewhereinsideoroutsideofschoolwithoutthepresenceofapotentiallyover-dominatingadult”(BainesandBlatchford2010).Alongitudinalstudybysomeofthesameresearchersfoundthat“playgroundactivitiescanhaveapositiveroleinsocialrelationsbetweendifferentethnicgroups”(Blatchfordetal2003).

Evidencealsoshowsthatspendingtimeinnaturalenvironmentsislinkedwithhealthydevelopment,wellbeingandpositiveenvironmentalattitudesandvalues.Onesystematicreviewconcludedthatexperiencesofnatureshouldbeseenaspartofa“balanceddiet”ofchildhoodexperiences(Gill2011;Gill2014b).

[3 case studies on play provision and physical activity]

A study of children in Bristol used GPS and accelerometers to measure activity within green environments for children aged 11 to 12, including tracking activities in two parks with play facilities. The results showed that the parks “were used for as much as 30 per cent of outdoors moderate-vigorous activity at weekends and use was consistent across seasons” (Lachowycz et al 2012).

A Danish study also used accelerometers, to measure physical activity in children aged from five to 12 years from schools with different permanent play facilities (such as adventure play equipment, swings, trees, playground marking, courts and sandpits). The study found that “the number of permanent play facilities in schools … was positively associated with all measures of activity” and concluded that “increasing the number of permanent play facilities at schools may offer a cost-effective and sustainable option for increasing physical activity in young children” (Nielsen et al 2010).

A Canadian study using GIS data found that “children with a park playground within 1 km were almost five times more likely to be classified as being of a healthy weight rather than at risk or overweight compared to those children without playgrounds in nearby parks.” It concluded that “availability of certain park facilities may play a more important role in promoting physical activity and healthy weight status among children than availability of park space in general” (Potwarka et al 2008).

[Case study on the benefits of contact with nature]

American researchers found significant improvements in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) after a 20-minute guided walk in a green outdoor space, compared to the same amount of time spent in other settings (Faber Taylor and Kuo 2009). Studies have also found benefits in the motor development of pre-school children with access to natural space, compared to those who use a more conventional playground (Fjortoft 2004; Scholz and Krombholz 2007). A British study of a forest school programme found significant improvements in mood after forest school, in terms of reductions in levels of anger. The improvement was greatest for children with behaviour problems (Roe 2009). Another British study found strong associations between childhood patterns of visits to green places and willingness to visit such places as an adult. People who often visited green places as children are more likely to associate natural areas with feeling energetic, and more likely to visit alone in their adult life (Ward Thompson et al 2008).


7.1.3 Mental healthTherearestrongargumentsforthementalhealthbenefitsofoutdoorplay.TheMentalHealthFoundationstatesonitswebsitethat“havingtimeandthefreedom to play, indoors and outdoors” helps to promote good mental health (MentalHealthFoundationundated).Playasasignificantroleinfosteringresiliencethroughgivingchildrenmanagedopportunitiestotakerisks.Inher2012AnnualReportChiefMedicalOfficerDameSallyDaviesstated:

“We need to develop strategies to enable young people to be able to mount successful responses against life’s challenges, and to do this we need to inoculate them and thus develop resilience. By exposing young people to low doses of challenges, in safe and supported environments, we strengthen their ability to act effectively later in life”(ChiefMedicalOfficer2013:seealsoPlayWales2015andLesterandRussell2007).

7.1.4 Community and family benefitsAswellasbenefitstochildren,thereisalsoevidencethatplayprovisionbringsbenefitstocommunitiesandfamilies.Inmixedanddiversecommunities,childrenandservicesforthemprovideakeyfocusforbuildingcohesive,sociallyinclusiveneighbourhoods.AreportfromtheJosephRowntreeFoundationstates:

“Studies of mixed income communities show that most mixing across social groups takes place between children. It is these contacts – in nurseries, playgroups, schools and in public spaces – that provide opportunities for adults to meet and form relationships. Children provide a common ground and shared interest between people in different tenures. People with children have a high stake in the success of a neighbourhood and the quality of its services”(JosephRowntreeFoundation2006).

Onepracticalcommunityoutcomefromplayfacilitiesisareductioninanti-socialbehaviourandvandalism.AnevaluationofCommunitySpaces,a£57.5millionBigLotteryFundprogrammerunbyGroundworkUK(inwhichplaygroundsandyouthrecreationspaceswereamajorcomponent)concluded

that“all‘majorissue’indicatorshaveimprovedsincethecompletionoftheprojects,withthemostsignificantreductionbeingantisocialbehaviourandvandalism”(HallAitken2013).ApracticeguideproducedbyThamesValleyPolicereportedsignificantreductionsinvandalismandpettycrimefollowingtheinstallationofplayfacilitiesandyouthshelters.

ResearchfromtheUSAshowsalinkbetweenplayprovisionandfamilywell-being.TheAmericannon-profitagencyKaBOOM!studiedparentalattitudesaboutplaygrounds,andfoundlinkstoself-reportedmeasuresoffamilywell-being.Thesurveyshowed“three-quartersofparentsagreethatthemoretimetheyspendtogetherataplayground,thebettertheirsenseoffamilywell-being.Furthermore,parentswholivenearaplaygroundandvisitoftenwiththeirchildreporthigherlevelsoffamilywell-beingthanparentswhodonotlivenearaplaygroundordonotvisitplaygroundsoften”(KaBOOM!undated).

7.1.5 Location and designLocation,accessibilityandconnectivity(onfootandbybike/scooter/pushchairandbypublictransport)arecrucialinattractinguserstoplayfacilitiesandsustaininguse.A2016Canadianstudyof9-to13-year-oldchildrenusedGPStechnologytotrackchildren’spedestrian-basedneighbourhoodactivity.Participantsmostoftheirout-of-schooltime(75%)intheirneighbourhoods,with94.5%ofspentwithinashortdistanceofhome(LoebachandGilliland2016).TwoEnglishstudiesofplayonhousingestates-onefrom2016andtheotherfrom1997–echothesefindings.The2016study(whichlookedatarangeofoutdooractivitybypeopleofallages)foundwidevariationsinthelevelofactivityacross10estates,withchildrenbeingactiveandvisibleinsome.Italsofoundthat“thelayoutofadevelopmentmayhaveasignificantimpactonhowwellspacesareused”(Bornat2016).Theearlierstudyconcludedthat“estateswhichstimulatethewidestrangeofplayactivityandsatisfactionamongstchildrenandparentsarethosewithfootpathnetworks,culs-de-saclayout,publicopenspacesandplayareas”(WhewayandMillward1997).

Thedesignandlayoutofplayprovisionisalsoimportanttousersofallages.In-depthqualitativeresearchwithparentsandchildrenhasshownthatspaceswitharangeofplayfacilitiesandoffersthatcaterforchildrenofdifferentages,andthatallowforfamiliestovisittogether,arehighlyvalued(Wallaceetal2009).

7.2 BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR LEARNING IN NATURAL SPACESThereisgrowinginterestintheroleofgreenspaceinsupportingchildren’slearning,andastrongevidencebase.A2016evaluationbyPlymouthUniversityofamajorNaturalEnglandinitiativeshowedthatlearningoutdoorsinnaturalenvironmentshasmultiplebenefitsforschoolchildren(NaturalEngland2016).Childrenwerehappier,healthierandmoremotivatedtolearnasaresultoflearningoutside,includinginlocalparksandgreenspaces.The4-year‘NaturalConnections’initiativeranin125schoolsacrosstheSouthWestofEngland,focusedmainlyonareasofdeprivationinPlymouth,Torbay,Bristol,Cornwalland Somerset and reaching 40,000 primary and secondary school pupils. It helpedschoolchildrenexperiencethebenefitsofthenaturalenvironmentbyempoweringteacherstousetheoutdoorstosupporteverydaylearning.Theevaluationfoundthat:

• 95percentofchildrensurveyedsaidoutdoorlearningmakeslessonsmore enjoyable.

• 90 per cent said they felt happier and healthier.• 72percentofchildrensaidtheygotonbetterwithothers.• 93percentofschoolssaidoutdoorlearningimprovespupils’socialskills.

• 92percentofschoolssaiditimprovespupils’healthandwellbeingandengages them with learning.

• 85percentofschoolssawapositiveimpactonbehaviour.• 90percentofstaffsurveyedfoundoutdoorlearningtobeusefulfor

curriculumdelivery.

ThefindingsoftheNaturalConnectionsprojectareechoedbyotherevidenceofeducational,learninganddevelopmentalbenefits.Asystematicliteraturereview(Gill2014b)found:

• Experienceofgreenenvironmentsisassociatedwithgreaterenvironmentalknowledge.

• Forestschoolprojectsareassociatedwithimprovedsocialskillsandimprovedself-control,self-confidenceandlanguageandcommunication.

• Conservationactivitiesinopenspacesareassociatedwithimprovedpsychosocial health.

7.3 EXISTING PATTERN OF OUTDOOR PLAY PROVISIONThedistributionofplayprovisionacrosstheboroughwasanalysedusinggeographicalinformationsystems(GIS),basedontheagerangesandaccessibilitythresholdssetoutintheGLASPG(seeTable1,Fig1.2atp.09aboveandcombinedmapatp.40below).Takingchildpopulationdensitiesintoaccount,thisanalysisshowsthatthereisasignificantdeficitofaccessibleplayprovisioninalmostallofBecontreeward,mostofWhalebonewardandpartsof Alibon, Eastbury, Heath, Longbridge, Parsloes, Valence and Village wards. TherearealsodeficienciesinpartsofChadwellHeath,Eastbrook,andRiverwards,thoughherethepopulationdensitiesarelower.Forchildrenaged5–11,thepatternissimilar,althoughthedeficientareasextendtolargerareaswithin these wards, and also parts of the remaining wards. For children aged 0-5almostallofLBBDisdeficient.TheexceptionsarepartsofGascoigneward(whichhasahighnumberofplayareasinhousingestates–andalsosomeofthehighestconcentrationsofchildrenunder5)andareasthatarewithin100mofparkplayfacilities.TheGISanalysisshowssomeoverlapincatchmentsforfacilitiesforchildrenaged5-11and12+,aswouldbeexpected.TheonlysignificantareawheretheremaybeoverprovisionispartsofGascoigne,inrespectofthefacilitiesforchildrenunder5alreadymentioned,althoughafulleranalysisofbothchildpopulationandprovisionwouldbeneededtoconfirmthis.(NotethatduetotheemergingplansforBarkingRiverside,Thameshasbeenexcludedfromthisanalysis.)

LBBDPlayareashavealsobeenassessedforqualityusingthePlayEnglandassessmentschedule(PlayEngland2009).(Thistoolprovidesahelpfulstartingpointforbenchmarkingplayfacilities.However,itdoeshavesomeweaknesses.Itisdesignedfortheassessmentofindividualplayareas,notparksasawhole.Thisapproachnaturallyleadstoafocusonindividualsetsofplayfacilities,andworksagainsttakingawhole-parkviewoftheplayoffer.Italsomakesnoattempttoassesstheoveralldesignqualityandappearanceoffacilitiesandithasnocriteriathatfocusonteenagersasausergroup.)

BarkingParkisunarguablythemostsuccessful,well-designed,highest-qualityplayspace.Itoffersabenchmarkforhubplayfacilitiesinotherparks.Acrosstheboroughasawhole,thepicture(confirmedbythequalityassessment)isof

[Case study: Police report shows cost savings from park youth provision]

In Banbury, the cost of repairs to young children’s play equipment dropped by 25 per cent (£10,000) in the first year after installing youth facilities. In Burnley, a youth shelter was built in response to complaints about anti-social behaviour, after which reports of nuisance behaviour dropped by 29 per cent (across the whole town) and 50 per cent (near the park). The costs due to vandalism to play equipment dropped 87 per cent from £580 to £70 (Hampshire and Wilkinson 2002).


amixofmostlyold,conventionalplayfacilitieswithfencingandlargelyprimary-colouredsteelequipment(someinapoorstateofrepair);morenaturalisticfacilitiesusingmounds,boulders,logsandtimberequipment;andballcourtsandskateparks.Conventionalplayfeatures/facilitiesarelargelyuninspiringandunlikelytohavelastingappeal,especiallyforchildrenaboveinfants’schoolage.Somenaturalisticfeatures,whilenotshowingsignsofvandalismorthe

consequencesofanti-socialbehaviour,aresufferingfromwearandtear/erosion(possiblyasignofpopularity).Youthsportfacilitiesaremostlyofaveragestandard(someinurgentneedofrepair)andpoor/mediocredesign,withlimitedopportunitiesforsocializing.

7.4 BEST PRACTICE CONSIDERATIONSGuidancefromtheNationalInstituteforHealthandClinicalExcellencestatesthat“opportunitiesformoderatetovigorousphysicalactivityincludeeverythingfromcompetitivesportandformalexercisetoactiveplayandotherphysicallydemandingactivities”.Itcallsonagenciestoprovidedailyopportunitiesforunstructured,spontaneousplay(NationalInstituteforHealthandCareExcellence2009).

The Greater London Authority Supplementary Planning Guidance on play space statesthatfacilitiesshouldbe“well-connectedtowellusedpedestrian,cycling

orbusroutes.Theyshouldbeaccessibletoallsectionsofthecommunity(includingdisabledpeopleandtheirparentsorcarers)andbelocatedwithineasyreachbywalking,cyclingandpublictransport”(GreaterLondonAuthority2012).

TheGLASPGincludesguidanceondesigntakenfromthepublicationDesignforPlay(PlayEngland2008).Thissetsoutalandscape-ledapproachtoplayspacedesign,withtheaimofcreatingrobust,flexible,inclusivespacesandfeaturesthatareattractivetochildrenandfamiliesofallages.Thisguidanceoutlinesasix-stagedesigncycle.Thesestagesare:prepare,design,construct,use,maintain,review.Theguidealsosetsout10principlesfordesigningsuccessfulplayspaces.Successfulplayspacesshouldbe:

• ‘Bespoke.’• Well located.• Make use of natural elements.• Provideawiderangeofplayexperiences.• Accessibletobothdisabledandnon-disabled.• Meet community needs.• Allowchildrenofdifferentagestoplaytogether.• Buildinopportunitiestoexperienceriskandchallenge.• Sustainable and appropriately maintained.• Allowforchangeandevolution.

Engagementandparticipationplayakeyroleinensuringthatplayfacilitiesmeetcommunityneeds.Thisisbestdonethrough‘co-creation’:theactiveinvolvementofinformedprofessionalswithexperienceofsuccessfuldesignapproachesalongsidechildrenandfamilies(Demos2007).Observationofhowchildrenandfamiliesactuallyusespacesisinvaluable.Whenitcomestoprovisionforyoungpeoplemeaningful,directengagementwithlocalgroupsofteenagerswillbecrucialininformingboththelocationanddesignoffacilities(PlayEngland2008;GreaterLondonAuthority2012).

Asalreadynoted,UKevaluationtoolsforplayprovisiontypicallydonotaddresstheneedsandinterestsofteenagerswell.OneAmericanproject,‘GrowingUpBoulder’,hasdrawnupachecklistofteen-friendlyfeaturesofparks,producedwithinputfromyoungpeoplethemselves(Derr2015).Teenswerekeentoseeplayspacesforbothchildrenandadults;theprojectfoundinparticularthat“youngerteensconsistentlyaskformoreactiveformsofplay,suchasziplinesor parkour courses that allow risk taking.” This project found that other park featuresimportantforteensinclude:

• WiFi • LightingandArt• Study Space • Trees, Flowers, Nature • Water features

Bearinginmindtheroleofoutdoorspacesinsupportingchildren’seducation,it is not surprising that interest in the topic has been growing in London, with thespreadofinitiativessuchasForestSchool.Appropriatefacilitiesinlocalparksandgreenspacescansupporttheseinitiatives,forinstancethroughthe

creationofoutdoorstorytellingareasandwildlifetrails(Gill2011).Goodplayspacedesignisinclusive,andinclusivedesignisaboutquality,notcompliance.Itisconcernedwiththerangeofoffersacrossthewholeofaplayfacility/space,notwhethereverypieceofequipmentbeingaccessibletoall.Disabledchildrenwanttobeabletoplaywiththeirnon-disabledfamily,peersandfriends,anddesignsinalllocationsshouldreflectthisintheirchoiceofequipmentandother features. It means addressing the needs and concerns of children with arangeofdisabilitiesandimpairments,notsimplythoseinwheelchairs.Siteaccessibilityincludingcarparking,andprovisionoftoiletfacilitiesarecrucialtoinclusion(OfficeoftheDeputyPrimeMinister2003;WhewayandJohn2004;KIDS2010).

Goodplaygrounddesignisnotsimplyamatterofselectingequipmentfromacatalogue.Asaresult,playgroundsafetyisnotsimplyamatterofcompliancewithequipmentstandards.Challenge,adventureandexcitementarepartofchildren’splay,andwhatgoodplaygroundsshouldbeoffering.Henceabalancedapproachtoriskmanagementisessential.

Riskbenefitassessment(RBA),assetoutinguidancefromPlayEngland(Balletal2013)isatoolthatsupportsaconsidered,balancedapproachtoriskmanagement.Itbringstogetherconsiderationsaboutrisksandbenefitsalongsideotherfactorsinasingledecision-makingprocess.ItisrecognisedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutiveasasensibleapproachtoriskmanagement(HealthandSafetyExecutive2012).

Inkeepingwithgoodpracticefromworkplaceandofficehealthandsafety,RBAassetoutinthePlayEnglandguidanceadoptsanarrativeapproach;itdoesnotrecommendtheuseofmatricesorratingsschemesforrisks.Instead,ittakesusersthroughasetofopen-endedquestionsunderthefollowingheadings(PlayScotland2014):

• Whatarethebenefits–forchildrenandyoungpeople,andforothers?• What are the risks?• Whatrelevantlocalfactorsneedtobeconsidered?• Whataretheoptionsformanagingtherisk,andwhatarethepros,cons

and costs of each?• What precedents and comparisons are there?• Whatistherisk–benefitjudgement?• How should the judgement be implemented?

Goodprocurementproceduresaredesign-led,andhelptounderpinthelandscape-ledapproachtodesignthatisproposedinDesignforPlay.Likewise,while ease and costs of maintenance are clearly factors that shape design, if allowedtohavetoogreataninfluencetheycanunderminethecreationofattractive,successfulplayareas(GreaterLondonAuthority2012).GoodpracticeguidanceisavailablefromPlayEnglandonmaintainingspacesthatincorporatenaturalplayelementsandfeatures(Davisetal2009).Theguidanceaddressesconcernsandmisconceptionsaboutnaturalplay(suchastheviewthatloosefillmaterialsroutinelyleadtocontaminationproblems)andincludessectionson:

• How to create a framework to support nature play and its ongoing maintenance.

• Procedures that can be used to support the maintenance of play spaces.

[Extract from NICE Public health guideline on physical activity for children and young people]

Those providing local opportunities for physical activity in the voluntary, community and private sectors should provide a range of indoor and outdoor physical activities for children on a daily basis, including opportunities for unstructured, spontaneous play. Public, voluntary, community and private sector managers and decision-makers responsible for – or able to influence – opportunities for children to be physically active should:

• Ensure opportunities, facilities and equipment are available to encourage children to develop movement skills, regardless of their ability or disability.

• Provide children with access to environments that stimulate their need to explore and which safely challenge them. The aim is to develop their risk awareness and an understanding of their own abilities as necessary life skills.

• Ensure children have the opportunity to explore a range of physical activities to help them identify those they can enjoy by themselves and those they can do with friends and family.

• Provide daily opportunities for participation in physically active play by providing guidance and support, equipment and facilities.

• Ensure opportunities are available after school, at weekends, during half-term breaks and during the longer school holidays. Activities should be led by appropriately trained and qualified staff (paid or voluntary) and take place in schools and other community settings.


• Specificmaterialsthatoftenfeatureinnatureplayandinformationonhow to maintain them.

7.5 PROGRAMMING AND EVENTSProgrammingisinvaluableinpromotingneworimprovedplayfacilities,andcanalsohelptobuildupandsustainlevelsofengagementovertime.ConventionaleventssuchastheannualPlaydaycelebration(onthefirstWednesdayinAugusteachyear),familyfestivalsandperformancesarepartofthis,andareconsideredinmoredetailinSection6.

Alongsidethese,moreregularplaywork-ledcommunityplaysessionsinpublicspacescanalsoplayarole.AnevaluationreportofaprogrammeofcommunityplaysessionsinTowerHamletsshowsthattheyhaveledtosignificantengagementinactiveplay.Theyhavealsohelpedraiseparentalawarenessofthevalueofplay,engagedparentsandchildreninchampioningplayandinsomecaseledtoparentsandchildrenbecominginvolvedinpublicspaceimprovementprojects(Gill2016).

Programmingmaybeparticularlyeffectiveinconnectingteenswithparks.TheGrowingupBoulderinitiativediscussedabovefoundthatteenswerekeentoseemusicandmovienights,aswellasfood-relatedeventsandfacilities(Derr2015).

7.6 RECOMMENDATIONSPriorities for creating and improving play facilities across LBBD should take into account the findings of the GIS analysis setoutaboveatsection7.3,andespeciallytheareasofunder-provision.

Play facility designsshouldfollowthelandscape-ledapproachsetoutinDesignforPlayandtheGLASPG,embracingitsapproachtotheincorporationofnaturalelementsandhardandsoftlandscaping,tofencingandboundarydefinitionandtoengagementwithchildren,familiesandotherlocalstakeholders. The typology and accessibility criteria in the GLA SPG should be appliedthoughtfullyandflexibly.

Main or hub play facilitiesshouldbelocatednearothercafé/sport/leisurefacilities,withastrongnetworkofwalking/cyclingpaths,tocreateahubofmutuallysupportivepatternsofuse.Thiswillbeespeciallyimportantinlargerparks(egMayesbrook,Central,OldDagenhamandParsloes).Thesehubfacilitiesshouldwhereappropriatebesupplementedwithsmallerplayareas,playtrailsandincidentalplayfeaturestailoredtoeachpark/sitecontext.Hubplayareasshouldincludegenerousprovisionofformalseatingsuchaspicnicbenchesandalso‘sittablestructures’suchaslowwallsandlargelogsthatalsoformpartoftheplayoffer.

A site-specific approach to boundary definition should be taken. Forinstance,boundariescanbecreatedcost-effectivelythroughhardand/orsoftlandscaping:dog-proofmetalfencingisnotalwaysnecessaryorwarranted.In larger playgrounds, the aim should be to create a space that can be used flexibly,includingamixofscaleswithinanoverallarea.Hardsegregationbyageshouldbeavoided.

LBBD should explore the idea of creating at least one flagship inclusive play space, designed with input from children and families with arangeofabilitiesanddisabilities.

There should be greater emphasis on adventurous facilities that are likely to engage a broader age range of children and teenagers, and that keepthemengagedformoreoftheirchildhood.Facilitiesshouldincludewell-designedsocialandinformalleisureoffersthatimproveonoff-the-shelfyouthshelter/ballarea/skateparkdesigns,withlocationanddesignshapedbyinputfrom local young people.

Overthelongerterm, the development of a teen-oriented assessment tool/setofindicatorsshouldbeconsideredtofillthegapleftbyexistingtools.Suchatoolcoulddrawonthe‘GrowingUpBoulder’checklistreferencedabove.

Features and structures should be created that are suitable for use in outdoor learning/forest school contexts where the parklandscapehasamorenaturalisticcharacter(e.g.Central,Eastbrookend,StChads).Structurescouldincludestorytellingareas,raisedplatformssuitableforpond-dipping,wildlifetrailsandminibeaststructures).

A balanced approach should be taken to risk management, supportedbyriskbenefitassessment(RBA)andthoughtfulapplicationofequipmentstandards.Procurementprocessesneedtobedesign-led:theyshouldallowforintegrationofhigh-qualitylandscapedesignandequipmentchoices,andforflexibleresponsestolocalsitesandcircumstances.Maintenanceandinspectionshouldmakeuseofgoodpracticeguidance,including on the use of RBA to inform decisions about safety.

LBBD should consider raising the public profile and awareness of play facilities through programmed events and activities (includingconventionaleventsandalsoplaywork-ledsessions)linkedtoopenings/refurbishments.Aspartofthis,itshouldcontinuetosupporttheannualPlaydayevent,ideallywithapresenceinallLBBDparks,andlinkittopublichealthpromotioninitiativesaroundoutdoorplay.Thesecouldbecuratedasanannualcalendarofparkplayevents.LBBDshouldalsoexplorethepotentialtopromotefacilitiesviasocialmediaandapps.


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Wallace,E,Pye,J,Nunney,FandMaybanks,N(2009)Children and Parents’ Experiences of Recently Improved Play Areas: Qualitative Research.

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Wheway,RandJohn,A(2004)Can Play Will Play.

Wheway,RandMillward,A(1997)Child’s Play: Facilitating play on housing estates.


FOOD GROWING IN BARKING AND DAGENHAM

88.1 WHY GROW FOOD IN PARKS?Itiswidelyrecognisedthatgardeningandfoodgrowinghaveapositiveimpactonpeople’shealthandwellbeingandthereisagrowingbodyofevidencetosupport this 65.

Regularcontactwithplantsandthenaturalenvironmentcanimprovementalwellbeingandcombinedwiththeactivityofgrowingfood,itcanhelpimprovephysicalhealthforawiderangeofabilitiesandages.Regularinvolvementingardeningcan:

• Improvepsychologicalhealth,byreducingstress,theseverityofstressandassociated depression.

• Increasephysicalactivity,burncaloriesandcontributetomaintainingahealthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity.

• Helpwithrehabilitationorrecoveryfromsurgeryorothermedicalinterventions.

• AlleviatethesymptomsofillnesseslikedementiaandAlzheimer’sdisease,suchasagitationandaggressivebehaviour.

• Contributetoimprovedsocialinteractionsandcommunitycohesion.• Provideaccesstolocallygrown,freshproduceandhelpincreasethe

consumptionoffruitandvegetables,aswellasimprovingattitudestohealthyeating.

• Introduceawayoflifetohelppeopleimprovetheirwellbeinginthelonger term.

Inadditiontothehealthbenefitstherearemanysocial,economicandenvironmentalfactorsthatimpactonhealth.Communityfoodgrowingprojectscanhavepositivebenefitsonthese:

• Individuallifestyle:supportsahealthylifestylewithregularoutdooractivityandcontactwithnaturewhichhelpsimprovephysicalandmentalhealth.

• Providesaccesstohealthy,affordable,locallygrownfood.• Socialandcommunity:engagesthecommunityandenhances

mechanismsforgettingpeopleinvolvedinthingsthatmattertothem.• Activities:promoteshealthandwellbeingaswellasanopportunityfor

learning new skills.• Builtenvironment:physicalexerciseisdesignedintothelocalarea.• Naturalenvironmentalfactors:enhancesthenaturalenvironmentand

engages people with nature.

8.2 GREEN SPACE, GARDENING & HEALTHEvidenceontheimpactofgardensandgardeningonhealthiscloselylinkedtothewidearrayofevidenceon‘greenspacesandhealth’.Itisclearthataccesstonatureisacriticalpartofahealthycommunitybutincreasinglysedentaryandstressfullifestylesareresultinginpoorphysicalandmentalhealth.Thismeansthatwhilelifeexpectancyhassignificantlyimproved,longtermconditionssuchasdepression,obesityanddiabetesalsocontinuetoincrease,decreasing quality of life.

Thelinkbetweenaccesstonatureandparticularlytostress,depressionandanxietyissupportedbyevidence,suchas:

• Visitstonatureareassociatedwithdecreasesinself-reportedstress(Annerstedt,2010)andastudyintheNetherlandsshowedevery10percentincreaseinaccesstogreenspacetranslatedinanimprovementinhealthequivalenttobeingfiveyearsyounger(deVries,etal2003),withsimilarbenefitsfoundbystudiesinCanada(Villeneuveetal2012)andJapan(Takano2002).

• GreenspaceshavealsobeenlinkedwithreducedlevelsofobesityinchildrenandyoungpeopleinAmerica(Lisetal2007).

Natural England has become increasingly interested in this topic, leading them tosetupthe“OutdoorsforAll”workinggroupandpublishingresearch,reportsandrecommendationonthesubject66.

8.3 HEALTH IMPACT OF FOOD GROWINGInadditiontoprovidingpassiveaccesstonature,theactofgardeningalsohasanimportantrole.ItisanimportantpastimeintheUK,particularlyforadultsover24andrisinginimportanceforolderpeoplewhoarelesslikelytobeactivebutmorelikelytoundertakegardening.Whilemuchgardeningisundertakenathome,theopportunitiestogardenwithinpublicandsharedspaces,particularlyinurbanareascanprovideincreasedopportunitiesforpeopletoimprovehealthandwellbeingbenefits,makingitanimportantconsiderationwhenplanningpublicopenspaces.Inparticulargardeningandmorespecificallyfoodgrowingisausefulinterventionformanytargetaudiences.TheKingsFundReportonGardensandHealth cites the following 67:

• Schoolagedchildren:Well-designedstudiesofschoolgardeningsuggestthatchildren’sfruitandvegetableintakecanbesignificantlyincreasedcombinedwitheffortstoimproveparentalsupport;afurtherrangeofstudies points to increased knowledge, and preferences for fruit and vegetables

• Families:Arecentreportof2,000homeownersshowedthatparentswithchildrenunder18spentsignificantlymoremoneyontheirgardensthanthose without, including on play equipment such as slides, sandpits and swings. Almost 1 in 4 parents thought that their children did not spend enoughtimeoutdoors.

• OlderPeopleandthosewithdementia:Surveyssuggestgardensbecomemuchmoreimportantasasourceofphysicalactivityinolderage,aswellasindependence,andinamelioratingloneliness.Thereisemergingevidencethatgardeningmayalsobeimportantinfallsprevention(helpingtomaintaingoodgaitandbalance)andalsoindementiapreventionandcognitivedecline.


Additionalresearchhasalsofoundevidenceforthefollowing:

• Vulnerablegroups–astudyin2015(Weinammet.al)foundmorebeneficialeffectsforasubgroupwithapoorprognosisforgoodhealthandthe“GrowingHealth”reportfoundmanyexamplesofeffectiveinterventionsandbenefitsfortargetgroupsincludingsubstancemisusersand excluded groups 68.

Theuseoffoodgrowingandgardeningfortherapeuticbenefits(i.e.ledbyatrainedtherapistforagroupwithdefinedneeds)iscommonandwellevaluated,throughnetworkssuchasCareFarmingUK.Areaswheretherapeutichorticulturecanhavegoodimpactsinclude:

• Mentalhealth:gardeningandrelatedactivitieshavelongbeenadvocatedinmentalhealthprogrammes(SpurgeonandUnderhill,1979).

• Physicalhealth:healthproblemscentredaroundsedentarylifestyles,obesityandevenoldagehavebeenalleviatedortackledwithgardeningprogrammes.

• Substancemisusers:therapeuticandmanualworkisincreasinglybeingused to include drug and alcohol dependent people and aside from horticultureprojects“CareFarms”arealsobeingincreasinglyusedtomeaningfully occupy this client group in the UK.

• Excludedgroups(refugeesetc.):horticultureprojectsareincreasinglyseenasawayofgeneratingmeaningfulactivityforexcludedgroupslikerefugees.

Creationoffoodgrowinggardenswithinpublicspacesprovidesimportantinfrastructureforuseoffoodgrowingastherapy,andopensuplotsofpotentialfordifferentgroupstobenefitfromthesespaces.

8.4 COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF FOOD GROWINGCapitalGrowth’s“GrowingSuccess”69evaluationreporthighlightedmanyofthebenefitsoffoodgrowingthathadoccurredasaresultoftheircampaign,launchedin2008.Thisincludedreporting:

• 99,000peoplewereinvolvedacrossthenetwork(anaverageof20percommunitygarden);

• 71%ofpeoplehadmadeanewfriendwithsomeoneintheneighbourhood/localareaasaresultofgettinginvolved;

• 38%ofpeoplefeltsaferintheirneighbourhoodasaresultofthegrowingproject.

ThefeedbackfromanadditionalCapitalGrowthsurveyof342foodgrowingprojectsshowedmanyarelocatedinplacesofdiverseintegrationintermsofage,ability,ethnicbackgroundandemploymentstatus.Thesurveyalsoshowedthekeymotivationforinvolvementincommunityfoodgrowingistocreateasenseofcommunityandimprovehealthandwellbeing(both90%)70.

FurtherlocalevidencefromGrowingCommunitiesDagenhamFarmdemonstratestheimpactthatfoodgrowingprojectsishavingwithintheborough.Todatetheproject,withsupportfromBigLottery’sReachingCommunities’fund,hasrun:

• Avolunteerprogramme–withopenvolunteeringallyearandOpenFarmSundays during the warmer season for local residents to learn new skills, take gentle exercise in the open air and buy fresh farm produce.

• Afreelunchprogrammewherevolunteerslearncookingskillsusingfreshproduce from the site and then eat communally.

• A“GrowninDagenham”youngpeople’sprogrammeworkinginpartnership with 2 local schools and Barking and Dagenham College where 80 children take part in food growing and cooking workshops each week.

• Afreeholidayandafterschoolgrowingclub.• Training workshops for school teachers and teaching assistant in food

growing and working with the farm. • A 9 month long, paid Food Worker training programme for 4 unemployed

loneparents(fromApril–December)withthehoursgearedtomeettheirchildcare needs.

• AweeklyfoodgrowingandskillssessionforLBBDresidentsinrecoveryfromalcoholandsubstanceabuse.Twoofthepreviousserviceusershavemadethetransitiontoworkingaspartoftheregularvolunteerteam,visitingthefarmindependently.

• Aweekly(inseason)freshproducestallatthefarmonSundaysandaweeklystallatDagenhamEaststationduetoresumetradinginthesummer of 2017.

During2016thishasresultedin:

• 42regularlocalvolunteerslearningskillsandworkingonthefarm.• 2,205volunteerhoursworkedonthefarm–equivalentto298days.• 135localresidentsvisitingthefarmtofindoutaboutvolunteeringand/or

to buy fresh produce.• 384localresidentsvisitingthefarmand/orattendingthefarm.• 179youngpeopletakingpartinfoodgrowingandfoodpreparation(April-

Dec2016).• 4Trainees(unemployedloneparents).

8.5 EDUCATIONAL IMPACT OF FOOD GROWINGFoodgrowinginschoolsandforeducationalpurposesisfairlywidespreadwitharangeofstudiesshowingtheoutcomeonknowledge,skills,educationalattainmentandbehaviour.

ArecentevaluationofGardenOrganic’sFoodGrowingSchoolsLondonprojecthasshownthatasaresultofinvolvementinschoolfoodgrowing;

• 79%ofschoolsreportedimprovedbehaviourorattainment.• 62%reportedpupilsaremoreawareofhealthyeating71

While most of the projects for schools are set up within school grounds, there isclearlyscopeforprovisionoutsideofschoolgroundsandwithinparksettings.ThishasbeendemonstratedinGrowingCommunitiesschoolengagementprogramme(seeabove).

8.6 FOOD GROWING AND CLIMATE CHANGETheproductionandsupplyoffoodcurrentlyaccountsfor20-30%ofgreenhouse(GHG)emissionintheUK.Whilemuchoftheemissionsaredownthemethodofproduction(withorganicproductionmethodsbeinglower),thereisalsoimpactfromtransportation,storageandthiscanvaryfortypeofcrop.

Somequantifiableevidenceisavailabletosupportthis,includingastudybyKulaketal(201372)whohighlighttheroleofurbanfarmsinreducingtheemissionsoflocallyconsumedfoods;whilethereductionisrelativelylow,itexceedsthecarbonsequestrationforconventionalurbangreenspaceprojectssuch as parks and forest.

8.7 THE BUSINESS CASE FOR FOOD GROWINGSustain’sGrowingHealthprojecthasdocumentedmanypublichealthandNHScommissionedinterventions,althoughcostcomparisontootherinterventionsisstillrelativelydifficulttofindevidence.Costbenefitanalysisoffoodgrowingactivitiesisrelativelynewandlimitedinitsabilitytomeasuredifferenttypesofintervention,butthereisevidenceofabusinesscaseforgrowingfood.NaturalEngland(2009)estimatethat£2.1billionwouldbesavedannuallythroughavertedhealthcostsifeveryoneinEnglandhadequalaccesstogreenspace.TheKingsFundReport(2016)alsosummarisesthefinancialevidenceofgardeningincludingthefollowingexamples:

• TheNewEconomicsFoundationestimatedthevalueoftheEcomindsprogramme(aprogrammesupportedbyMindtoofferoutdoorexperiencesincludinggardeningforthosewithmentalhealthproblems)forfiveparticipantstobearound£7,000eachthroughreducedNHScosts,welfarebenefitreductionsandincreasedtaxcontributions(NewEconomicsFoundation2014).

• Accesstogreenspacecanreducementalhealthadmissions,resultinginadditionalsavingsfortheNHS(Wheateretal2007).

• ThenationalevaluationoftheBritishTrustforConservationVolunteers(BTCV)GreenGymproject(Yerrell2008)between2005and2009estimatedthatforevery£1investedingreengyms,£2.55wouldbesavedintreatingillnessrelatedtophysicalinactivity.

• Benefitslinkedtohealthincludingcarbonstorage,floodalleviationandamenityvalue,valuedintotalatmorethan£130billion(Kentonetal2015).

The current picture Food growing in London

Capital Growth 73, a network of 2000 food growing projects in London, has been workingtosupportcommunityfoodgrowingprojectssince2008(seemapofprojectsatwww.capitalgrowth.org/spaces/).Duringthistimefoodgrowingprojectsinalltypesofpublicandprivatespaceshavebeendevelopedandthenumberscontinuetogrow,withallboroughsdevelopingarangeofgrowinginitiatives.


DuringthistimefoodgrowinghasalsobeensupportedwithintheLondonPlanandsubsequentlyfiltereddowntoLocalPlanlevel.

ResearchbyCapitalGrowthin2016found:

• 28ofthe33boroughssupportingcommunitygrowingwithintheirplanning policy

• 19of33boroughsreportingfoodgrowinginparks

TheapproachcouncilsacrossLondontaketowardsdevelopingfoodgrowingvariesandinmanycasesitischaracterisedbypartnershipswithvoluntarysectororlocalhousingproviders.Inotherareas,wherethesepartnershipsdonotexist,localauthoritieshavetakenaleadershiprole,settingupprojectsdirectlyandinmanycasesresponsibilityfordrivingfoodgrowingsitswithintheparks department.

Food growing in parks

Foodgrowinginparksisestablishedgoodpractice;thereareexamplesanda track record across the UK, with areas dedicated to growing food in parks ranging from local pocket parks to the Royal Parks Regents Park Allotment Garden.

Aslocalauthoritieslookfornewmodelsofmanagingparks,theprevalenceoffoodgrowingislikelytoincreaseduetothemultiplebenefitsthatthisactivitycanprovide.

TosupportthedevelopmentoftheParksandandOpenSpacesStrategyparkmasterplanningproject,over25parksinLondonandnationwidewerereviewed.Manyofthesewerefoundtooperategrowingprojectsinconjunctionwithparkbuildingswithpreviousamenityuses.TheseincludeMyattsField(LBLambeth),MayowPark(LBLewisham)andWalpolePark(LBEaling).RefertoTable8.1casestudy1.

Manyothergrowingprojectshavebeendevelopedonpreviouslyabandonedareas,reclaimingthem.ExamplesincludedLammasPark(LBEaling)andMaryonPark(LBLewisham).InanumberofouterLondonboroughsvoluntary-sectorledinitiativeshadbeensetupinex-councilnurseriesandgreenhousesnolongerrequiredbythecouncilcontractors.Thesehavebeenleasedtovoluntarysectortomanageascommunityresources,oftenwithanenterpriseelementincludingGrowingCommunities(LBHackneyandBarking&Dagenham),Organiclea(LBWalthamForest),EdibleLandscapes(LBHaringey)andSuttonCommunityFarm(LBSutton).RefertoTable8.2casestudy2.

Examples of food growing in parks with open access were found but were more commoninsmallerpocketparksthatareoverlookedbyresidentsorfocusing

onorchardsoredibleplantingwithintheparksplantingschemes.Itshouldbenotedthatevenwithinthesetypesofschemescommunityengagementisrequiredtoencouragegroupstoharvestandcarefortheplantsandtrees.Refer to Table 8.3 case study 3.

London Plan Policy 7.22 Land for food

Strategic

A The Mayor will seek to encourage and support thriving farming and land-based sectors in London, particularly in the Green Belt.

B Use of land for growing food will be encouraged nearer to urban communities via such mechanisms as ‘Capital Growth’.

LDF preparation

C Boroughs should protect existing allotments. They should identify other potential spaces that could be used for commercial food production or for community gardening, including for allotments and orchards. Particularly in inner and central London innovative approaches to the provision of spaces may need to be followed, these could include the use of green roofs. 74

Name of Park WalpolePark-WalledKitchenGardenType of Park Historic ornamental gardens and parkland of Pitzhanger ManorDescriptionofpark WalpoleParkisa12-hectarepublicpark;Grade2intheEnglishHeritageRegisterofparksandgardens.Theparkfacilitiesincludea

walledkitchengarden,alearningandeducationcentre,anewplayground,greenopenspaces,plusacaféandtoiletfacilities.

Therestorationworkinthewalledkitchengardenincludedreplantingmanyheritagevarietiesoffruitandvegetables.Thenewgardenismaintainedundertheguidanceoftheparkmanagerbytwosite-basedgardeners.

Descriptionoflocalarea Walpole Park is located at the edge of Ealing Broadway behind Pitzhanger ManorWho runs it Redbridge Council

House(PitzhangerManor&GalleryTrust)Organisation Drop-ingardeningsessionsEveryThursday10am-12pm,WalledGarden,WalpolePark.Funding HeritageLotterFund/EalingCouncilUsers Horticulturestudents,volunteersandcommunitygroups

Table 8.1 - Case study: Walpole Park, LB Ealing

Name of Park MaryonPark–RBGreenwichType of Park Smallurbanpark–excouncilnurseryDescriptionofpark Formerly a quarry, it was once part of the estate of the Maryon Wilson family, former Lords of the Manor of Charlton. This large,

hillywoodedsiteoverlookstheThameswiththeGreenChainWalkrunningthroughit.Descriptionoflocalarea Royal Borough of GreenwichWho runs it FriendofMaryonandMaryonWilsonParksvolunteersOrganisation MaryonParkCommunityGardenisanot-for-profitvoluntarycommunityproject.TheFriendsofMaryonandMaryonWilsonParks

arealocalvoluntarycommunitygroupwhohaveaninterestintheparksandtwoassociatedgreenspacesintheofNorthCharlton.

Thecommunitygardenwassetupon2011ontheabandonednurseryforsurroundingpark.Itismanagedbyacommitteeelectedbytheplotholdersandgardenvolunteers.MaryonParkCommunityGardenwasestablishedbytheFriendsbutisnowrunasaindependentnot-for-profit,councilrecognisedcommunitygroup.TheFriendsregularlyhelptocleartheparkoflitterandrubbishandestablishspecialprojectsincludingthe‘MaryonParkCommunityGarden’anda‘WildLifeMeadow’inMaryonWilsonParks

TheCommunityGardenprovidesraisedgrowingplotsforlocalpeoplewhodonothavegardensorforwhomgardeningcanhavehealthbenefitsandlocalretiredpeople

Funding TheFriendsofMaryonParks,withthehelpofGroundworkandgrantsfromCapitalGrowthandtheOlympicgreenheritagefundTransform, transformed the abandoned Maryon Park plant nursery into a Community Food Growing Garden. The work started in April 2102, the garden opened in April 2013.

Table 8.2 - Case study: Maryon Park, RB Greenwich


8.8 FOOD GROWING IN BARKING & DAGENHAMThe borough has supported the principle of food growing as part of the Capital Growthcampaign,throughpolicyandthroughdevelopingpracticalprojectsfora number of years.

The council worked with the Capital Growth campaign to support the demand fornewfoodgrowingprojectsandasaresulttheset-upofnewfoodgrowingsites in the borough, which was consistent with the demand shown from other outerLondonboroughsinthistime.Intotal42projectshavebeenregisteredwiththeinitiativesince2009witharound20currentlyregisteredasactiveonthemap(seePlanJSA-L700&JSA-L701).

Simultaneously the demand for allotments in the borough has grown, as in mostLondonareas,andcurrentlynearlyallsitesoperateawaitinglistwhichthecouncilhasmadeeffortstoreduce.Thecouncilhavealsoworkedtocreatesomenewsiteswithintheboroughandtore-locateothersites,whicharenowall independently managed.

Morerecentlyintheboroughanumberofmoreestablishedvoluntary/thirdsectororganisationshavesupportednewinitiativesintheboroughincluding:

• GrowingCommunitieswww.growingcommunities.org• TreesforCitieswww.treesforcities.org• TheOrchardProjectwww.theorchardproject.org.uk• Company Drinks www.companydrinks.info

Theseorganisationshaveconsiderableexperienceandaccesstoresourcesandexpertise,andprovideagreatwaytobuildthelocalcapacityofresidentstogetinvolvedandinthelongerterm,toleadonparkfoodgrowinginitiatives.

Current provision and demandThemapbelowshowsthedistributionoffoodgrowingprojectswithintheborough.Foodgrowinginitiativesarecurrentlyinplaceinthefollowingparks.Potentialexiststoextendtheseoperationsandtodevelopinitiativesinotherparks.

Central Park GrowingCommunitiestookoverthissitein2011andnowrunasuccessfulbranch of their social enterprise, which produces organic food for sale as well asprovidingtrainingandlearningopportunities.

Barking ParkThisparkhasanorchardwhichrecentlyhasrequiredsignificantmaintenancedeliveredthroughtrainingprogrammesledbyTheOrchardProject.InadditionCompanyDrinkshavetakenoverthePavilionwhichtheywilluseaspartoftheirsocial enterprise, making drinks from foraged ingredients.

St Chads ParkAneworchard/woodlandareahasbeenplannedandplantinghasbegun,ledbyTreesforCities.

Valence ParkAdemonstrationfoodgardenhasbeendevelopedhereaspartofthewiderHeritageLotteryFundproject,whichiscoordinatedbytheRangersServiceandinvolveslocalvolunteersinthemaintenance.

Opportunity and considerations for food growing within the borough’s parksTherearedifferentwaystocharacterisefoodgrowingandeachoftheseoffersdifferentopportunitiesforparks.ThefollowingTable8.4setsoutthekeyissuesandthissectiongoesontotodiscussthekeyissuesthathavebeenusedtoassesssuitabilityforfoodgrowingfortheborough’sparks.Thistypologyisnotexhaustiveandtheelementsarenotmutuallyexclusivebutcansupportdecision-makingintermsofthetypeofgrowingactivitythatcouldbedevelopedforeachsite.

AccessMostsuccessfulgrowingprojectsrequirealevelofrestrictedaccessorprotectiontoenablevolunteerstobenefitfromtheharvestandalsotogiveaccesstowater,shelterandamenities.Whilerestrictingaccesstechnicallylimitsopenaccess,italsocreatesbenefitsforthoserunningandusingtheprojectsandisessentialforcommercialfoodproduction.Manylimitedaccessprojectsareoftenabletoopentheirsitesforvisitorsduringparkopeninghours,ifstaffareavailabletounlock.

Giventhesizeoftheborough’sparks,limitingaccessmeansthatlimitingaccesstoprovideahighqualityamenity,wouldhavealimitedimpactonaccesstogreenspace.Thebenefitsoflimitingaccesswouldalsobeseenbythoseusingthesite,andanyagreementcouldensurethatopendaysand‘opendoor’policies were put in place by those using the site.

Thereisalsoscopetoattachprotectedsitestoanyneworexistingbuildingswithinparkspaces.ThisapproachcouldincludeEastEndCountryParkcafé,andthebowlingPavilionsiteinCentralParkandBarkingPark.

Where it is not appropriate to create protected or limited access growing space, thedevelopmentoforchardsandedibleplantingisamoreviableoption.ThisiscurrentlytheapproachadoptedinStChadsandGreatfieldsPark.

Community capacity and partnership opportunitiesTheboroughdoesnotcurrentlyhavealargenumberofcommunitygroupswiththe capacity to take on to take on the management of land and open spaces. Converselyitdoeshaveastrongandgrowingdemandforlandtogrowfoodandaninterestindevelopingtheseprojects.Thisisevidencedbythegrowingdemandforallotments,thenumberofgroupsthathavetriedtostartfoodgrowing projects. This interest is in part a consequence of the success of the GrowingCommunitiesDagenhamFarmprojectwhichhasseenhighnumberofparticipationintheirstructuredprogramme.

Tosupportgreatercommunityinvolvementinmanagingfoodgrowingprojects,capacity could be built in a structured way through the leadership of third sectororganisationsandthecouncilindevelopingprojects.Thisapproachiscurrentlybeingadoptedatthefollowingsites:

• BarkingParkOrchard–theOrchardProjecthasruntrainingsessions.• BarkingParkPavilionandotherparkforaging–ledbyCompanyDrinks.• StChadsOrchard–recentlyfacilitatedbyTreesforCities.

Name of Park AbbeyGardens–LBNewhamType of Park Small urban park on historic monument siteDescriptionofpark In2006agroupoflocalresidentsformedFriendsofAbbeyGardenstorescuethederelictsitefromvandalismandneglect.Thesoil

wasfoundtobecontaminated,butwithtimeandeffortthissetbackwasovercomeandanartistdesignedshared‘harvestgarden’wascreatedin30longraisedbedsoverthe80by20Msite.

Anyoneiswelcometoparticipateinthesharedgrowingofflowers,fruitandvegetables.Thegroupteachesfoodgrowingandgardeningskills,provideslocallygrownproducesharedcommunallyandpromoteshealthandwellbeing.

ThegroupnowensuresthatAbbeyGardenscontinuestobeusedandmanagedbylocalpeopleasanopen-accesssiteandharvestgardenwhichimprovesthelocalenvironment,helpstobuildastrongercommunity,givespeopleanunderstandingoflocallygrownfoodandservesasavenueforculturalevents.Thegroupholdsregularfreeevents,includingaSummerFairandaHarvestFestival.

Local Authority NewhamWho runs it Friends of Abbey GardensOrganisation FundingreceivedfromNewhamCouncil,People’sHealthTrust,ChilternSeedsandtheHealthLottery.Funding Localpeople,culturalevents,workshops

Table 8.3 - Case study: Abbey Gardens, B Newham


• CentralParknursery–takenoverbyGrowingCommunitiesDagenhamFarm.

• TheRangerService–facilitatestheValenceHouseallotmentproject.

Theseorganisationsoffersignificantpotentialpartnershipsforthecouncil,thatcanhelptodevelopfoodgrowinginitiativesinparksandbuildontheaspirationsoutlinedintheparkmasterplans.

ResourcesTheinvestmentneededforphysicalinfrastructuretocreatefoodgrowingprojectsisrelativelylowincomparisonwithotherparkuses,andvariousgrantsareavailabletocoverthesestart-upcosts.Abiggerchallengeisfindingwaystoresourcetheupkeepofthesitesandtofundstaffingandmaintenancecosts.Opportunitiestoresourceanincreaseinfoodgrowingacrosstheboroughinclude:

Volunteers and volunteer led groups

Usingvolunteersandcommunitygroupsisonewaytoreducepaidstaffcosts,butgiventhelowlevelofvolunteeringcapacityacrosstheborough,thisisarelativelyhigh-riskapproach.Volunteerrunprojectsinlargeparkscouldcreateconflictintermsofuseofproduceandwouldrequireadefinedagreementdefiningresponsibilityofsitemaintenance.Inthelongertermtheseprojectswould be more suited to smaller parks.

Council led schemes

In many boroughs and in Barking and Dagenham, there are projects that are led orfacilitatedbythecouncil.TheroleofthecouncilvariesacrossLondon,butinBarkingandDagenham,thisroleispartoftheRangersServiceremit.

Community & social enterprise

Thecouncilalreadybenefitsfromtwosocial/communityenterprisesthattradefoodandproductstogenerateincomefromtheiractivities.Increasingcommunityandsocialenterpriseintheboroughandprovidingcontinuedopportunitieswithinparks,isagoodwaytoresourcetheseactivities.GrowingCommunitiesusethesaleoftheirproducetofundtheirheadgrower,althoughitshouldbenotedthattheadditionalactivitiesthatprovideeducationalandotheroutcomesstillrequiregrantfunding.Ifproduceistobesoldatalevelthatgeneratessignificantincomeitisusuallyimportantthatthereislimitedaccesstothesesites.Otheropportunitiesalsoexisttoaddvaluetotheproduceharvest.ThisistheCompanyDrinksmodel(theproductionofsoftdrinksusinggrownandforagedproduce).ThismodelisalsobeingdevelopedbytheOrchardProjectwhichproducesapplejuiceandcider.

London-wide initiatives

TherearemanyLondonwideorganisationsthataccessfundingtosetupgrowingprojectswithinparksandmanyofthesehavedevelopedmodelstocontinuetheinvolvementofcommunitygroups.Theseorganisationsareabletodraw down funding from other sources, but it should be noted that long term maintenance and exit strategies for when the funding ends are important.

Name Detail Benefits Limitations Potentialpartners1.Edibleplanting&productivelandscapes

Edibles plants incorporated into existingplantingandmaintenanceschemes

Low maintenance, long term costBuildsa‘culture’offoodgrowingLends itself to foraging and walking groups

LimitededucationalopportunitiesLess engagement

Walking GroupCompany Drinks

2.Orchard/ForestGarden(e.g.BarkingPark)

Plantingoffruittrees,canincludeperennialunderplantingofedibleplants

Provideopportunityforcommunity engagementCan be open accessMorevarietyoffoodgrowing

Varietiesrequirecarefulselectionandmaintenance planTake a number of years to produce harvest

TheOrchardProjectTreesforCities

3.Openaccesseducationalgrowingprojects

These projects would be run by groupororganisationtodemonstratebenefitsoffoodgrowing,typesplants. Oftenholdregularvolunteerdays

HavepotentialforwiderreachGoodengagementtool/developcapacity/skillsEncourageparticipation

Require resources to set up and runOpentothe‘elements’(human&animal)e.g.vandalism/interferenceHarvestcanbetakensolimitedbenefitforvolunteers

OrchardProjectTreesforCitiesLBBD

4. Gated growing projects–educational(e.g.ValenceHouse)

Runbygroupororganisationtodemonstrate health and other benefitsoffoodgrowing.Regularaccessbutunlikeaboveaccessislimited or the site is gated.

Canoftenbe‘open’formostofthetimeWorkswellinconjunctionwith a facility or building

RequiresinvestmentRemoveslandfrompublicusealthough requirements for open days can be built in

Company DrinksLBBDCommunity groups

5.Productivegrowing* (e.g.CentralPark)

Growing spaces are larger scale to enablesignificantharvestthatcanbesold.Projects would be gated, with access through open days.Runbypaidstaffwithexperiencebutopportunity for training.

Generaterevenuetohelpwith sustainability.Providehealthy,locallyproduced

Needscapitalinvestment.Mostfood‘sold’althoughmanysocialenterprises will encourage residents to buy.Access has to be structured e.g. volunteeringschemes,canrequireopen days

Growing Communities

6.GatedGrowing–individualplots

Small allotments allocated to individualsorgroups

Generate limited income Removeslandfrompublicusealthough requirements for open days can be built in

AllotmentSocieties

*Note:purelycommercialfoodproductionwithinparklandwouldrequiresignificantlandtocreateenoughyield,infrastructureforprocessingandwouldbenotaccessibletothepublic,limitinghealth,socialandcommunityactivity.CreatingprofitableprimaryproductionfoodbusinesseswithinLondonischallengingduetolandandhousingpricesandthereforetheyarenotrecommendedordiscussedwithinthisdocument,astheywouldrequiresignificantfeasibilityandconsultation.Insteadthefocusisonsocialenterprisemodels.

Table 8.4 - Relationship between categories of food growing and opportunities for parks


NOTES65 *SchmutzU.,etal(2014).Thebenefitsofgardeningandfoodgrowing

forhealthandwellbeing.GardenOrganicandSustain.[online]www.growinghealth.info

66 http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/category/6502695238107136

67 https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/files/kf/field/field_publication_file/Gardens_and_health.pdf

68 https://www.sustainweb.org/growinghealth/evidence/

69 Growing Success

70 https://www.sustainweb.org/publications/capital_growth_monitoring_survey_2013/?section=

71 http://www.foodgrowingschools.org/resources/files/FGSL_InterimReport_2016_v2.pdf

72 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204612003209

73 PartofSustain;theallianceforbetterfoodandfarming

74 https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/current-london-plan/london-plan-chapter-seven-londons-living-spac-23

Links with other key themesItisworthnotingthattheinclusionoffoodgrowinginthemasterplansfortheborough’sparkscrossreferencewithinitiativesforplayandevents.Informaland natural play can be realised in food growing areas, in food growing and edibleplantingareasandusedbyparentsforinformalplayactivities.

Similarlyaprogrammeforeventscanfocusonandutiliseexistingfoodgrowinginitiatives.Thiscandeveloplocalinvolvementinexistinginitiativesorstimulateanappetitefornewones.ExamplesofthiscanbeseeninotherLondonparks,such as the popular Walthamstow Garden Party in Lloyds Park, where food and foodgrowinghasbecomeanimportantthemealongsidemusicandcreativeactivities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

General recommendations• Opportunitiesforfoodgrowingprojectswithinlargerparksshouldbe

identifiedparticularlythosethatcouldprovideprotectedorlimitedaccessinordertoincreasescopeforincomegenerationandvolunteering.

• Parkplansshouldbeflexiblesothatthereisanopportunitytobuildintoplansandanyparkdevelopments,sothereisopportunitytorespondtogrowing demand in the future and adapt.

• Edibleplantingshouldbeincorporatedwithinterpretationandsignagetoencourage park users to interact with the scheme.

• Demandforstructuredfoodgrowingopportunitieswithinparksshouldbemetthroughdevelopmentandbuildingpartnershipswithsocialenterpriseandvoluntaryorganisationsthathavealreadystartedtoworkintheborough.

• Opportunitiestosupportsocialenterprisesandcommunityenterprisesthatutilisefoodproduction,shouldbeidentified.

• Discussions with public health and local health partnerships, should considerthepotentialforsocialprescribingandcommissioningtolinktoparkbasedgrowingactivities.

• Linksshouldbemadebetweendevelopmentofplay,eventsandfoodgrowingtobuildonthestrongassetsdevelopingwithintheborough.

Specific recommendations• FurtheropportunitieswithinCentralPark,includingthePavilion,shouldbe

exploredtobuildonthesuccessfulGrowingCommunitiesDagenhamFarmand to make this park an exemplar of food growing within London.

• AnewgrowingareashouldbedevelopedwithintheOldDagenhamPark,workinginpartnershipwithavoluntarysectorpartnershipandlocalresidents.

• Aplanforcurrentandneworchards(includingStChadsandBarkingPark)isdevelopedtoensureagoodselectionofspecies,maintenanceandaprogramme of community engagement.

• Incorporationofsaladandherbbedsshouldbeexploredaspartofthecaféprovision/picnicareainEastbrookEndCountryPark.

• FoodgrowingareasareencouragedaspartoftheevolvingmasterplanforatBarkingParkPavilion.

• ResidentsandvolunteersinvolvedinGreatfieldsParkshouldbeconsultedabouttheinclusionofedibleplantsintothecurrentflowerbeds.




OUTDOOR PLAYING PITCH PROVISION IN BARKING AND DAGENHAM

99.1 PLAYING PITCH STRATEGYLondon Borough of Barking and Dagenham Pitch Strategy 2016 guides the futureprovisionandmanagementofsportspitchesandoutdoorsportsfacilitiesintheBarkingandDagenhamareainthecontextofnationalpolicyandlocalsportsdevelopmentcriteria.ThestrategyupdatesthepreviousPlayingPitchStrategyproducedin2005.Thenewreportprovidesanuptodateassessmentofthesupplyanddemandforplayingpitches(grassandartificial)whichservethefollowingcoresports:football,rugbyunion,cricketandhockey.

9.1.1 Football SummaryThesupplyoffacilitiesdedicatedtomini-footballispoorintermsofquantity.Thereisanoversupplyofadultpitchesandthesepitchesshouldbere-markedas pitches for youth and mini football to meet growing demand in this area.

Therearespecificsiteissues,drivenpredominantlybyoveruse,unauthoriseduse and problems with drainage and maintenance regimes. There are also issuesatthosesiteswithancillaryaccommodationthatneedtobeaddressedacrosstheboroughbutparticularlyatkeysites.

ParsloesParkhasbeenidentifiedasastrategicfootballhubduetothesignificantnumberofpitchesandteamsthatuseitasahomeground.Thereisaconsiderableneedforthissitetoservicetheneedsofadultfootballteamsintheborough.However,issuessuchasunauthoriseduse,poorcarparkingandverypoorancillaryfacilitiesmustbeaddressed.

Pitchqualityisaproblemacrosstheboroughwithmanyclubsreportingthattheconditionofpitchesisdeteriorating,notimproving.Councilpitchesinparticularneedtodemonstrateimprovementstomaintenanceregimesandmarking/seeding,andbegintoinvestinbetterdrainagesystems.

TheFAwouldliketheCouncil,throughthedeliveryofthisstrategy,toplaceagreateremphasisonprotectingthequalityofpitchsurfacesthrough,lowlevelfences and other measures to protect pitches from dog walkers and people riding across them on motorbikes and bicycles.

ValenceParkhasbeenidentifiedasasitethatcouldaccommodatefurtherpitches,whichwouldbewelcomewiththeexpectedincreaseinteamsaffiliatedwith Valence United FC.

One3Gisknowntobeintheplanningprocessatthe“AcademyofDreams”developmentatManorRoadSportsGround.TheCouncilwouldalsobekeentosee3GpitchprovisionatParsloesPark.

9.1.2 Cricket summaryThereisalowerlevelofcricketparticipationinBarkingandDagenhamthanmightbeexpectedfromnationaldatasuchasthe“ActivePeople”survey.Thismayinpartbeexplainedbyacomparativeunder-supplyoffacilitiesleadinginturntoplayershavingtoplayoutsidetheborough.

There is a high number of wickets at the Eastbrook May and Baker sports club, which are unlikely to be all playable each season.

There are only three cricket clubs in the borough. The England Cricket Board carriedoutaNationalPlayerSurveythatcapturedthedemographicprofile

ofitsparticipants.Itevidencedthat30%ofthecricketplayingpopulationisdrawnfromtheSouthAsianCommunity.EastLondonboroughsareheavilyrepresented in this segment.

Thereisaneedtosecureadditionalfacilitiesthroughtheparksdevelopmentand masterplanning processes to encourage these groups and teams to developfurther.

AncillaryfacilitiesandparticularlychangingroomssuchasStChad’sParkpavilionareinneedofrefurbishment.

9.1.3 Rugby Union summaryThere is an undersupply of rugby pitches in the borough that equates to a deficitoftwopitchesforadultsand16pitchesforjuniors.Existingpitchesneedtobeprotected,carryingcapacityimprovedwherepossibleatexistingpitchesandalsoandopportunitiescreatedfortrainingon3Gpitchestoreducepressure on grass pitches.

Thereisasignificantshortageofjuniorrugbypitchesandcriticallythereisno single rugby site in the borough that can cater for both seniors and junior sections(duetoinadequatechangingfacilities),whichmeansmostclubshavetoseparatetrainingsessionsacrossmulti-sites.Thislackofcapacitycanaffectaclub’sappealandsustainability.

CentralPark’sfacilitieshavebeenidentifiedaspoorandinneedofrefurbishment to support the growing needs of Dagenham RFC. The club also needs more pitches.

Thereneedstobesignificantimprovementstomaintenanceandsiltdrainagesystemstoimproveplayingsurfaces.

9.1.4 Hockey summaryTherearetwoactiveclubsintheboroughandevidenceofariseinpopularityfor the sport locally.

9.1.5 Tennis summaryThereissomeevidencetosupportlatentdemandfortennisandpotentialclubmembershipandthisshouldbeaddressedthroughaTennisDevelopmentPlan.

Thereisalackofawarenessaboutcurrentfacilitiesandopportunitiestoparticipateintennis,andthereexistsastrongperceptionthatparticipatingintennisisexpensive,andlikelytocostmorethanmembersofthepublicwouldbe willing to pay.

Itisrecommendedthatthecouncilseekstoidentifyfundingtoresurfacethefollowingcourtsand/orreplacementofnetsandrepair/replacefencing:

• BarkingPark–2courtsonly• Central Park• St Chads Park• OldDagenhamPark• GreatfieldsPark


ThepreviousTennisDevelopmentPlanhighlightedthepotentialissuesoflackofaccesstoaffordabletennisracquetsandballs.AsimplehireschemerunningoutoffacilitiesatBarkingParkandotherparksitessuchasCentralParkcouldaddressthisissue.Thisinitiativecouldlinktoatennisequipmentdonationschemewhichcouldredistributeequipmenttopotentialusers.75

9.2 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTDOOR PLAYING PITCH STRATEGY (OPPS)ThefindingsandrecommendationsoftheOutdoorPlayingPitchStrategy(OPPS)havelargelybeenincorporatedintotheninemasterplanspreparedaspartoftheParksandOpenSpacesStrategy(POSS).

Table9.1setsouthowtherecommendationswithintheOPSShavebeenimplementedinthePOSS.

As part of the masterplanning process, all sports clubs listed as consultees withintheadoptedOPPSandwereinvitedtoreviewthePOSSandspecificparkmasterplansatthefollowingevents:

• GeneralPOSSconsultations BarkingLibrary:March18th DagenhamLibrary:March25th

• Masterplanconsultations AbbeyGreen,BarkingPark,GreatfieldsParkandMayesbrookPark- BarkingLibrary:April20th CentralPark,EastbrookendPark,OldDagenhamPark,StChad’sPark, ValencePark–DagenhamLibrary:April27th.

CommentsreceivedfromattendeesandparticipantshavebeenincorporatedintothefinalrevisionsofparkmasterplanincludedintheParksandOpenSpaces strategy.

Park OPPSrecommendations POSSdeliverythroughmasterplanningAbbey Green N/A N/ABarking • Reduce football pitches by 1no.

• Providenewcricketsquare• 2 No. adult football pitches for use by Euro Dagenham FC• 1 new cricket square

Central • Reduceadultfootballpitchesby1no,YouthPitchesby4noand mini pitches by 2 no.

• Providenewcricketsquare• Providenewjuniorrugbypitches

• Provide2no.juniorrugbypitches• Providenewcricketsquare• Re-furbishtenniscourts• Providenewpavilionbuilding

Eastbrookend N/A N/AGreatfields N/A • Upgrade tennis courts

• ProvidecasualsportsopportunitiesMayesbrook • Reduce adult football pitches by 3 no.

• Increase mini pitches by 3 no. • Reduce adult football pitches by 3 no. • Increase mini pitches by 3 no.

OldDagenham • Reduce adult pitches by 4 no. • Add 1 no. mini pitch

• Reduce adult pitches by 4 no. • Add 1 no. mini pitch

Parsloes • Developsiteasfootballhubwith3Gandenhancedsupportingfacilites

• Reduce adult football pitches• Increaseminipitchprovision• Promotecricketdevelopment• Re-surfacetenniscourts

• Developfootballhubwithtwono.3Gpitchesandsupportingfacilities.

• Retain7existinggrasspitches,possiblyre-markasminpitches.

StChad’s • Reduce adult football pitches by 2 no. • Add 1 no. mini pitch

• Reduce adult football pitches by 2 no. • Add 1 no. mini pitch• Upgradeorere-purposepavilion• Re-providetenniscourts

Valence N/A • Seekfundingforpavilionrefurbishment

Table 9.1

NOTES75 PlayingPitchStrategyReport-App.1


CORPORATE NATURAL CAPITAL ACCOUNTING IN BARKING AND DAGENHAM

1010.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY10.1.1 IntroductionIncommonwithallLondonlocalauthorities,theLondonBoroughofBarkingandDagenhamrecognisesthehugecontributionmadebygreeninfrastructureto the wellbeing of its residents and the success of its economy.

TheLondonBoroughofBarkingandDagenham(LBBD)isoneofthefirstLondon Boroughs to produce a Corporate Natural Capital Account for its parks andopenspaces.Theaccounthasbeendevelopedusingthequalityandvalueassessmentdataofthesespacesassembledfortheborough’sParksandOpenSpaces Strategy.

BarkingandDagenhamisfacingsomesignificantissues.Thepopulationoftheboroughissettoincreaseby48%overthenext20years.Muchofthisnewpopulationwillbeaccommodatedinhighdensityhousingofferinglittleornoaccesstoprivatespace.Thiswillplaceanincreasinglevelofdemandontheborough’sexistinggreeninfrastructureassets.Healthstatisticsintheboroughpresentseveralchallengesandthecapacityofgreenspacetosupportpositiveoutcomes for health has been well established.

BarkingandDagenham’sgreeninfrastructureassetswillbeplacedundersignificantadditionalpressuretodeliverarangeofeconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitsatatimewhenbudgetsthataimtosustainthecapacity

oftheseassetstodeliverbenefitsisunderpressure.TheCorporateNaturalCapital Account for Barking and Dagenham has the capacity to demonstrate the enormousvalueoftheborough’sopenspacesforthewell-beingofresidents.Thetotalvalueofbenefitsaccruingfromtheseassetsisestimatedatmorethan£400millioninperpetuity.Thecostsofmaintainingtheseopenspacesareestimatedat£100millionoverthesameperiod.GreenInfrastructureassetsthusdeliverafourfoldreturnoninvestment.Thissimpleequationprovidesabusinesscaseforinvestmentingreeninfrastructure.

10.1.2 Background – Natural Capital AccountingNatural capital refers to the stock of natural assets, such as parks and open spacesthatprovideeconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitstopeople.TheNaturalCapitalCommitteehasdevelopedaCorporateNaturalCapitalAccounting(CNCA)frameworktocapturethefinancialvalueofnaturalcapitalassetsandtoquantifythecostsofsustainingthesebenefitsovertime.TheCorporateNaturalCapitalAccountprovidesabalancesheetthatshowsthebenefitsprovidedbynaturalcapitalagainstthecostofmaintainingthem.ProductionofaCorporateNaturalCapitalAccountisinlinewiththerecommendationsfromtheNaturalCapitalCommittee’sfourthreportthat“..the government should actively promote corporate natural capital valuation, accounting and reporting; local Authorities and major infrastructure providers should ensure that natural capital is protected and improved”(pg.4)(NaturalCapitalCommittee,2017).


10.1.3 What natural capital assets do LB Barking and Dagenham own?BarkingandDagenhamownsandmanagesover460hectaresofnaturalcapitalassets,withafurther90hectarescomingonstreamthroughtheborough’semergingregenerationschemes.AsshowninFigure10.1,theassetscoverawide range of habitat types, but the majority of this is amenity and neutral grasslandandwoodland.RefertoplanA1763-JSA-L005(pg.58).

10.1.4 What benefits do these assets provide to people?BarkingandDagenham’snaturalcapitalassetsproduceessentialbenefitsforresidentsandtherestofsociety.Theseopenspacesimprove:

• Air quality by absorbing pollutants. • Thelocalclimatebycoolingduringheatwaves.• Resiliencetofloodingbyslowingwaterflows.• Waterqualitybyfilteringwater.• Opportunitiesforoutdoorrecreationinmorenaturalenvironments.• Habitat for a broad range of species.

ThesebenefitsmaketheBoroughamoreattractiveplacetoliveandwork.Accesstogoodqualitygreenspacehasapositiveinfluenceonphysicalandmentalhealth,socialcohesionandeducationalattainment,andsupportstheprosperityoftowncentres.Allofthebenefitshaveafinancialvalue.

BenefitscapturedwithintheCNCAforBarkingandDagenhaminclude:• Recreation:Nearly3millionvisitsaremadetoBarking and Dagenham

greenspaces each year• Physicalhealthbenefits:Nearly1.5millionvisitsinvolvephysicalactivity

thatcontributestomeetinghealthguidelines(over30minutesandof,atleast,moderateintensity)

Climateregulation:Barking and Dagenham’swoodlandandgrasslandsequesterover500tonnesofCO2equivalenteachyear.

10.1.5 What are the benefits worth in monetary terms each year?Thevalueofbenefitsdeliveredbynaturalcapitalassetsisestimatedtobe£419m:thisincludesthevalueofrecreationalvisitstogreenspaces,physicalhealthbenefits(avoidedhealthcosts)supportedbygreenspaces,andclimateregulation(carbonsequestration)benefits.Thesebenefitsrepresentexternalvaluesarisingtotherestofsociety,ratherthanfinancialvaluestotheCouncilitself.

Usingavailabledataandvaluationevidence,thisreportestimatesthemonetaryvalueofsomeofthelargestbenefitsthatnaturalcapitalassetswithinBarkingandDagenhamprovide.Theseinclude:

• Recreation:VisitsmadetoBarking and Dagenhamgreenspaceshaveanestimatedvalueofover£11mperyear.

• Physicalhealthbenefits:Thevalue(throughtheavoidedhealthcostsofinactivity)ofthephysicalactivitysupportedbyBarking and Dagenham’sgreenspacesisnearly£2mperyear.

• Climateregulation:CarbonsequesteredbyBarking and Dagenham’swoodlandandgrasslandisvaluedatover£30,000peryear.

Itisreasonabletoexpectthebenefitsabovetobedeliveredtoatleasttheselevelspermanentlyandconsistentlyovertimeandwhenvaluedinperpetuityareworth£419m.Thisisthefigurethatisusedfortheirvaluationinthebalance sheet below.

Whilesignificant,thesevaluesarepartial,andlikelytobeasignificantunderestimateofthetotalvalueoftotalbenefits.Theyomitservicessuchasairqualityregulationandfloodriskreduction,andinparticularmentalhealthbenefits.Thefullmeasurementofhealthbenefitsisconsideredamajorgapinthe current natural capital account for two reasons.

First,itislikelythatmanyvisitorstogreenspaces(notonlythosewhoactivelyengagein30minsofexerciseofatleastmoderateintensity),aregainingphysicalhealthbenefitsthroughexposuretonaturalenvironments.Secondly,itcanbereasonablyassumedthatthementalhealthbenefitsarelikelytobeassignificant,ifnotmoresignificant,thanphysicalhealthbenefits.Asignificantamountofevidencesuggeststhatexposureandaccesstothenaturalenvironmentcanproducepositivementalhealthbenefitsincludingstressreductionandmentalhealthpromotion(e.g.eftec&CRESR,2013;UKNEA,2014;Gascon,2015),theprovisionofopportunitiestoengageinmental-healthenhancingphysicalactivity(e.g.Hunteretal.,2015;Lachowycz&Jones,2011)andtheencouragementofpositivesocialinteractionsandenhancementofcommunitycohesion(e.g.Holtanetal.,2014;Weinsteinetal.2015).WhilementalillnessesrepresentthelargestcategoryofNHS‘disease’

expenditureintheUK,thequantifiedevidencetomeasurethementalhealthbenefitsofexposuretothenaturalenvironmentandestimateitsvalue,remainsunderdeveloped..

10.1.6 What does it cost to maintain these monetary benefits?WorkingwithLBBD’sfinanceofficers,thecoststothecouncilofmaintainingthenaturalassetsitownshavebeenestimated.Themaintenancecostaccounthas been prepared on the basis of the total costs required to maintain all the servicesprovidedbyparksandopenspaces,includingoperating,cleaningandmaintainingbuildingsandfixedassets(e.g.playgroundequipment)aswellasnaturalelementssuchaswoodsandgrassland.Thetablebelowprovidesabreakdown of costs by type.

Theestimateof£3.4misanannualmaintenancecostinperpetuityequatingtoanongoingliabilityof£108minpresentvalueterms.Thisistheestimatedtotal cost of maintaining the natural capital in parks and green spaces into the future.Thesemaintenancecostscoverthewholeboroughandrepresenttheon-goingmaintenanceliabilityonthebalancesheet.

10.1.7 Natural capital balance sheet for LB Barking and DagenhamTheestimatedbenefitsprovidedbyopenspacesinLBBDandthecostsofmaintaining them are shown in a natural capital balance sheet. The capitalised values76arepresentedinpresentvalueterms,discounted(usingHMTreasury-recommendeddiscountratesover100yrs)andincludingaresidualvalueelementforbenefitsbeyond100years.RefertoTable10.2.

10.1.8 Conclusions and recommendationsThe CNCA for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham highlights the significantvaluesdeliveredbytheborough’sgreeninfrastructureassets.Italsoorganisesdataaboutopenspacesintoanaccountingframeworkthatcanbeupdatedeachyear,linkingphysicalassetstotheirbenefitsandeconomicvalues,andmaintenancecosts.

Fig.10.1-LBBDPark&OpenSpaceAreabyHabitatType

Expenditure AnnualCost(£m)Payroll related 1.5Grounds maintenance 1.0Recharges 0.2Depreciation 0.2Misc & other costs 0.4Total £3.4mNote:Resultsforeachexpenditurehavebeenrounded,andsomaynotaddto total.

Table 10.1 - Breakdown of costs by type


River Roding

Goresbrook

Beam River

Parks and open spaces

Green Belt

Development Sites

All London Green Grid Strategic River Corridors

Barking and Dagenham District Park Strategic Link

Local Park Neighbourhood Green Links


Thisisthefirstattemptatanaturalcapitalaccountfortheentireborough.Asaresult,therearelikelytobeopportunitiesforfurtherlearningandrefinementoftheaccountandtoexpandtheaccounttocoveradditionalbenefits,suchasimprovementstoairqualityandfloodriskreduction.However,theexistingresultsshowthatevenwithoutvaluationofallimportantbenefits,thevaluesdeliveredbyopenspacesaresubstantial,withnetbenefitsbeingapproximatelyfourtimesthecostofmaintenance.

Thebroadrangeofbenefitsaccruingtosocietyfromnaturalcapitalincitiessuch as London are now understoodatagreaterlevelofdetailthaneverbefore.Naturalcapitaldatawillinformfuturestrategicdecision-makingaroundplanning,regenerationandhealthpromotion.ThisCNCAprovidesatemplateforfutureworkbylocalauthoritiesintheassessmentofthevalueoftheirgreeninfrastructureassets.Equippedwiththisbestpracticeguidance,landmanagerswillhavearobustevidencebasetosupportthefuturemanagementof natural capital assets.

10.2 INTRODUCTIONThisreportpresentsaCorporateNaturalCapitalAccount(CNCA)oftheparksandopenspacesoftheLondonBoroughofBarking&Dagenham(LBBD).TheCNCAaimstoprovideLBBDwithanimprovedunderstandingofthevalueoftheseareastoitsresidents,inordertosupportbetterdecisionsabouttheirfuture management.

10.2.1 BackgroundLBBD’snaturalcapital,alsoreferredtoasgreeninfrastructure77,isasignificantcontributor to sustaining Barking & Dagenham as a healthy place in which to live,andasanattractiveplaceforworkandbusiness.Inordertomaximisethebenefitsaccruingfromgreeninfrastructure,theCouncilisintheprocessofreviewingandupdatingitsParksandOpenSpacesStrategy(POSS).

Increased public budget pressures suggest that future management and fundingarrangementsforgreeninfrastructureassetscoveredbythestrategyareuncertain.Inparallel,theBoroughwillseesignificantpopulationgrowththatwillresultinincreasingdemandforthebenefitsandservicesprovidedbygreeninfrastructure,puttingfurtherpressureonitscapacitytosustainandenhance the quality of life enjoyed by residents.

Asaresult,LBBDhasaneedtounderstandthecostsandbenefitsofthegreen infrastructure it manages in more detail. The CNCA framework providesastrongbasisfordevelopinganunderstandingofthevalueofgreeninfrastructure,andthisinturncanbeusedtoinformdecision-makingaroundfuturefundingandgovernanceforgreeninfrastructure.Inparticular,CNCAallowsforbetteralignmentbetweenthenon-statutoryserviceofnaturalcapitalassetmanagement,andLBBD’smandatorydutiesandpurposes(e.g.healthandsocialcare,regenerationandland-useplanning,transport,environmentalprotection).

InthecontextofBarking&Dagenham,theapplicationoftheCNCAapproachisaimedathelpingtodeliverfourobjectives:

• DevelopaCNCAforLBBD’snaturalcapitalandgreeninfrastructureassets,usingtheassetregisterdevelopedaspartoftheemergingParks&OpenSpacesStrategy.ThiswillprovidetheCouncilwithatoolforunderstandingthebenefitsandcostsassociatedwithnaturalcapitalassetsandallowtheCounciltomakeinformeddecisionsabouthowtoallocatescarcerevenueresources,basedon‘outcomes’data.

• Supportthedevelopmentoftheborough’semergingParks&OpenSpacesStrategyandalignLBBD’sgreeninfrastructurepolicywiththeLondonInfrastructure Plan and other emerging open space policy and best practice.

• Reviewoptionsanddevelopanoutlinebusinesscaseforfuturemanagement,fundingandgovernancearrangementsforLBBD’sgreeninfrastructureassetsbasedonthefuturefundingandgovernanceoptionssetoutintheParks&OpenSpacesStrategy.

• Supportthedeliveryofgreeninfrastructureactionsidentifiedintheadopted strategy.

10.2.2 Report structure ThisreportsummarisesinformationreportedtoLBBDwithintheCNCAExcelworkbook(LBBDCNCAWorkbook.xls).Theworkbookholdsallofthespatialandhabitatdatabehindtheaccount,aswellascostandbenefitcalculationsandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththisreport.Thereportisstructuredasfollows:

• Section10.3:abriefbackgroundoftheCNCAapproach.• Section10.4:thenaturalcapitalassetregisterforLBBD.• Sections10.5–10.7:thephysicalflowaccount,themonetaryaccount,

andthemaintenanceaccountforLBBD,respectively.• Section10.8:conclusionsandrecommendations.

Thereportisalsosupportedbyannexes:• Appendix7:amoredetailedexplanationoftheCNCAapproach;and• Appendix8:adetailedoverviewofmethodsandsourcesusedtodevelop

the CNCA

10.3 BACKGROUND TO CNCAThis natural capital account for LBBD follows the framework for corporate naturalcapitalaccounting(CNCA)developedfortheNaturalCapitalCommittee(eftecetal.,2015).ThepurposeoftheCNCAframeworkistohelporganisationsmakebetterdecisionsaboutthenaturalcapitalassets(orgreeninfrastructure)thattheymanage.Itdoesthisbycompilingdataandinformationonthenaturalcapitalassets,theirbenefitsandcostsofmaintainingthem,inasingleaccountingstructure,providingclearandexplicitinformationnecessaryforlong-termmanagement.Thisinformationiscriticaltomakinginformeddecisionsconcerningstrategicprioritieswithinanorganisation,suchasprioritisinginvestmentsandbudgets.

Byrecordingthisinformationinasystematicway,CNCAstatementswillhelpLBBD:

(i) demonstratethevalueopenspacesprovidetosociety(evenifthevalueofonlyasubsetofsuchbenefitscanbemeasured)

(ii)revealwhoreceivessuchbenefitsandhowthesecanhelpwiththedeliveryofthestatutoryservicesoftheCouncil

(iii)improvedecision-makingbymakingclearerthelinkbetweentheenvironmentalmanagementandtheeconomicperformance(value)ofnatural capital assets

An important aspect of CNCA is that it creates a baseline statement of natural assetextent,conditionandvaluewhichisusedasareferencepointagainstwhich the future status of natural capital can be monitored and reported in subsequentreportingperiods.AsthisisthefirstCNCAforLBBD,thisaccountwillprovidethefirstbaselinefortheperiod2016/17.

Theaccountcanalsoprovidethebasisfordevelopingabusinesscaseforfuturemanagementandfundingarrangementsandfortheleveragingofinvestment.Annex1providesfurtherinformationontheCNCAapproach,includinganexplanationofthedifferentstagesoftheprocessandkeyterms.

PrivateValue(PV£m)

External Value(PV£m)

Total Value (PV£m)

Assets

Baseline Value 419 419

CumulativeGains/(Losses)

Additions/(DisposalsorConsumption)

RevaluationsandAdjustments

Gross Asset Value - 419 419

Liabilities

LegalProvisions -

OtherMaintenanceProvisions (108) nil (108)

Total Net Maintenance Provisions

(108) (108)

Total Net Natural Capital Assets

- 419 310

Notes:ThisbalancesheetisbasedonthenaturalcapitalaccountwhichprovidesadequatecoverageofthebenefitsfromLBBD’sassetsforthepurposesofdevelopingaCNCA.Furtheriterationsoftheaccountmightaimtoextendthiscoverage,forexample,byincludingestimatesforbenefitsnotcurrentlycovered,suchasmentalhealthbenefits.Assetvaluesandliabilitiesarereportedinpresentvalue(PV)termscalculatedasthediscountedflowoffuturevalueover100years,usingavariablediscountrateassuggestedbyGreenBookGuidance(2003&updated2011):3.5%for0-30years,3.0%for31-75,and2.5%for76-100years.

Table 10.2 - Natural capital balance sheet for LBBD (15 May 2017)


10.4 NATURAL CAPITAL ASSET REGISTERThe natural capital asset register shows the natural capital assets, their size, and wheredataisavailable,theircondition.

ThisSectiondescribeshowtheprojectteamandstaffinLBBDdevelopedtheassetregister,givinganinventorythatholdsdetailsofthestocksofnaturalcapitalassetsitownsand/ormanages.

10.4.1 DevelopmentTheaccountassetregisterforLBBDhasbeencompiledbyallocatingthesitesidentifiedwithintheOpenSpaceAssessmenttothebroadhabitattypes(accountingunits)usedintheUKNationalEcosystemAssessment(2011)(seeTable10.3foralistofthese).

TheassetregisterislargelycompleteintermsofthespatialextentofassetsbasedonthespacesdefinedintheParks&OpenSpacesStrategy.Buttherearegaps,largestofwhicharelikelytobeinrelationtogreenspacessuchas‘GreenBelt’land,allotmentsandcemeteriesthatwerenotincludedwithintheoriginalOpenSpaceAssessment.Furtherdataonthesesitescanbesought,butprioritiesforfillinggapsshouldbebasedonitspotentialtoinformmanagement,i.e.whetherthedataisofrelevancetofulfillingtheobjectivesofdecision-makers.

10.4.2 ResultsTable 10.3 presents the natural capital asset register for LBBD, organised by greenspacetypologyasidentifiedintheLondonPlan(2015)andtheaccountingunitsforCNCA.Theregisterincludestheoverallextent(areainhectares(ha))ofdifferenttypesofhabitat,aswellastheproportionin‘Good’,‘Fair’,or‘Poor’condition.

Asshown,amenitygrassland(184ha)andneutralgrassland(110ha)comprisethe largest area of habitat for each type of park. District Parks make up the largestarea(319hectares),followedbyLocalParks(89hectares).HalfofDistrictParksare‘Good’quality(50%),andsimilarproportionforLocalParks‘Fair’(53%).SmallOpenSpaceshavethelowestproportionofareaclassifiedas‘Good’quality(33%).

QualityisbasedonthemethodologysetoutintheOpenSpacesAssessment,which included an assessment of the quality of each greenspace against a set of criteria based on the 2003 assessment of greenspace quality.

AsfurtheriterationsofLBBD’saccountarecompletedovertime,theassetregister can be used to track the extent and quality of natural capital assets againstthisbaselineposition.RefertoTable10.3.

10.4.3 Data gaps and limitationsThe most important asset register data gap that could be addressed by further researchis:incorporateareasthatarenotcurrentlyincludedaspartoftheOpenSpaceAssessment(including‘GreenBelt’land,allotments,streettrees,andcemeteries).TheseareasmaycontributesignificantlytothebenefitsprovidedbygreeninfrastructureinLBBD,includingcarbonsequestrationandairpollutionmitigation.Theymayalsoprovidesignificantvaluestolargepopulationsthathavefewalternativegreenspacesavailable.

Table10.3-LBBDnaturalcapitalassetregister,2017data(hectares)

Table 10.3


10.5 PHYSICAL FLOW ACCOUNTPhysicalflowaccountsshowtheannualflowsofenvironmental(ecosystem)servicesprovidedbynaturalcapitalinbiophysicalterms.ThisSectiondescribeshowwedevelopedthisaccountfortheservicescapturedintheCNCAforLBBD.

10.5.1 DevelopmentFollowingthecompilationofasset,areaandqualityinformationintheassetregister,thephysicalflowaccountreportstheestimatedannualbenefitsprovidedfromtheseassets.Theaccountreportstheannualflowinthebaselineyear2016/17(Table10.4).Itcurrentlycapturesasubsetofbenefitsfromtheassets,including:

• Recreation(focusingonthenumberofvisitstogreenspaces).• Physicalhealthbenefits(welfarebenefitsfromexerciseundertaken

outdoors).• Climateregulation(focusingontonnesofcarbonsequestered).

ThesebenefitshavebeenselectedinordertocoverthosethatareexpectedtobeamongstthemostsignificantintheLBBDaccount,andwheredataisavailable.Themethodsforestimatingeachofthesebenefitsinphysicaltermsareasfollows:

• Recreation–ThenumberofvisitstositeswithinLBBDhasbeenestimatedusingtheOutdoorRecreationValuationTool(ORVal)developedbytheUniversityofExeterforDefra78.ORValisanonlinetoolthatallowsuserstoexploretherecreationaluseandwelfarevalueofaccessibleopenspacesinEngland.ThetoolisbasedonthenationallyrepresentativeMonitorofEngagementwiththeNaturalEnvironment(MENE)surveywhichusesinterviewswithaweeklyquotasample,conductedsince2009.Thisdataisaggregated,usingpopulationweights,toestimatevisitstoopen spaces across the whole of England. The tool takes into account substituteswhenestimatingtherecreationalvaluesofagivensite,e.g.existenceofparksnearby.Themodelcanalsoestimatewhatproportionofvisitstoasitewillbenew(additional)ordisplacedfromelsewhere,whenthequality/accessibilityofasitechanges.

ORValestimatesthat2.9millionvisitsaremadetoLBBDparksandopenspaceseachyear.Theseresultsaresubdividedbysocio-economicgroups:

• 0.9millionvisitsarefromtheABsocio-economicgroup(SEG)79 • 1.0 million from C1 • 0.5 from C2• 0.5 million from DE

AparticularpointofinterestishowtheproportionofvisitsfromeachSEGalignswithLBBarkingandDagenham’spopulationbreakdown.Comparingthebreakdowntodatareleasedfromthe2011census(ONS,2011)showsthatthesmallestcategory(AB),whichmakesuparound12%ofLBBDpopulation,ismakingnearlythelargestnumberofvisits(~31%),andthelargestcategory(DE),around33%oftheLBBDpopulation,ismakingtheleastamountofvisits(~17%oftotal).ItshouldbenotedthatmethodsforestimatingnumbersofvisitsbysocialgroupsarestillunderdevelopmentinORVal,andsothisinformationhasgreateruncertaintythantheoverallvisitornumbers.However,LBBDmayfinditusefultotrackthisinformationinfuture,aschangesinthe

make-upofvisitscanhaveimplicationsforhealthinequalitiesandmayhelptoassesswhetherresourcesareevenlydistributedacrosstheBorough,andthatcertainpartssufferfrompooraccess.

• Physicalhealth–UKActive(2014)ranksLBBDasoneofthemostinactiveboroughsinthecountry(138outof150),andthelowestinLondon.Thissurveyestimatesthat35%oftheborough’spopulationisinactivewhichgeneratesacostofinactivityofover£23mperannum.Clearlythisisanareaforimprovementandtheissueisnotsolelyoneofextentofgreenspaceprovision.Forexample,theLBofIslingtonhasthelowestpercentageofgreenspaceofallLondonBoroughs(8%),yethasoneofthelowestinactiveratesinthecountry(20%).Itisestimatedthatoverhalftherecreationalvisitswithintheboroughareactive80(51.5%,Whiteetal(2016))givinganestimateof1.5mactivevisitsperyear.Ofthese,around39%areundertakenby‘activepeople’whomeetweeklyrecommendedguidelinesforphysicalactivity(whiteetal.,2016).

• Climateregulation–TheaverageUKcarbonsequestrationratesforthethreemainhabitattypes(i.e.woodland,amenitygrassland,andneutralgrassland)havebeenappliedtotheareaofeachhabitat(asmeasuredandcompiledbasedonLBBDaspartofthisstudy).Woodlandisassociatedwithtotalcarbonequivalent(CO2te)sequestrationofover100tonnesperyear,whileamenityandneutralgrasslandareassociatedwithover359tonnesand65tonnesrespectively.

Furtherdetailsonsources,methods,andassumptionsforeachcalculationareprovidedinAppendix8.

Thephysicalflowaccount,whichpresentstheaboveinphysicalunits,isthebasisforcalculatingtheeconomicvalueinmonetaryterms,inthemonetaryaccount.

10.5.2 ResultsTable10.4showsthephysicalflowaccountforthenaturalcapitalbenefitsthatare within the scope of this CNCA.

10.5.3 Data gaps and limitationsTheunquantifiedareastoconsiderforresearchtofurtherdevelopthenaturalTheunquantifiedareastoconsiderforresearchtofurtherdevelopthenaturalcapitalphysicalflowaccountare:

• Forsomeservicesprovidedbynaturalcapital,dataisnotreadilyavailable.Forexample,airpollutionmitigationandwaterflowattenuation(forfloodriskmanagement)fromdifferentsitesinLBBDwouldrequiremodellingthat is not in the scope of this project.

• Recreationalvisitnumbersmayrepresentasignificantunderestimateastheydonotincludethosebychildrenundertheageof16(aspertheparametersoftheMENEsurvey).

• Theimpactthatopenspacesandgreenspaceshavebyenhancingpropertyvaluesislikelytobesignificant(e.g.inthehundredsofmillions),howeverduetothescopeofthisprojectandthecomplexitiesinmodellingthenumberofpropertieswithinGIS,afullanalysisfortheBoroughwasnotundertaken. With adequate GIS knowledge and data layers, this analysis couldbecarriedoutinfuture.Ifthisbenefitisusedinfuture,overlapwithothertypesofbenefitsneedtobeassessed.

Spatialaccountingunit by natural capitalbenefit

Indicator Units Baseline year2015/16

Recreation SEGABvisits millionvisitsperyear

0.9

SEGC1visits millionvisitsperyear

1.0

SEGC2visits millionvisitsperyear

0.5

SEGDEvisits millionvisitsperyear

0.5

Totalnumberofvisits millionvisitsperyear

2.9

Physical health Numberofactivevisits millionvisitsperyear

1.5

Climateregulation Total carbon dioxideequivalentsequestered from woodland

tCO2eperyear 101

Total carbon dioxide equivalentsequesteredfrom amenity grassland

tCO2eperyear 359

Total carbon dioxide equivalentsequesteredfrom neutral grassland

tCO2eperyear 65

Table 10.4 - LBBD physical flow account (various units) (2016 - 2017)


10.6 MONETARY FLOW ACCOUNTThemonetaryflowaccountshowstheeconomicvalueofthebenefitsfromnaturalcapitalthataccruetotheorganisationwhichowns/managestheassets(privatebenefits)andthosethataccruetoothers(externalbenefits).ThissectiondescribeshowthemonetaryflowaccountforLBBDwasdeveloped,buildingonthephysicalflowaccountpresentedinSection10.5.

10.6.1 DevelopmentTheadvantageofusingtheUKNEAhabitattypesinthenaturalcapitalassetregistry(asinTable10.3)isthatitisanestablishedclassificationthatalignswiththeevidencebase,developedaspartoftheUKNEA(2011),andusedinanumberofServicesGuide’(Defra,2007)andsupplementaryguidancetotheGreenBookonvaluingenvironmentalimpacts(HMTreasuryandDefra,2012).Further,itiseasilyreconciledwiththeNaturalCapitalCommittee’sclassificationofbroadhabitats.Thehabitatclassificationsthereforehelpinlinkingthephysicalflowaccounttothevaluationevidenceusedtoconstructthemonetaryflowaccount.

Monetaryestimatesweredevelopedasfollows:• Recreation–TherecreationalvalueoftripstoBarkingandDagenham’s

greenspaceswasestimatedusingORVal.Eachyearthe2.9millionvisitsmadetogreenspacesinLBBDareestimatedtoprovideavalueofover£11million.Ofthistotal:• around£3millionareassociatedwithSEGAB• nearly£4millionwithC1• £4millionareassociatedwithC2andDE.Thisestimatedvaluedoesnottakeintoconsiderationvisitsbytouristsandchildrenundertheageof16andisthusanunderestimate.Nonetheless,theassessmenthighlightsthatLBBD’sopenspacesprovidesignificantrecreationalbenefitstothelocalpopulation.

• Physical health–ToestimatethevalueofthehealthbenefitsprovidedbyLBBD’sparksandopenspaces,UKActiveestimatestheproportionofLBBD’spopulationthatisinactive(approx.35%)andtheannualcosttothelocaleconomyasaresultofphysicalinactivity,(over£23million),whichincludestreatingdiseasesandsickness/absencesfromwork.Thesefigureswereusedtoestimatetheaveragecostsperinactivepersonintheborough(£326)(UKActive,2014).Thephysicalactivityguidelineof5visitsperweektranslatestoatotalof260activevisitsperyear.Therefore,asitecanbeassumedtosupporttheentirephysicallyactivelifestyleforonepersonwithevery260activevisitsitreceives.ForLBBD,anestimated1,491,641activevisitsaremade,meaningLBBDsiteshavethecapacitytosupporttheentirephysicallyactivelifestyleof5,737peopleperyear(1,491,641/260).Thevalueoftheseactivelifestylescanbeinferredusingavoidedmedicalcostsofinactivity,anestimated£326forLBBD.Thisgivesanestimateofthevalueofphysicalactivityundertakenoutdoors,intermsofavoidedhealthcosts,ofover£1.9millionperyear.

Itshouldbenotedthatitisnotbeingassumedthatactiveresidentswouldnotpartakeinphysicalactivityifthegreenspacesdidnotexist,ratherthisestimateishighlightingthevalueofphysicalactivityundertakenin,andsupportby,BarkingandDagenham’sgreenspaces.

• Climate regulation–DECCguidance(2014)wasfollowedtoestimatethevalueofcarbonsequestered.TheaveragesequestrationratesforthethreemainhabitattypespresentedinthephysicalflowaccountwerecoupledwithDECCnon-tradedcarbonvalues.Thetotalestimatedvalueofcarbonsequesteredisjustover£33kperyear,withcarbonsequesteredbyamenityandneutralgrasslandrepresentingthevastmajorityofthisvalue(£27k).ThecomparativelylowvaluesforcarbonsequestrationsuggeststhatitisnotcurrentlyasignificantserviceprovidedbysiteswithintheBorough.However,itispossiblethatotherhabitatnotincludedwithinthesitescoveredbythisassessment(e.g.‘GreenBelt’land)mayprovideamoreimportantclimateregulationservice.

AdetaileddescriptionofthemethodsandsourcesusedtoestimatemonetaryvaluesisprovidedinAnnex7and8.

10.6.2 ResultsTable 10.5 presentsthemonetaryflowaccountforLBBD.Thevalueofeachnaturalcapitalbenefithasbeenestimatedbasedoninformationcompiledaspartofthephysicalflowaccount.

Thefigureof£13m(£11.2m+£1.9m+£0.03m)isusedasanestimateofannualbenefits,inperpetuity,whichhaveatotalvalueovertimeof£419minpresentvalueterms (seeTable10.7).

Itshouldbenotedthattherecreationalvaluesandhealthvaluesareconsideredadditive,eventhoughtheybothrelatetorecreationalvisits.Thisisbecausetheformerisareflectionoftheincreasedwelfareofindividualswhomakerecreationalvisits.Thelatterisbasedontheavoidedhealthtreatmentcostswithinthehealthcaresystemasaresultofphysicalactivityundertakenduringrecreationalvisits.

10.6.3 Data gaps and limitationsThemonetaryflowaccountpresentedinthisSectionshouldbeinterpretedinthecontextofthefollowingkeylimitations:

• TheaccountdoesnotassessallservicesprovidedbyLBBD’snaturalcapitalassetsbutitdoesincludeseveralofthosedeemedtobemostsignificanttourbangreenspace.Otherserviceswhichlikelyprovideimportantvalues,suchaspollutionmitigation(airquality),biodiversity,andwaterflowattenuation,arenotcurrentlyassessedintheaccount.Theseserviceswere not measured due to their being beyond the scope of the study (i.e.thedetailedairqualitymodellingrequiredtoderivephysicalvaluesforpollutionmitigationwasnotinscope),alackofscientificevidence(e.g.forfloodriskmitigation),andalackofeconomicvaluationevidence(e.g.forbiodiversity).Itislikelythattosomeextenttheseservicesarepartiallycapturedinthevalueofotherecosystemservicesthattheysupport.Overall,theaccountconveyssignificantvaluesattributabletoLBBD’snaturalcapitalassets,andsubsequentiterationscanbuildontheseestimatesandprovideamoreuptodateanduniformpictureoftheaccount.

• Recreationalvaluesmayrepresentasignificantunderestimateasvaluesdonotincludebenefitstonon-localsandchildrenundertheageof16.

10.7 NATURAL CAPITAL MAINTENANCE COST ACCOUNTMonetary cost accounts show the spending on maintaining natural capital assets.TheinformationreportedcomesfromtheexistingfinancialaccountsthatincludeLBBD’smanagementoftheassets.ThisSectiondescribeshowwedevelopedthemaintenancecostaccountforLBBD’sparksandopenspaces.

10.7.1 DevelopmentThebenefitsofparksandopenspacesareanoutputofotherformsofcapitalaswellasnaturalcapital.Forexample,aparkprovidesbenefitsfromitsvegetation(naturalcapital),butalsofromtheworkofparkkeepers(humancapital)andinfrastructurelikepaths(builtcapital)thatmaintainnaturalcapitaland allow access to it.

The maintenance cost account has been prepared on the basis of the total costsrequiredtomaintainalltheservicesprovidedbyparksandopenspaces,suchasoperating,cleaningandmaintainingchangingfacilities,playgroundequipment maintenance, etc. as well as managing natural elements such as woods and grassland.

DiscussionwithLBBD’sfinanceteamidentifiedthetypeofexpensesandthecostcentreswhichwererelevantforcapturingthemaintenancecostsofparksandopenspaces.Twentyonecostcentresunderthesummaryfinancialaccountshierarchyof‘ParksGeneral’and‘ParksandOpenSpaces’wereidentified,providingacomprehensivepictureofmaintenanceactivity.Extractreportswereproducedforallincomeandexpensesinthefinancialyear2016/17.Onlyfullreportsforthepreviousfinancialyearonlywereavailablefortheanalysis,creatingadegreeofuncertaintyinrespectofmakinganestimateoflong-runmaintenancecosts.Thiswasaddressedintwoways.

Spatialaccountingunit by natural capitalbenefit

Indicator Units Baseline year2015/16

Recreation (Totalvalueofvisits) £mperyr 11.2SEG AB £mperyr 3.3SEG C1 £mperyr 3.9SEG C2 £mperyr 1.9SEG DE £mperyr 2.0

Physical health Value of physical activitysupported(avoidedcostsofinactivity)

£mperyr 1.9

Climate regulation

(Totalvalueofcarbonsequestered)

£mperyr 0.03

Woodland £mperyr 0.01

Amenity and neutral grassland

£mperyr 0.02

Table 10.5 - LBBD monetary flow account (various units) (2016-2017)


First,thesuppliedfigureswerecomparedwiththelocalgovernmentspendinganalysistoolESPRESSO,andthefiguresobtainedforLBBDParksandOpenspacesfor2014/15talliedcloselywiththegrossspendfor2016/17.Secondly,atime-seriesofthedatasetcanprovideconfidenceintherobustnessofthefiguresused.

Thelevelsofcapitalspendonparkfixedassets(suchasplayingfacilities,fencingetc.)forthelastthreeyearswereusedtotestthereasonablenessofthecurrentyear’sdepreciationchargeandtoassessthestabilityofcapitalexpenditure.Theaveragelevelofcapitalspendoverthethreeyearperiodwasstableandcloselymatchedthecurrentlevelofdepreciation.Consequentlyitwasdeterminedthatthecurrentdepreciationchargeprovidedareasonableestimateofcapitalmaintenanceinthelongrun.Thesechecksprovidedahighdegreeofconfidenceinthestabilityofspendlevels.

10.7.2 ResultsThecostsofmaintainingtheservicesdeliveredbynaturalcapitalhavebeenestimatedat£3.4mperannum.Asummaryofthebreakdownofcostsbycategory is shown in Table 10.6 below.

Thefigureof£3.4misusedasanestimateofannualmaintenancecostinperpetuity,equatingtoanongoingliabilityof£108minpresentvalueterms(seeliabilitiesintheaccountinTable10.7).Thisisanestimateofthetotalcostsofmaintainingtheborough’sparksandopenspacesintothefuture.

10.7.3 Data gaps and limitationsCNCA encourages a deeper understanding of natural capital maintenance activitybypromotingtheseparationofmaintenancecostsinrespectoflegalobligationsandinrespectofotherrequirements.Inthecontextofparksandopenspaces,itwasrecognisedmanylegalobligationsarelikelytorelatetothesafetyofequipmentandfacilitiesprovidedratherthanrequirementstomaintainnaturalassetsperse.Thisisanareathatcouldprovideusefulinsightsand could be worth considering for future enhancements to the accounts.

10.8 CONCLUSIONS10.8.1 Natural Capital Balance Sheet

ThefinaloutputofaCNCAisthenaturalcapitalbalancesheet.Itshowsthebenefitsofnaturalcapitalassetsunder‘Assets’andthemaintenancecostsunder‘Liabilities’;itaimstogiveareasonablerepresentationofmaterialcostsandofasubsetofbenefits.ThisSectionsummarisestheaccountevidencefortheassetsandbenefitsthatareinwithinthescopeoftheCNCAforLBBD.

Basedontheinformationcompiledfortheaccount,Table10.7setsoutanaturalcapitalbalancesheetforLBBD’sparksandopenspaces.Assetvaluesandliabilitiesarereportedinpresentvalue(PV)terms,calculatedinperpetuity,asthediscountedflowoffuturevalue.Thismethodisbasedontheconceptthatthevalueofanassetisthetotalvalueofthebenefitsitcanprovideoveritslifetime.ThevaluesthataccrueindifferentfutureperiodsarediscountedsothattheyareexpressedinpresentvaluetermsthroughdiscountingataraterecommendedintheHMTreasuryGreenBook(2003&update2011).

Theassetvalueswerecalculatedbyfirstaggregatingallannualvaluespresented in Table 10.5. Discounted annual costs were then subtracted to arriveatanetvalue.

Therowsintheassetandliabilitypartsofthebalancesheetmirrorafinancialbalancesheet.ThebalancesheetgivesareasonablerepresentationofmaterialcostsandasubsetofbenefitsfromparksandopenspacesinLBBD.

OneusefulinsightthatCNCAprovidesisacomparisonbetweenthevaluesfornaturalassetsasrecognisedinthefinancialaccounts,andthemorecomprehensivevaluationprovidedbytheCNCA.Valuationdatawasobtained

fromtheFixedAssetRegisterfor18ofthe28in-scopeparksandopenspaces,coveringallthelargerparks.Thetotalvalueofthelandwasrecordedas£8.1m,whichdoesnotincludethevalueofmanufacturedcapitalsuchasfacilitiesandplayequipmentconstructedonthesesites.Thisvaluationrepresentslessthan2%ofthevalueofbenefitsevaluatedinthisstudy.

10.8.2 Key resultsThebalancesheetgivesareasonablerepresentationofmaterialcostsandasubsetofbenefitsfromparksandopenspacesinLBBDTheaccountdetailsthebenefitsdeliveredwhichaccruetothepopulationofLBBDand,inthecaseofcarbonsequestration,therestofsociety.Theservicescapturedwithintheaccountinclude:

• Recreation–ThenumberofvisitstositeswithinLBBDhavebeenassessedusingtheORValtoolwhichestimatesthat2.9millionvisitsaremadetotheborough’sparksandopenspaceseachyear.Theanalysissuggeststhattheannualvalueofthisrecreationisover£11millionperyear.

• Physical health–Theanalysisestimatesthatnearly1.5millionactivevisitsare made to LBBD parks and open spaces each year, helping some 6,000 peoplemeetrecommendedphysicalactivityguidelines.Thevalueofthisphysicalactivityisestimatedatnearly£2millioninavoidedhealthcostsofinactivityperyear.

• Climate regulation–Theaveragesequestrationratesforthethreemainhabitattypes(i.e.woodland,amenitygrassland,andneutralgrassland)havebeenappliedtotheareaofeachhabitat.Thetotalvalueofcarbonsequesteredbythesehabitatsisestimatedtobeover£30kperyear.

Developmentofthemaintenancecostaccountfoundthatthecostsofmaintainingthenaturalcapitalinparksandopenspacesthatdelivertheseservicesareestimatedat£3.4millionperannum.

Theresultsshowthatthenetvalueofnaturalcapitalassetsisestimatedatover£300million81.ThebenefitsfromopenspacesinLBBDareoverfourtimesthecostsofmaintainingtheminperpetuity.Thisvaluationisalsosignificantlygreaterthanthegrossbookvalueoftheland(ataround£8m).

TheCNCAalsoshowsthatthecostsofmanagingnaturalcapitalinLBBD’sparksandopenspacesappearinfinancialaccountsoftheCouncil,buttheresultinghealth,wellbeingandeconomicbenefitsforthepopulationofBarking&Dagenham do not.

10.8.3 Discussion TheCNCAforLBBDhighlightsthesignificantvaluesdeliveredbynaturalcapitalassetssuchasparksandopenspaces.Italsoprovidesavaluableresourceintermsoforganisingandlinkingdataonnaturalcapitalandcommunicatingthosebenefitsthatareinvisible,(ifonlythefinancialaccountsareconsidered).

LBBD is only the second London Borough to formally create a baseline CNCA foritsparksandopenspaces(therehavebeenpartialbenefitassessmentsdevelopedforotherBoroughs).Asaresult,therearelikelytobeopportunitiesforfurtherlearningandrefinementoftheaccount,buttheresultsshowthatthevaluesdeliveredbyparksandopenspacesaresubstantial(withnetbenefitsaroundfourtimesthecosts)andcanbeconsideredasagoodguidetoinformdecision-makers.

Expenditure AnnualCost(£m) Comments

Payroll related 1.476 Costsoflabourtimespentonparksactivity

Grounds maintenance

1.034

Recharges 0.242

Depreciation 0.234

Misc & other costs 0.415

TOTAL 3.401m

Table 10.6 - LBBD natural capital maintenance cost account (2016/17)

NC Balance Sheet at 15 May 2017 PrivateValue(PV£m)

External Value (PV£m)

Total Value (PV£m)

Assets

Baseline Value 419 419

CumulativeGains/(Losses)

Additions/(DisposalsorConsumption)

RevaluationsandAdjustments

Gross Asset Value - 419 419

Liabilities

LegalProvisions -

OtherMaintenanceProvisions (108) nil (108)

TotalNetMaintenanceProvisions (108) (108)

Total Net Natural Capital Assets - 419 310

Notes: AssetvaluesandliabilitiesarereportedinPVtermscalculatedasthediscountedflowoffuturevalueover100years,usingavariablediscountrateassuggestedbyGreenBookGuidance(2003&updated2011):3.5%for0-30years,3.0%for31-75,and2.5%for76-100years.

Table 10.7 - LBBD natural capital balance sheet (£)


Thedevelopmentoftheaccounthasconfirmedthatthereisenoughinformationavailabletodevelopameaningfulaccountthathighlightsthesignificanceofvaluesfromthenaturalcapitalassetsthatarenotcapturedinconventionalfinancialaccounts.Thisaccountcanbeupdatedovertime,providingausefulresourceforfuturemonitoring,decision-makingandanalysis.

Itshouldbenotedthattheaggregationofrecreationandphysicalhealthvalueshasthepotentialtodouble-countsomeofthebenefits,assomepeoplepartakeinrecreationactivelyenoughtogeneratehealthbenefits.However,theuseofavoidedhealthcoststovaluethephysicalactivityundertakenwithingreenspacesreducesthisdouble-countingtoanegligiblelevel,soitisnotconsideredasignificantinaccuracy.

Thisiterationofthebalancesheetaimstoestablishabaselineagainstwhichgainsandlossescanbecalculatedinfutureaccountingperiods.Furtheriterationsoftheaccountmayalsoextendthecoverageof:

• The whole account, by including natural capital assets other than parks andopenspaces(e.g.streettrees,privateland)

• Themonetaryaccount,byincludingfurtherbenefits,suchasairqualityregulation

• Financial returns from natural capital that may already be captured by the Council in terms of rents, or captured by others in terms of property values

Thesecouldchangethebalancesheetposition.

Thephysicalandmonetaryflowaccountscanbeusedtotrackhowandwhynaturalcapitalassetvalueschangeovertime,includingtheinfluenceofmanagementdecisionsbyLBBD.Forexample,changesinthenumberofvisitorstotheopenspaces,whichcouldbeduetoanincreaseinlocalpopulation,changesintheirhabitsand/orchangesinthequalityoforaccesstotheopenspaces,wouldbereflectedinthephysicalflowaccount.Thiswouldthenresultinachangeinthemonetaryflowaccountwherethenumberofvisitorsismultipliedbythevalueperrecreationalvisit.Achangeinthevalueperrecreationalvisitwouldonlybereflectedinthemonetaryflowaccount.Bothofthesechangeswouldfeedintothebalancesheetandtheirinterpretationcouldhelpdecision-makerstoidentifyopportunitiesandriskstobettermanagethefactorsthataffectassetvalues.

10.8.4 Data gaps and limitationsAn important omission of data could be addressed by further research to developthenaturalcapitalassetregistertoincludeareaswithinLBBDthatarenotcurrentlyincludedaspartoftheOpenSpaceAssessment(including‘GreenBelt’land,privateland,allotments,andcemeteries).TheseareasmaycontributesignificantlytothebenefitsprovidedbygreeninfrastructureinLBBD,includingadditionalcarbonsequestrationandairpollutionmitigation.Theymayalsoprovidesignificantvaluestolargepopulationsthathavefewalternativegreenspacesavailable.

Theaccountdoesnotencompassallofthebenefitsdeliveredbynaturalcapitalassets,althoughitdoesincludethoseconsideredtobemostsignificant.Furtherresearchcouldcover:

• Thecalculationofairqualityregulationprovidedbyhabitatsthroughpollutionabsorption.Methodsfordevelopingtheseestimatesare

currentlybeingfurtherdevelopedthroughwork-ledbytheCentreforEcologyandHydrology,involvingeftec,fortheOfficeforNationalStatistics(ONS).Resultsfromthisworkcaninformfutureiterationsofthisaccount.

• Thefloodriskreductionbenefitsprovidedbynaturalhabitats(whichrequirelocalmodelling)couldalsobeestimated.

• Theimpactthatopenspacesandgreenspaceshaveonenhancedpropertyvaluesislikelytobesignificant(e.g.inthehundredsofmillionsofpounds).HoweverduetothescopeofthisprojectandthecomplexitiesinmodellingthenumberofpropertiesinGIS,afullanalysisofpropertyvalueimpactswasnotundertaken.WithadequateGISknowledgeanddata layers, this analysis could be carried out in future, but care would be neededtoassesspotentialdouble-counting.

• Recreationalvaluesmayrepresentasignificantunderestimateasvaluesdonotincludebenefitstonon-localsandchildrenundertheageof16.

• ThisstudyprovidesforanestimateofnaturalcapitalmaintenancecostsandopportunitiesforrefinementhavebeenidentifiedandwillbesharedwithLBBD’sfinanceteam.

• Whethersomeofthehealthbenefitsidentified(theavoidedhealthcosts)areactuallyprivatevaluestoLBBD(inthattheyareavoidedhealthtreatmentcoststhatwouldhavetobemetfromthesocialcarebudgetofLBBD)requiresfurtherdiscussion.EvidenceisnotcurrentlyavailabletoestimatewhatproportionoftheavoidedhealthcostswouldhavetobemetbyLBBDandwhatproportionfromothersources(e.g.theNHSformosttreatments,andemployersforlostworkforceproductivity)inordertoattributethembetweentheprivateandexternalpartsoftheaccount.Furtherinvestigationcouldtrytoestablishwhetherevidenceisavailabletoattributebenefitsinthisway.

Itshouldbenotedthatmanyoftheservicesprovidedareco-dependentorintrinsicallylinkedandtheadditionofestimatesofthevaluesofdifferentservicesprovidedbythesamehabitats/spacesincreasestheriskofdouble-counting.Thereturnsoneffortstoincludemoreandmoreservicesthereforediminish,asfurthervaluescannotalwayssimplybeaddedtotheaccount.However,furthervaluationsofserviceswouldcontributetounderstandingthedistributionofvaluesprovided,bothspatiallyandacrosssocialgroups.Thisshould remain a point to be considered in future updates of the account.

Previousworkhashighlightedtheneedtodevelopaformalplantocommunicatethefindingsofthenaturalcapitalaccount.TheCNCAcanbeaverypowerfultoolaslongasitisusedappropriately.Itisrecommendedthatmaintenancecostestimatesintheaccountarelinkedtothecouncil’saccountingsystemtoautomatetheirproductionasfaraspracticalinfuture.

NOTES76 Assessmentofthevalueofanasset,basedonthetotalincomeexpected

toberealizedoveritseconomiclifespan,inthiscase,inperpetuity.

77 Greeninfrastructureisthenetworkofgreenspaces(aswellasfeaturessuchasstreettreesandgreenroofs)thatisplanned,designedandmanagedtodeliverarangeofbenefits,including:• Healthyliving.• Mitigatingflooding.• Improvingairandwaterquality.• Coolingtheurbanenvironment.• Encouraging walking and cycling.• Enhancingbiodiversityandecologicalresilience(GreenInfrastructure

TaskForce,2015).Itisatermthatrepresentsapproachingparticularnaturalcapitalassetsfromalanduseplanningpointofview;greeninfrastructureisatypeofnaturalcapital.Naturalcapitalreferstothewidernaturalenvironment,includinggeology,soil,air,waterandalllivingthings.

78 Availableonline:http://leep.exeter.ac.uk/orval/.

79 SEGsareaclassificationthatgroupspeoplewithsimilarsocialandeconomicstatus:A–Highmanagerial,administrativeorprofessional;B-Intermediatemanagerial,administrativeorprofessional;C1–supervisory,clericalandjuniormanagerial,administrativeorprofessional;C2–Skilledmanualworkers;andD–Semiandunskilledmanualworkers;andE-state pensioners, casual or lowest grade workers, unemployed with state benefitsonly.

80 Definedasmorethan30minsindurationandofintensitygreaterthanorequalto3MetabolicEquivalenceofTask(METs).METsarearatioofthemetabolicrateofoxygenconsumptionassociatedwithanactivitycomparedtotherestingrate.FormoreinformationseeAinsworthetal.(2011).

81 Thefigureisthepresentvalueinperpetuityforrecreational,physicalhealthandcarbonsequestrationbenefits.


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Luttik,J.(2000).Thevalueoftrees,waterandopenspacesasreflectedbyhousepricesintheNetherlands,LandscapeandUrbanPlanning,48(3-4),161-167.

Mourato, S., Atkinson, G., Collins, M., Gibbons, S., MacKerron, G., Resende, G., Church,A.,Molloy,D.,Morling,P.,&Pretty,J.(2011).UKNationalEconomicAssessment:AssessmentofEcosystemRelatedUKCulturalServices.

NationalinstituteforHealthandCareExcellence(NICE)(2016).Glossary.Availableonline:https://www.nice.org.uk/glossary?letter=q

NaturalCapitalCommittee(2017).Improvingnaturalcapital,anassessmentofprogress.FourthreporttotheEconomicAffairsCommittee.Availableonline:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/585429/ncc-annual-report-2017.pdf

NaturalEngland(2010).Naturenearby,accessiblenaturalgreenspaceguidance.Availableonline:http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40004

ONS(2011).Approximatedsocialgrade,BarkingandDagenham.Availableonline:https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/QS613EW/view/1946157260?cols=measures

PublicHealthEngland(2016).Physicalactivitydataexplorer.Availableonline:https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/physical-activity/data#page/0/gid/1938132899/pat/6/par/E12000007/ati/102/are/E09000003/iid/90275/age/164/sex/4

Soussana,J.F.;Tallec,T.;andBlanfort,V.(2009).Mitigatingthegreenhousegasbalanceofruminantproductionsystemsthroughcarbonsequestrationingrasslands.AvailableOnline:http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FANM%2FANM4_03%2FS1751731109990784a.pdf&code=3148a5665a431bdda467b20ce538f628

Thomy,B.,Morrison,M.,andBark,R.(2016).Valuingurbanripariancorridors:theinteractionofriparianbuffersandchannelconditionandtheirinfluenceonpropertyprices.Availableat:http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/235637/2/Thomy%20ppt%20upload.pdf

UKActive(2014).Turningthetideofinactivity,dataforBarkingandDagenham.Availableonline:http://www.ukactive.com/turningthetide/la.asp?la=E09000002

UKNationalEcosystemAssessment(2011).TheUKNationalEcosystemAssessment:SynthesisoftheKeyFindings.UNEP-WCMC,Cambridge.

White,M.P.,Elliott,L.R.,Taylor,T.,Wheeler,B.W.,Spencer,A.,Bone,A.,Depledge,M.H.andFleming,L.E.(2016).Recreationalphysicalactivityinnaturalenvironmentsandimplicationsforhealth:Apopulationbasedcross-sectionalstudyinEngland.PreventiveMedicine,91,pp.383-388.

Wolf,K.L.(2007).CityTreesandPropertyValues.ArboristNews16,4:34-36.Availableat:http://www.naturewithin.info/Policy/Hedonics.pdf

LB Barking and Dagenham | Parks and Open Space Strategy | Technical Appendices and Evidence Base

1164

PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT

Parksareforpeopleandit’simportantthatthenewParksandOpenSpacesStrategyrespondstotheneedsandaspirationsoftheboroughsresidents.Thereareanumberofspecificreasonsforthis:

• Satisfactionwiththeborough’sparksandopensspacesiscurrentlylowrelativetootherLondonboroughs.Theimplementationofthestrategyshouldhelptoimprovelevelsofsatisfaction.

• Parksandopenspacescandeliveravarietyofpositiveoutcomesforresidents but these can only happen if people use parks and open spaces. Thestrategyneedstoaddressresidents’concernstomakeparksmorepopular.

• Thecouncilwantspeopletobemoreinvolvedindaytodaydecisionsaboutparksandwantstosupportvolunteeringopportunitiesinparks.

Inordertomeettheseobjectives,wehavecarriedoutadetailedconsultationandengagementprocesstogatherviewsontheboroughsparksandideasfortheirfuturemanagementanddevelopment.

Wehavegatheredinformationinthefollowingways:

• Anon-linequestionnairewasavailableforaperiodofsixweeks.583residentsparticipatedinthesurveyprocess,providinguswithusefulinformationoncurrentuseofparksandthemainissuesfacedbyresidentsusing parks.

• Twopublicmeetingstodiscussthedifferentpartsofthestrategy.• Twopublicmeetingstodiscussmasterplansfortheborough’smost

important parks.• AmeetingwithBarkingandDagenham’sAccessandPlanningForumfor

peoplewithdisabilities.• AmeetingwiththeBADYouthForum.• A workshop with Northbury Primary School.• AmeetingwiththeLeaderandDeputyLeader.• Meetingswithcouncilofficerstoco-ordinatetheParksandOpenSpaces

Strategywithothercouncilinitiativesinrespectofparks,events,planning,health,education,environment,crimeandanti-socialbehaviour.

• AworkshoptodevelopthestrategyActionPlan.• Discussionswithneighbouringboroughstoencouragebestpracticeand

cross-borderworking.• Byusingsocialmedia,gatheringviewsonparksandopenspacesthrough

thecouncil’sFacebookpages.

11.1 ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIREAnin-depthquestionnairethatwascirculatedamongstcommunitymembersand user groups to help us understand how people feel about their parks and whatifatalltheycurrentlyusethemfor.Thequestionnaireranfromthe10thMarchuntilthe24thApril2017andstimulated583responses.

Theoverallthemesemergingfromthequestionnaireshowedthatmanypeoplethoughtthatthesafetyandsecurity,playoffersandcleanlinesswerethemainissues with their local parks and open spaces.

Mayesbrook Park, Parsloes Park, Barking Park and Valence Park were clearly the

mostpopularparksintermsoffrequencyofvisit.81%ofpeoplevisittheirlocalparkbyfoot,70%ofpeoplevisitwiththeirchildrenand54%withapartner.Mostpopularreasonsforvisitingparksincludedgoingforawalk,spendingtimewithchildren,visitingaplayground,walkingadogandenjoyingpeacequietandtranquillity.Alargemajorityofothercommentsmentionedalackofmaintenance,cafefacilitiesandplayoffers.

Whenaskedwhichfacilitiesandservicesaremostimportantinapark65%chosecleanlinessandonly0.3%choseopportunitiestovolunteer.Howeverwhenasked,whatmostneedimprovinginBarkingandDagenhamparks,46%ofrespondentschosefacilitiesforparentsandchildrenastheirtopchoicewithcleanlinessasthesecondchoice(43%).Intermsofimportance,opportunitiestovolunteer(1%)andsportspavilions(3%)werejudgedtobetheleastimportantattractions.

As the following Q.13 shows most respondents consider Barking and Dagenhamparkstobeeithergood(26%)oraverage.Onlyasmallproportionofrespondentsmoredirectlyinvolvedwiththeirlocalpark(95.6%)saidthattheyarenotinvolvedatall,withmoststatingthattheydonothavetime,alackofinformationaboutgettinginvolved.

Thedetailedon-linequestionnaireresponsesappearinAppendix3.

Q11. Looking at the list below, which three things are most important to you in your local parks and open spaces?100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%

Opp

ortunitie

stovolun

teer

The

qual

ity o

f sig

nage

in th

e pa

rk

Sportspavilion

Form

alspo

rtsactiv

ities

(e.g.spo

rtspitche

s) Oth

er

Thequ

ality

oflighti

ng

Theeven

tsinth

epa

rk

Thecafefaciliti

es

Thequ

ality

ofseatin

gan

d pl

aces

to re

stTh

etoiletfacilitie

s

Thecareand

protection

of

nat

ure

and

wild

life

The

appe

aran

ce o

f the

par

k

The

mai

nten

ance

of t

he p

ark

Thequ

ality

offacilitie

sfor

pare

nts

and

child

ren

Feel

ing

safe

in th

e pa

rk

The

clea

nlin

ess

of th

e pa

rk

%ofrespo

nden

ts

0% 1% 1% 3% 3% 4% 5% 8% 11% 14

%

24% 29

%

40% 43

% 48%

65%


11.2 PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENTS

Twopublicconsultationeventswereheldtocapturealargeraudienceandawiderrangeofexistingandpotentialparkusers.ThefirstwasatBarkingLearning Centre on the 18th of March 2017 and the second at Dagenham Library on the 25th of March 2017.

Theaimofthepublicconsultationeventsweretoengagewithpeopleandunderstand what it is that people want from their parks, how they currently useparksandwhattheirfutureaspirationsareforparks.Viewsweregatheredinconversationwithparticipants,withthesecommentsbeingrecordedbyfacilitators. To support the discussion, a number of boards were presented showingdifferentoptionsforparksincludingsports,events,foodgrowing,heritageandcommunityandwildlifeandbiodiversity.Participantswerethenaskedtousered,yellowandgreenstickerstoindicatewhichideastheylike,didn’tlikeoraboutwhichtheyfeltneutral.Membersofthepublicwerealsoofferedtheopportunitytoleavetheircommentstoprovidetheirviewsandopinionsonseveralaspectsaboutparks,eitherindirectresponsetotheimageboardsorinrespectofissuesandopportunitiessignificantforthemincontextof their use and enjoyment of parks.

89%supportedtheideaspresentedontheboardsasaspirationalimages.2%feltneutralabouttheseimages.9%didnotsupporttheimages(with6%votingspecificallyagainstwildlifeandbiodiversity).

Manyparticipantsalsorecordedtheirviewsandopinionsandthesewerelatercategorisedintogenerictopics.35%ofthesecommentsrelatedtotheactivitieswithmanysupportingmoreactivitiesandthingstodoinparks,includingopportunitiestobecomemoreinvolved.Facilitiesandserviceswasthe second most commented on topic, with the key themes running through relatingtoincreasedplayoffers,andbettersafetyandsecuritypotentiallybyintroducing park wardens.

A full record of the responses recorded at these sessions can be found in Appendix 4.

11.3 MASTERPLAN CONSULTATIONS Twopublicmeetingstodiscussmasterplansfortheborough’smostimportantparks

Twodrop-insessionswereheldonthe20thofApril2017atBarkingLearningCentreandonthe27thofApril2017atDagenhamLibrary.Aninvitationtothemeetingswasextendedtothepublicandlocalusergroupsandsportsclubs.Participantswerepresentedwithdrawingsoftheninemasterplanssites.Participantswereaskedtoexpresstheirviewsandopinionsandtoraiseanysignificantissueswiththeproposedmasterplan.Ateachmeetingwhereconcernswereexpressedthesewererecordedandrespondedtoasrevisionstothe masterplan.

DiscussionsatthemeetingatBarkingLibrarymainlysurroundedthemasterplanforGreatfieldsPark.Themainconcernsexpressedwerethatthemaintenanceoftheparkwaspoorandthatpeopledidn’tfeelsafewhenusingthe space. Masterplans for Abbey Green, Barking Park and Mayesbrook Park werealsobrieflydiscussed.

ThemeetingatDagenhamLibraryincludeddiscussionsofmasterplansforOldDagenhamPark,StChad’sPark,ValencePark,CentralParkandEastbrookendCountryPark.Atthismeetings,discussionsfocusedon:

• There-provisionoftheBMXtrackatOldDagenhamPark.• TheprovisionofnewsportsfacilitiesatCentralPark(withafocuson

rugby).• ProposalsforStChad’sPark(withafocusonthebowlingclub).

A full record of the responses recorded at these sessions can be found in Appendix 5.

11.4 MEETING WITH BARKING AND DAGENHAM’S ACCESS AND PLANNING FORUMJonSheaffandAssociatesattendedameetingofBarkingandDagenham’sAccessandPlanningReviewForumonthe7thFebruary2017andgaveapresentationontheParsandOpenSpacesStrategy.

AQandAsessionfollowedthepresentationandthefollowingissueswereraised:

• StateofdisrepairoftennisandpitchanputtfacilitiesinCentralPark.• TenderingoutparksservicestoTenantsAssociationsandtendersensory

anddisabilityinitiativestolocaldisabilityorganisations.• Installationof‘ChangingPlaces’toiletfacilities.• Providingspecificdogareasandmakingotherareasofparksdogfree.• Bettertransportlinksandwayfindingtoandwithinparks.• Lightinginparks.• Bringing park buildings back into use.• Entrancedesignthatimpedeswheelchairusers(e.g.EastbrookendCountry

Park).• Problems with motor bikes.• Useofparksforprivateevents(e.g.weddings).

TheForumrequestedthatpapercopiesofanysurveyscarriedoutaspartoftheStrategyshouldbemadeavailableforpeoplewithdisabilities.

11.5 Meeting with the BAD Youth ForumTheprojectteammettheBADYouthForumonthe28thMarch2017.Forummembersraisedanumberofimportantissuesabouthowyoungpeopleviewtheirlocalparksandopenspacesandmadeaseriesofconstructivesuggestionsforhowtheycouldbettermeettheirneedsinfuture.

JonSheaffandAssociatesintroducedtheStrategyconsultationandsaidtheteamwereparticularlylookingattheeconomic,socialandenvironmentbenefitsoftheBorough’sparksandopenspaces.Thisincludedparksasspaceswhich supported healthy lifestyles and contributed to tackling issues such as childhood obesity.

Thediscussionfocusedonhowparticipantsusedtheirlocalparksandopenspaces,thefacilitiestheylikedandthosethingswhichdeterredthemfromvisitingparks.Finally,theForumwasaskedfortheirviewsonhowparkscouldbeimprovedtobettermeettheirneeds.Thepointsbelowsummarisethemainthreads from the discussion.

1.Parkswhichweenjoyvisitinginclude:• BarkingPark–goingtherewithfamilyandplayingfootball.• GreatfieldsPark–it’speaceful,fulloftreesandagoodplaceforapicnic.• ValancePark–theplayareaandthehill.• ValentinesPark(Ilford)–thewildlifeandbirds,rowingonthelake.

2.Generally,thegoodthingsaboutBarkingandDagenhamParksare:• Kids play areas, but only where they were well used and well maintained.• Trees and wildlife.• Wherethereareopportunitiesforfunfairs,festivalsandevents.• Lotsofparticipantscyclethroughtheparks.

3.Thingswhichputusoffvisitingourlocalparksare:• Where parks are not well maintained. For example, the lake at Barking

Parkwasdescribedas‘dirty’.• Safetyconcerns,particularlyaroundgangsusingtheparks,and

motorcycles in the parks.• Whenthereisnothingtodointhepark,noactivitiesorequipmentforus.• Wherenothingeverchanges–theparkbecomesboring.• Thereareproblemswithhygiene–dogmess/litter/notenoughtoilets.• Where the surfaces of the paths are slippery and make cycling dangerous.• Wheredogownersareirresponsibleanddonotcontroltheirpets–some

participantswereafraidofdogsanddidnotwantthemtobeoffthelead.• Wheretherearenotenoughbenches/placestositandenjoythespace.• Veryfewfoodanddrinkoutletsandtheytendtobeexpensive.

Q13. Overall what is your opinion of parks in Barking and Dagenham?

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%Excellent Very

GoodGood Average Poor Extremely

poorDon’tknow

Very poor

% o

f res

pond

ents

1%

13%

26%

28%

19%

7% 6%

1%


4.Whatwe’dliketoseeinthefuture• Programmesofsportingactivityincludingfootball,basketball,netballand

tennis,andmoresportsfacilitiesparticularlythose,suchasrugby,whichare less common in the Borough.

• Morebenches/placestosit.• A designated dog friendly area which is contained in one area of the park.• Moreplacestoexplore–thereshouldbeareaswhicharemore‘wild’and

whereyoucanfindthingsforyourself.Noteverythingshouldbelaidoutneatly.

• Lotsofparticipantswenttoschoolsthatwerenexttoalocalparkandtheywouldliketoseetheirschoolsusetheparksbetter.Theyunderstoodthatthiswouldneedtobemanagedtoavoidtruancyandbadbehaviourbutfelttheopportunitiestobeoutsidemorewerenotbeingexploitedfully.

• HavingmorefamilyfriendlyareasforBBQsandpicnics.• Moreaffordablefoodanddrinkoutlets.Cafeswerewelcomeandcould

provideadditionalfacilitiessuchasfreeWiFi,toilets,firstaidareas,anddrinking fountains in a safe and secure space.

• Indooractivityspaceslocatedinparkswerealsomentioned,forexamplefor badminton and trampolining.

• Morewildlifeandplants–theviews/sceneryinparkswasimportantandhavinglotsofbenchestostopandenjoyitwasalsoapriority.

• Morefunactivitiesandeventsforyoungpeople–aprogrammeofthingstodointheparks.Thisshouldalsoincludecultural/familyfriendlyeventsfor the whole community.

• Morelightingandbettersecurity.• Play equipment for the right ages and in the right places so it was well

used. It also needed to be maintained so it was safe and fun to use.• Morelitterbins.• More secure bike stands.• Lookforwaysforschoolstothinkdifferentlyabouthowtheyusetheir

nearbyparksforoutdoorlearningandsocialactivities.

Fig.2.1-Asafeplacetostandandfeedtheducksandfish

Fig.2.1-Awaterfountain,slideandfunfair

Fig.2.1-Lotsofsportsfacilitiesincludingfootball,hockey,swimmingandbasketball.Alsoincluded are changing rooms and play equipment.

Fig.2.1-Lotsofsportsfacilitiesincludingfootball,hockey,swimmingandbasketball.Alsoincluded are changing rooms and play equipment.

WHAT WE LIKE WHATWEDON’TLIKE• There are lots of bins and the

parks are kept clean• There is water, fountains and

birds• We like to feed the ducks• There are playgrounds with

swings and slides• There is space for dogs to play • There is lots of space for

children to play• Therearelotsofsportsfacilities

(grassandhardcourts)andwe like to play football and basketball

• Wecanhavepicnicsinthepark• There are lots of trees that we

can sit and read under• We can ride our bikes and

scooters in the park• Sometimestherearefunfairs

whichvisittheparks• If we go to the park we can

meet other children and make friends with them

• We like to learn in the park• Shelter

• Peopledon’tpickupaftertheiranimals so there is dog poo in the parks

• Somepeoplethrowlitterandthis can harm the animals who eat it

• Some people disturb the animals in the park

• Some people smoke, drink alcohol,swearandfightinthepark.Sometimeswedon’tfeelsafe

• The water can be a bit scary if there are no railings around it

• Not enough toilets• Some play equipment gets

brokenandwornsowecan’tuse it. The football goals are too small and the nets are broken

• Sometimestheycutdowntrees


5.Communications• TheYouthForumisparticularlyconcernedabouthowtheCouncil

communicateswithyoungpeopleintheboroughandaskedthat:• Therebebetterinformationavailableaboutcurrentandfutureactivities

in parks, and that this be signposted to young people so they know where to look

• TheybekeptuptodatewiththeworkontheParksandOpenSpacesStrategyviaSallyAllen-Clarke-Sally.Allen-Clarke@lbbd.gov.uk

11.6 A WORKSHOP WITH NORTHBURY PRIMARY SCHOOL A 60 minute workshop was held with nine members of Northbury Primary School’sEcoWarriorsPanel.PupilsattendingrepresentedYear1toYear6.

Theobjectiveswerethat,bytheendoftheworkshop,studentswouldhavehadtheopportunitytodiscuss:

• Theirassessmentofthequalityofthespacesandfacilitiesinlocalparks;• Theirviewsonwhatwouldmakeparksandopenspacesmoreattractiveto

youngpeople;and• Theirprioritiesforthefuture.

What we like and don’t like

Afterintroductions,pupilswereaskedtodiscusswhattheylikedanddidn’tlikeabout their local parks and to agree pros and cons in each of their small groups. InparticularpupilssaidtheyhadexperienceofBarkingPark,AbbeyGreenPark, Valence Park and Mayesbrook Park and their comments related to these spaces.Theysaidthefollowing:

Indiscussionpupilssaidthatparkswhichhadgoodsportsfacilities,lotsofspace,andavarietyofnaturalresources(water,trees,animals)workedwell.Theywereparticularlyconcernedthattherewastoomuchlitter,dogpooandanti-socialbehaviourinsomeparks.Theyalsoidentifiedthesocialsideofparksasopportunitiestomeetnewfriendsandtheyenjoyedschooltripstothepark,where they could learn outside.

What would your ideal park look like?

Pupilswereaskedtoconsidertheprosandconstheyhadidentifiedandtodrawtheiridealpark,includingtheir‘bigideas’forwhatwouldmakeBarking&Dagenham Parks work best for them.

A sample of their work is included on page 66.

Pupilssharedtheirparkdrawingsanddescribedtheir‘bigideas’.Thesewerewrittenonpost-itsandpupilswereeachgiven6votestoshareamongstthebest ideas they had heard. This produced a priority list of the most popular ideas as listed in the adjoining “Big Idea” table.

ConclusionThepupilsexpressedavarietyofideasaboutwhatwouldmakeaparkworkforchildren.Highontheprioritylistwereawiderangeofsportsfacilitiesthathadgoodequipmentandwereavailableforalltouse.Alsoimportantwereplayspacesincludingopenareasaswellasmoreformalchildren’splaygroundswitha wide range of good quality equipment.

Safety was important, including keeping the parks clean for all users, reducing anti-socialbehaviourandensuringopenwaterwasfenced.Waterfountainswere talked about and it was felt that they were important to children who used the parks, as were toilets.

Creativeopportunitieswerealsodiscussedwithindoor‘fun/activityhouse’facilitiesbeingseenasimportant–thesewouldbeplacestoletyourimaginationrunwildanddiscovernewthings.

11.7 MEETINGS WITH COUNCIL OFFICERSInordertoensurethattheemergingParksandOpenSpacesStrategyreflectsandreinforcesotheradoptedcouncilstrategiesandpolicies,anumberofbi-lateralmeetingswereheldwithindividualcouncilofficersasfollows:

EricStein:YouthServicesPrincipalareasofdiscussion:BarkingandDagenham’sChildrenandYoungPeople’sPlan;targetprogrammesandcohorts;deliverypoints;formsofengagement and possible consultees

DanPope:PlanningandRegenerationPrincipalareasofdiscussion:LocalPlanrevisionprogramme;2010parksprovisionstandardandsustainabilityofthis;deploymentofCILandS106fund;LPfundingforimprovementstoaccesstoparks;‘ParticipatoryCity’community planning and management project

EmmaGillian:Sport,HealthandWellbeingPrincipalareasofdiscussion:currentprogrammes;LeisureManagementcontract tender.

ClaireClark:EducationPrincipalareasofdiscussion:sizeofschoolagecohortofborough’sschools;

SargentJamesBrowning:SaferNeighbouroodsTeamPrincipalareasofdiscussion:manpowerresources;forthcomingre-structure/mergerwithHaveringandRedbridge;mainproblemsites;mainissues

11.8 ACTION PLAN WORKSHOPAworkshoptodiscusswithkeystakeholderstheActionPlanelementoftheParksandOpenSpaceswasheldonthe27thApril2017.Thepurposeoftheworkshopwastohelpparticipantstoconsiderasfullyaspossibletheopportunitiesandconstraintsinfuturepartnerships,management,andfundingandgovernancestrategies.TheworkshopwasdesignedtoexpressthroughtheActionPlan,positiveeconomic,socialandenvironmentaloutcomesaccruingfrom parks and open spaces.

Theworkshopconsistedofthefollowingthreeexercises:

• Anintroductoryexercisetoencourageparticipantstothinkabouttheirpersonalrelationshipswiththeirlocalparksandwhattheymightrequireas a user

• Asecondexercisewhereparticipantsweredividedintotwogroupsandaskedtodiscussanddevisetypicalusersandnon–usersofparks.ParticipantswerealsoaskedtoidentifypotentialpartnershipsthatcoulddeliverActionPlanoutcomes.

• Athirdexercisewhereparticipantsweredividedintothreegroupswitheachgroupconsideringanindividualoutcomecategory-economicoutcomes,socialoutcomesandenvironmentaloutcomes.Participantswere asked to consider how these outcomes might be expressed as individualActionPlanproposals

11.9 DISCUSSIONS WITH NEIGHBOURING AUTHORITIESJonSheaffandAssociatesrequestedmeetingswithHavering,TowerHamletsandRedbridgecouncils.OnlyRedbridgerespondedtoarequestforaninterview.

JonSheaffandAssociatesmetKevinWackett(HeadofParksandOpenSpaces,VisionRedbridge)onthe13thofMarch2017.

RedbridgehasundertakenanOpenSpaceAuditandthishasbeenadoptedas

BIG IDEA PRIORITY• APlayHouse–thiswouldbefulloffunactivitiesandcould

evenbehaunted!• Playequipment(swings,roundabouts,slidesetc)• A football pitch with goals• A basketball court• Aswimmingpool/pond

1

2345

• Avolleyballcourt• Water fountains• Metal railings around ponds• A hockey area

=6=6=6=6

• Netball courts• Badminton courts• Space for fun fairs• Indoor sports spaces including for table tennis• Acricketfield• Tennis courts

=10=10=10=10=10=10

• Shedswhichhavesportsequipmentthatanyonecanusewhentheyvisitthepark

• A pond• Music

=16

=16=16


SPGaspartofthelocalplanreview.TheboroughadoptedanOutdoorPlayingPitchStrategyinJuly2016whichdetaileda15-yearactionplanforpitchprovisionandproposedthere-locationofsomeclubsoperatingintheborough.

VisionRedbridgedeliverstheparksandopenspacesserviceonthecouncil’sbehalfandisfundeduntil2021.Thecurrentmodelofcouncilcontrolhasplusandminuspoints.Savingswereinitiallyfoundbyre-structuringoutlonger-termemployees.ThereisacurrentstaffcohortofParkKeepersin10‘premierparks’,aGroundsMaintenanceTeam(of8),aRepairsandMaintenanceTeam(of4),aMobileLitterTeam(of4-5)andNatureConservationTeam(of4).

Visiondeliversasurplusandre-investsthisinitsassets.Thesurplushasbeensecuredbyreducingrevenuecostsandearningrevenuefromexternally-sourcedcontracts(schools,carehomesetc..).Potentialexistsforcross-borderworkingwithBarkingandDagenham,potentiallygeneratingfurthersavings.

11.10 SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTSThrough its Facebook pages, the council has gathered as number of comments onitsparksandopenspacesandonthestrategydevelopmentprocess.

These comments are recorded in Appendix 6.

11.11 SUMMARY OF FINDINGSThereareaseriesofcommonalitiesthatrunthroughtheresponsesfromthequestionnaireandthecommentsfromtheconsultationevents:

Parksareforpeopleandit’simportantthatthenewParksandOpenSpacesStrategyrespondstotheneedsandaspirationsoftheboroughsresidents.Thereareanumberofspecificreasonsforthis:

• Satisfactionwiththeborough’sparksandopensspacesiscurrentlylowrelativetootherLondonboroughs.Theimplementationofthestrategyshouldhelptoimprovelevelsofsatisfaction.

• Parksandopenspacescandeliveravarietyofpositiveoutcomesforresidents but this can only happen if people use parks and open spaces. Thestrategyneedstoaddressresidents’concernstomakeparksmorepopular.

• Thecouncilwantspeopletobemoreinvolvedindaytodaydecisionsaboutparksandwantstosupportvolunteeringopportunitiesinparks.

Theconsultationprocesshasgivenusthefollowinginformation:

• Cleanliness,safetyandthequalityofthefacilitiesforparentsandchildreninparkswereidentifiedasthemostimportantissuesaffectingenjoymentanduseofparksandopenspaces(seeFig.5.2).

• Thequalityoffacilitiesforfamilies(includingtoiletsandplayspaces)andthecleanlinessandmaintenanceofparkswereidentifiedasmostinneedofimprovementinlocalparksandopenspaces(seeFig.5.3).

• Respondentsvaluedwelcoming,accessibleandinclusivespaces.• Opportunitiesshouldbedevelopedforolderchildren.• Opportunitiesforvolunteeringshouldbedeveloped.• Dog fouling and control are seen as major issues.• Anti-socialbehaviouraffectstheuseandenjoymentofparks.• Thereintroductionofparkwardensisseenasdesirable.• Awiderangeofeventsinparksisseenasimportant.• Peoplewouldalsoliketoseemoreandbettercommunicationabout

eventsandvolunteeringopportunitiesinparks.


CAPITAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY12

ThequalityassessmentssetoutinSection5haveestablishedanumberofunderlyingprinciplesthatshouldinformtheemergingcapitalinvestmentstrategyandresultintangibleoutcomesinindividualparksandopenspaces.Ingeneralterms,thequalityofBarkingandDagenham’sparksneedstoimprovesothatparksbecomemoreattractivetoresidents.Buttheseimprovementsneedtobeprioritised.

Thequalityassessmentoftheborough’sparkshasbeenusedto:• Developaprogrammeforinvestmentandrenewaloverthe10yearperiod

of the strategy so that the most serious issues are addressed as soon as possible.

• Targetthisinvestmentprogrammeinareaswherethepopulationisgrowingtogrowmostsignificantlyandwheredemandforparksisgoingtogreatest in future.

12.1 REGENERATION AREA RENEWALBarking and Dagenham is embarking on a major programme of housing constructionprovisionthatwillresultintheprovisionofover30,000newhomesoverthenext20years.Thecreationofnewhousingwillimplytheneedfortheprovisionofsignificantadditionalcommunityfacilitiesincludingpublicopenspace,fundedthroughS106andCommunityInterestLevygeneratedbythesedevelopments.S106allocationsinrespectoftheBarkingRiversideregenerationareahavebeenagreedinprincipleandequatetoaninvestmentof£7,154,000.

Detailed designs for the Castle Green, Thames Road, Creekmouth and Chadwell Heathregenerationareashavenotyetbeendevelopedtotheextentthatadetailedquantificationofgreenspaceprovisioncanbeprepared.ToprovideanindicationofthelevelofS106investmentthateachareamightgenerate,anassumedlevelofprovisionof20%ofsurfaceareahasbeenproposed.NoS106fundshaveyetbeenallocatedwithintheseregenerationareas,butontheassumptionofaninvestmentof£140,000/Ha(basedontheBarkingRiversideS106allocation),atotalinvestmentof£3,402,000couldbemodelledfortheseregenerationareas.

12.2 EXTERNAL FUNDINGTheadoptionoftheParksandOpensSpacesStrategy,intandemwiththeadoptionoftheOutdoorPlayingPitchStrategywillallowthecounciltoaccesspotentialexternalfundingfromestablishedfundersofpublicopenspaceprovision.

TheHeritageLotteryFund,inpartnershipwithBigLottery,remainsthesinglemostimportantcontributorofcapitalfundingtoparksinvestmentprojectsacrosstheUKthroughits‘ParksforPeople’programme.

Inordertoqualifyfora‘ParksforPeople’grant,applicantsmustbeabletodemonstrate that a park, cemetery or open space has a heritage dimension. InthecontextofouterLondon,thisisusuallymanifestedbyanassociationbetween an historic house and the landscape surrounding it, but areas of landwithotherhistoricalsignificancethatcanberecorded,preservedand

RegenerationArea

Target greenspace provision(hectares)

Rate per hectare (£)

Totalvalue(£)

Barking Riverside

51.1 140,000 7,154,000

Castle Green 13.5 1 140,000 2 1,890,000Creekmouth 4.3 1 140,000 2 602,000Chadwell Heath 6.5 1 140,000 2 910,000TOTAL 10,556,0001 Assuming20%ofregenerationareaasgreenspace2 RatedevelopedfromS106allocatedforgreenspacewithinBarkingRiverside

Table 12.1 - Possible investments in regeneration areas


interpreted and could also quality for funding. A match funding of a minimum of10%ofprojectcostsisrequiredtobecontributedbyapplicants,buta25%matchfundingrequirementisgenerallyexpected.TheHLFalsorequiresapplicantstocommittoincreasinglevelsofmanagementandmaintenanceovera5yearperiodpostcompletionofcapitalworks.Theseadditionalrevenuecostscanbemetthroughconvertingpartofthecapitalmatchfundingcontributiontorevenueoverthisperiod.

HLFprojectsdeliverarangeofoutcomes,themostimportantofwhichisthephysicalrestorationoflandscapesandbuildings.Aparallel‘activities’programme will include community engagement, training and skills related opportunitiesandvolunteering.

TwoHLF-fundedprojectsarecurrentlyeitherinthedevelopmentordeliverystagesinBarkingandDagenham:

• BarkingTownCentreTownscapeHeritageproject:value£1.5million.• AbbeyRuinsParksforPeopleproject:value£2million.

TheboroughhasalsocompletedasuccessfulHLF-fundedprojectatValencePark.

FurtherHLF-fundedprojectscouldbeconsideredbythecounciltodeliveritsstrategicobjectivesforparkandopenspaces.

Majorcapitalinvestmentopportunitiesareofferedbyanumberofsports funders and sports governing bodies.

Thecouncilhassubmittedsuccessfulbidforthecreationofafootballhubunderthe‘Parklife’programme.Theaimofthenewprogrammeistocreateanewsustainablemodelforfootballfacilitiesbasedaroundartificialgrasspitchesonhubsites.Thefundwillprovidesignificantnewinvestmentintolocal,accessiblefacilitiesanddiffersfromtraditionalfootballinvestmentstreamsasthefundingpartnersarekeentoseeaportfolioapproachthatprovidesanarea-widesolution,ratherthanaone-offsiteinvestment.

ThemasterplanforCentralParkproposesthedevelopmentofasportshubwitharugbyfocusbutalsoprovidingnewfacilitiesfortennisandcricket(asproposedintheBarkingandDagenhamOutdoorPlayingPithStrategy).Thedevelopmentofthissportshubcouldinvolveaconsortiumofsportsgoverningbodies(RFU,ECBandLTA)contributingtoacapitalinvestmentproject.

12.3 OTHER EXTERNAL FUNDING OPTIONS

GiventheoptionsforalternativeapproachestofundingandgovernancepresentedinthisStrategy,considerationisbeinggiventotheprocurementofdevelopmentagreementswithexternalpartnerstoprogressindividualcapitalprojectsandtoseekalternativeapproachestofunding.

ThemasterplanforCentralParkproposesthecreationofnewlandformusingimportedmaterialsthatwillbringafundingdowrywithit.Thecreationofthislandscapewillreinforcetheoutcomesdeliveredbythisparkthroughthecreationofadramaticnewlandscapeandenhancedleisureactivitiesandprovidetheparkwitha‘dowry’thatwillhelptosustainitsfuturemanagement.Considerationwillbegiventofuturegovernancemodelsastheprojectdevelops.

Anumberofsmallerscalefundingopportunitiesforenvironmentalandcommunity-focusedprojectsareprovidedthroughtheLandfillCommunitiesFund(mostsignificantly,theVeoliaTrustandBiffaward)andthroughtheLondon Marathon Trust.

Assumingthedevelopmentof8projectsof£50keachoverthelifeoftheStrategy,£400,000ofexternalfundingcouldbesecuredfortheboroughsparks.

12.4 BARKING AND DAGENHAM COUNCIL CAPITAL INVESTMENTTheParksandOpenSpacesActionPlansetsoutadetailedsetofproposalsforarangeofcapitalinvestmentprojectsthatwillbefundedbythecouncilandbyexternal funders.

Localspacesarejustassignificantindeliveringpositiveoutcomesfortheborough and are just as important for stakeholders and local residents as major sites. This is emphasised in the London Plan that promotes standards ofaccesstoalltypesofparksandgreenspacesofvaryingsize.AnumberofkeythemeshaveemergedthroughtheParksandOpenSpacesStrategyengagementprocessandmanyofthesecanbeaddressedthroughlocally-basedinterventionsinlocalparksaswellasthroughmajorprojects.

Thecapitalinvestmentprogrammewillincludeasetofproposalsforlowcost‘quickwins’thatcanbeinitiatedintheshorttermandthatwillrespondtothethemesthathaveemergedthroughtheengagementprocess.

Theimplementationoftheborough’sGrowthStrategywillgeneratesignificantsumsinrespectofS106andCommunityInterestLevy(CIL).Theinvestmentoftheseresourcesneedstobecarefullytargetedtoensurethatinvestmentdeliversthemostsignificantrangeofpositiveoutcomesandaddressesthemostsignificantissuesthattheboroughcurrentlyfaces.BycreatingaCorporateNaturalCapitalAccount(CNCA)forBarkingandDagenham,wehavedevelopedarobustevidencebasetosupporttheinvestmentofthecouncil’sownresources in its parks and open spaces.

The council is currently preparing a new policy for the deployment of S106 and CILfundingandtheCNCAwillbeusedtosupportthecaseforinvestmentinthe greenspace sector. For the purposes of this Strategy, we are proposing the allocationof£100,000ofS106/CILfundsperyearforparksprojectsthatwillincludethe‘quickwins’programme,on-goingworkstorefurbishandupgradetheborough’splaygroundsandforuseasmatch-fundingresourcestosupportapplicationsforexternalfunding.

Project HLF grant (£)

LBBD match funding(£)

Othermatch

funding

Project total(£)

Abbey Ruins restoration

2,000,000 400,000 0 2.4 million

Barking Town Centre TH project

1,143,700 140,127 41,854 1.325 million

Table 12.2 - HLF funded projects in LBBD

Project Parklifegrant(£) LBBD match funding(£)

Projecttotal(£)

Parsloes Park c£3million £400,000 3.4 million

Table 12.3 - ‘Parklife’ funded projects in LBBD

Project SE Strategic Facilities(£)

Otherfunders(£)

Projecttotal(£)

Central Park 1.5 million 250,000 1,750,000

Table 12.4

Project Projectcost(£)

Central Park landscape works 1,500,000

Table 12.5

London Marathon Trust(4projectsof£50k)

LandfillCommunities

Fund(4projectsof£50k)(£)

LBBD Match funding

requirement (25%)(£)

Totalvalue(£)

200,000 200,000 100,000 500,000

Table 12.6


External sources Total£ Internal sources Total

HLF 3,143,700 540,127 3,683,827Sport England 1,000,000 165,000 1,165,000Sportgoverningbodies 500,000 82,500 582,500London Marathon Trust 200,000 50,000 250,000LandfillCommunitiesScheme 200,000 50,000 250,000Parklife partners 3,000,000 400,000 3,400,000s106/CIL 1,000,000 1,000,000TOTAL 8,043,700 2,287,627 10,331,327

Table 12.7


FUTURE FUNDING AND GOVERNANCE OPTIONS FOR PARKS AND OPEN SPACES

13BarkingandDagenham’sParksandOpenSpacesaremanagedthroughtheCultureandRecreationServiceswhichoperatewithintheGrowthandHomesDirectorate.Aswithmanylocalauthorities,thecouncilhashadtofaceconsiderablefinancialchallengesinrecentyearsasitseekstodelivermorecost-effectiveserviceswhilstsignificantlyreducingitsoveralloperationalbudget.

The State of UK Public Parks82 publishedrecentlybytheHeritageLotteryFundhighlightstheparticularchallengesparksandparkservicesarefacingacrossthecountry,withlargereductionsinfundingandthelossofstaffandtraditionalhorticulturalskills.BarkingandDagenhamisnoexceptionandexpectsthatforevery£1offundingthatwasavailabletotheservicein2010willbejust35pby2020-areductionofalmosttwothirdsoveradecade.Whilstthisbringssubstantialchallengesitalsoprovidestheopportunitytoestablishmuchhigheroperationalefficiencies,inspiringtheservicetoexplorenewwaysoffunding,managementanddeliveryinthefuture.

ThesechangeswillbekeypartofBarkingandDagenham’sambitiousplanstotransformationthewayitlooks,worksanddeliversitsservices.‘Weallhaveaparttoplay’83describesasetofproposalsandinitiativestoguidethisprocess.Parks,OpenSpacesandCemeterieswillcurrentlyremainanin-houseservicewhilstitisproposedto‘establishanewservicedesignedtobreathelifebackintotheBorough’sflagshipparksandopenspaceswithaparticularemphasisonexploitingtheircommercialpotentialforthebenefitofallusers’.

13.1 FUTURE FUNDING STREAMSThereareavarietyofestablishedandemergingopportunitiestogrowthecommercialpotentialoftheborough’sparksinthefuture.Somearefamiliarandhavebeenusedformanyyearswhilstotherswillbefarmoreinnovative,requiringanewandmoreentrepreneurialapproachtoresourcingtheservicegoingforwards.Theseinclude:

A) Grants and Contributions-Traditionallylocalauthoritiesfundtheirparksandrecreationservicesthroughannualbudgetsdirectlyfromtheirown resources. Increasingly this may be supplemented by other directorates, servicesandagenciessuchaspublichealthandeducation,tosupportthedeliveryofawidervarietyofoutcomesandsocialbenefits.

B) Events and Festivals-Thereisanincreasingdrivetouseparksandopenspacesaslocationsforavarietyofevents,activitiesandfestivals.Thereareclearbenefitstoimprovetheprogrammingofparkstoincreasesocialandculturalactivitiesforthebenefitoflocalcommunities.Avarietyofthesecangenerateincomethroughticketingandcorporatesponsorshipalthoughthismayhaveashort-termimpactonpublicaccess.

C) Cafes and Concessions -Improvingthelocationandvarietyofrefreshmentsthatareofferedwithinparksencouragegreateruseandgenerateadditionalincomeopportunities.Thesemaybeprovideddirectlyby


thecouncil,whichwoulddirectlybenefitfromallprofitsorthroughannualorseasonallicencesandleasesthatcanincludeaprofitsharingarrangement.

D) Fees and Charges-Provideavarietyofopportunitiestogenerateincomethroughchargingforspecificusesandactivities.Thismayincludestandardandfamiliarchargesforcarparkingandtheuseofsportsfacilities,pitchesandcourts.Increasinglycouncilsaresettingfeeratesforusingparksforprofessionaltrainers,fitnessclasses,filmingandprivateevents.Additionally,someauthoritiesaredirectlyinvestingin,orprovidingleasesformoresubstantialincomegeneratingfacilitiessuchastree-topwalks,high-ropecourses,golfandnichesportsfacilities.

E) Planning Gain-Isacommonwayforlocalplanningauthoritiestosecurecontributionsfromdevelopmentandregeneration.Section106(s106)fundingarrangements,andincreasinglytheCommunityInfrastructureLevy(CIL),shouldprovideimportantandsubstantialresourcesforbothcapitalinvestmentandon-goingrevenueforparksandopenspaces.

F) Sponsorship and Fundraising-Mayprovidespecificopportunitiestogenerateincomedirectlyorthroughtheactivitiesofassociatedcharitableandcommunityactivities.Thiscanincludefundraisingprogrammesbylocal Friends Groups and more formalised and targeted arrangements for fundraisingfrombusinessesandcorporateorganisationsandindividuals.

G) Public and Corporate Volunteering-Thiscangeneratenon-financialandin-kindbenefitsforparksandopenspaces.Programmesandinitiativestopromotemoreregularcontributionfromvolunteershavebecomemorestructuredandsophisticatedinrecentyears.Thesecandeliverwiderenvironmentalandsocialbenefitsandhelpprovidetraininganddevelopskills.

H) Endowment Funds–AreusedbyanumberofparksandparkservicesintheUK.Thesecantaketheformofbothcapital/cashandotherassetscapableofgeneratingaregularincometoprovidebothrevenueandcapitalfunding.Ifwell-structuredandofadequatesize,endowmentscancontinueinperpetuityprovidinganindependentsourceoffunding.

I) Localised Levies-Whilstnotcommonlyusedtofundparksandopenspaces,thereisgrowinginterestinthepotentialofestablishingParkImprovementDistrictstocapturelocalisedinvestment.FollowingthestructureofBusinessImprovementDistricts,localleviescanbevoluntaryorcompulsoryifapprovedbyamajoritythroughalocalballot.

J) Ecosystem services-Theabilitytogenerateincomebymakingpaymentsforecosystemservicesisbeingexploredthoughavarietyofenvironmentalpilotschemes.Theseseektocaptureandmonetisethevaluethatnaturalsystemsprovideinimprovingairquality,managingsurfacewaterandfloodrisk,reducingpeaksummertemperatures,capturingcarbon,generatingfoodandimprovingpublichealth.

13.2 ALTERNATIVE GOVERNANCE MODELSCurrentlyBarkingandDagenham’sParksandOpenSpaceServicearedeliveredthroughanin-houseservicedeliveryarrangementthatincludesaverysmallcoremanagementteamandanauthoritywideoperationalteam.Asmallnumberofcommercialcontractsareletforspecialistactivitiessuchasweedcontrolandtreemanagement.Thecurrentstrategyistoincreasethecost-effectivenessandefficiencyoftheserviceasameanstodrivedownannualrevenuecosts.Whilstthereisstillacapitalinvestmentprogrammethishasbeensignificantlyreducedinrecentyearsandnowprincipallyfocusesonreplacingdamagedequipmentandfacilitiesandaddressingspecificandimmediate health and safety concerns.

Althoughtheboroughisnotactivelyconsideringalternativemanagementarrangementsfortheservicethereareanumberofdifferentmodelsthatcouldbeconsideredinthefutureforeitherindividualparks,neighbourhoodsortheentireservice.Afirststageinassessingthepotentialoptionsforfuturemanagementwillbetocompileabaselineofthecurrentoperationalarrangementsthatshouldinclude:

• Summaryoftheexistingservicestructure,what’sincludedandhowitisdelivered.

• Summaryofheadlinecostsandbudgetsincludingcurrentrevenueandcapital expenditure.

• Breakdownofcostsperactivity,park/greenspacewherepossible.• Changingprofileofrevenueandcapitalexpenditureoverpastfiveyears.• Summary of funding sources including grants, s106 and new income.• Breakdownofexistingmanagementandfront-linestaffingandresources.• Costsofalloverheadsandcentralrechargeratesandfees.• Arrangementsforcapitalreceiptsandring-fencingorreturningincometo

central funds.• Zerobasedbudgetingexercisetoestablishfuturefundingprojectionsand

needs.Thereareavarietyofbusinessandorganisationalstructuresthatcouldbeadoptedtomanageaparksserviceinthefuture.Theseinclude:

• Charitable Trusts.• CommunityBenefitSocieties.• Community Interest Companies.• Co-operativeCompanyorSocieties.• EmployeeOwnershipandCo-ownershipCompanies.• Limited Companies.• Mutual Companies.• Local Authority Trading Companies.• PrivateCompanies.• Companies Limited by Guarantee.• UnincorporatedAssociations.

AninitiallistoffivealternativeoptionscouldbeconsideredforthefuturemanagementofBarkingandDagenham’sparksandeachwillneedspecificmodelling and appraisal to assess their suitability.

A) Arm’s-Length OrganisationsAnumberofservicesintheborough,includingHome,LegalandLeisure,havebeentransferredouttoseparatecompanies.LocalAuthorityTradingCompanies(LATCs)areabletoprovidewiderandincomegeneratingservicesinadditiontothoseprovidedforthecouncil.AcrosstheUKavarietyofparksservicesnowoperateinthismannerforeitherasinglelocalauthorityorawidergroup.Theprincipleobjectiveofthismodelisfortheservicetobecomeself-fundingandabletoreinvestprofitswithintheserviceandlocality.

Anappraisalofthisoptionshouldinclude:• AreviewofexistingLBBDservicesthathavebeentransferredtoarms-

lengthmanagementcompaniestoidentifyspecificstrengthsandweaknesses in the model.

• Anassessmentofthescopeoftheorganisationincludingtherangeofgreenspacesthatwouldbeincluded(parks,amenitygreenspaces,cemeteries,allotments,etc.)alongwiththetypesofservices(grasscutting,refusecollection,security,horticulture,etc.).

• An assessment of the future management and maintenance contracts thatcouldbeexpectedtobesecureddirectly,throughservicelevelarrangementswithLBBD,andthoseserviceswhichtheorganisationwouldhavetobidcompetitivelyfor.Thiswouldrequirea‘teckaltest’todefinewhether the local authority owned company can be commissioned directly orhavetobidcompetitivelyforcontracts.

• Anassessmentofanyadditionalservicestheorganisationcouldundertakeinthefuture,itsgeographicremit(withinandbeyondtheboroughboundary)andtheanticipatedincomethatsuchservicescouldgenerate.

B) Social EnterprisesWhilstparksandopenspacescangeneratesomelevelofincometopart-fundtheiroperationalcosts,socialenterprisesprovideameanstodeliverwidercommunitybenefit.Thereareavarietyoforganisationsthatmanageandmaintainindividualparksorspecificareaswithinparksaspartofwidersocial,educationalortherapeuticprogrammesthatarefundedthroughavarietyofcommercial and grant programmes.

Anappraisalofthisoptionshouldinclude:• AreviewofwiderandadditionalLBBDsocialservicesthatcouldbe

integratedwithoralignedtotheparksservice(programmesforhealth,educational,training,skillsdevelopment,etc.).

• Asummaryoftheadditionalsocialoutcomesthattheparksservicecoulddeliver.

• Anticipatedgrantsandadditionalfundingstreamsthatcouldbeaccessedintheshortandmedium-termtosupportthedeliveryofwidersocialbenefits.

• A framework and methodology to assess and measure the wider social returnoninvestmentthatasocialenterprisecoulddeliver.


C) Partnerships and Shared Services Increasinglyparkservicesarebeingdeliveredthroughmorecollaborativearrangementswithavarietyofagencies,environmentalorganisationsandcommunity groups. Strategically this could take the form of establishing shared orcombinedserviceswithadjacentlocalauthoritiesforspecificdestinationparksorentireparkservices.Thiscouldalsofocusonspecificthematicelementssuchasco-managingwildlifeareaswithconservationgroupsorriversandwaterbodieswithagenciesorusergroups.Sitebasepartnershipsareincreasinglylookingtoharnessthebenefitsofworkingmoredirectlywithvolunteersandcommunitygroupsthroughformalandinformalmanagementarrangements.

Anappraisalofthisoptionshouldinclude:• Anassessmentandmappingofappropriatelocal,London-wideand

nationalpartnersthatcouldcollaborateindeliveringtheserviceinthefuture.

• Areviewofexistingmanagementandmaintenancetasksdeliveredbytheservicetoidentifythosewhichcouldbeco-deliveredorout-sourcedtopartners in the future.

• DiscussionswithadjacentLondonBoroughstoassesstheappetiteforgreatercollaborationindeliveringorsharingservicesinthefuture.Thiscouldincludespecificactivitiesandtasksorcombiningwiththeentireactivitiesofadjacentservices.

D) Trusts and FoundationsSeveralindividualparksorwidernetworksofparksaremanagedthoughindependentandcharitabletrustsorfoundations.Somehavebeenformedmorerecentlywhilstothershaveoperatedformanydecades.Whilstparklandgenerally remains in public ownership through lease arrangements, Trusts can benefitfromoperatinginadedicatedandindependentmanner.Charitablestatusbringsadditionalfinancialbenefitintermsofbothtaxationandtheirappealtosecuregiftsandphilanthropicsupport.

Anappraisalofthisoptionshouldinclude:• Anassessmentshouldidentifywhetherestablishingeitheranew

independenttrustoranarrangementwithexistingmanagementtrusts,such as the Land Trust or the London Wildlife Trust, could be a suitable vehiclestosupportthefuturemanagementoftheBorough’sparks.

• Financial modelling including a full business case will need to be prepared toestablishboththecosts,financialandtaxationbenefitsofestablishingan independent trust.

• Afullreviewofthelegalownershipandanyspecificconstraintswillneedto be undertaken for all parks and green spaces that could be transferred toaTrustandthetermsofthetransfer,includingthedurationofleases,will need to be considered.

• Thegovernancestructureanddecisionmakingprocesswillneedtobeestablishedtoensurelocalrepresentationandfutureoperationisinthepublic interest.

E) Area-based Management OrganisationsDedicatedmanagementorganisationscanbeestablishedforspecificlocationsandneighbourhoods.IntheUnitedStates,CityParkDistrictshavebeenestablishedinseveralurbanareasasameanstofocusbothmanagementactivitiesandinvestment.Whilstuncommon,NeighbourhoodImprovementDistrictshavebeenformedtopoolinvestmentfromlocalresidentsandbusinessesandprovideameanstotackleparticularsitespecific,social,environmentalandcommercialconcernsandopportunities.

Anappraisalofthisoptionshouldinclude:• Thepotentialforestablishingmorelocalanddecentralisedmanagement

arrangements could be assessed which could incorporate other neighbourhoodmanagementactivitiessuchasstreetcleansing,wastecollectionandrecycling.

• Areabasedimprovementdistrictsgenerallyoperatethroughraisingalocallevyforwhichaclearbusinesscaseandjustificationneedstobeestablished.

• A legal assessment will need to be undertaken to ensure such arrangementscomplywithlegislationandcanwithstandalegalchallenge.

Inassessingalloptionsanumberofcommoncriteriaandfactorswillneedtobetakenintoaccountintheprocessofidentifyingwhatmaybethemostappropriate model for managing parks and green spaces in the future. These criteriaforassessmentwillinclude:

• Thelevelofcomplexity,adaptabilityandthepotentialforscalingupthemodel.

• Governancearrangementstoensurelocalaccountabilityindecisionmaking.

• Theabilitytocontrol,upholdandimprovethequalityofsitemaintenance.• Thesocialvalueandsocialreturnthatcanbegainedforpublicbenefit.• Restrictionsandconstraintsfromexistingcontractualarrangementsand

leases.• Theimpactonstaff,employmentandpensiontermsandcomplexityof

transfer. • Thefinancialflexibility,taximplicationsandbenefitsofcharitablestatus.• Theabilitytogenerateadditionalincomefromothersourcesand

activities.• Thestaffingandskillsrequiredtoestablishanddevelopanew

organisation.• Politicalperceptionandpoliticalaccountabilityofanindependent

organisation.

NOTES82 State of UK Public Parks 2016,HeritageLotteryFund. https://www.hlf.org.uk/state-uk-public-parks-2016

83 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, “We all have a part to play” Ourproposalsforconsultation,2016.



APPENDIX 1A1QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PARKS AND OPEN SPACESSupporting evidence maps

















APPENDIX 2

PLAY ASSESSMENT

A2


PLAY ASSESSMENTHousing Playgrounds

NOTE:Type of playground is highlighted in yellow





















PLAY ASSESSMENTParks Playgrounds

NOTE:Type of playground is highlighted in yellow













APPENDIX 3

ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE

A Beam

Par

klan

ds

Beam

Val

ley

Coun

try

Park

Esse

x Ro

ad G

arde

ns

OldDagen

hamPark

May

esbr

ook

Park

Bark

ing

Park

ChaseNatureRe

serve

East

broo

kend

Cou

ntry

Par

k

Cent

ral P

ark

Abbe

yGreen

/Ab

beyRu

ins

Vale

nce

Park

Ripp

leNatureRe

serve

Scratton

sFarm

Ecopa

rk

St C

hads

Par

k

Padn

all o

pen

spac

e

Cast

le G

reen

Gor

esbr

ook

Park

Greatf

ieldsPark

Hea

th o

pen

spac

e

New

land

s Pa

rk

Pars

loes

Par

k

Pond

fieldPark

StPeter’san

dStPau

l’sChu

rchyard

Tant

ony

Gre

en

The

Leys

Non

eofth

eab

ove

Q1. The following parks are included in the Open Space Strategy assessment. Please tick any parks you visit often.

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

%ofrespo

nden

ts

1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 2% 3% 4% 4% 5% 5% 6% 7% 7% 8% 11%

12%

12%

13% 20

% 23%

23% 29

% 31%

32%

33%

Barkingan

dDa

genh

am’s

park

s ar

e no

t eas

y to

get

to

Iprefertovisitparksand

ope

nsp

aces

out

side

the

boro

ugh

Idono

thavetim

e

Idono

tfee

lsafevisiti

ngth

em

Barkingan

dDa

genh

am’spa

rks

are

not w

ell m

aint

aine

d

Barkingan

dDa

genh

am’spa

rks

donotoffe

rthe

faciliti

esIwan

t

Q2. If you don’t use parks and open spaces in the borough, could you please tell us why?

100%

90%80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

%ofrespo

nden

ts

8%

17% 25

%

33%

42%

67%

3


Havemorefacilitiesincludingplacestositandrelax,avarietyofplacestobuyfoodanddrinkincludingicecreamvendors,possibleartexhibitions,waterfeaturesorlandscaped gardens.

Because my nearest park on Hedgemans road i cannot get my mobility scooter on there becauseofametalbarriertostopmotorbikes!

Q3. If you prefer to use parks outside the borough, please tell us what we could do to encourage you to visit a park in Barking and Dagenham?

Beam

Val

ley

Coun

try

Park

OldDagen

hamPark

May

esbr

ook

Park

Bark

ing

Park

BarkingRiverside

Goo

dmay

es P

ark

Recreatio

nGroun

d

ChaseNatureRe

serve

East

broo

kend

Cou

ntry

Par

k

Cent

ral P

ark

Abbe

yGreen

/Ab

beyRu

ins

Vale

nce

Park

Ripp

leNatureRe

serve

Scratton

sFarm

Ecopa

rk

St C

hads

Par

k

Padn

all o

pen

spac

e

Cast

le G

reen

Gor

esbr

ook

Park

Greatf

ieldsPark

Hea

th o

pen

spac

e

New

land

s Pa

rk

Pars

loes

Par

k

Pond

fieldPark

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Q4. Which Barking and Dagenham park do you visit most often?

%ofrespo

nden

ts

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 3% 4% 4% 5% 8% 9% 11% 14

%

14%

15%

Q7. Again thinking about the park you visit most often, would you normally visit alone or with a group?

In a group 35%

Alone 24%

Both 41%

OnfootBicycle CarBusCoach Tube

Q6. How would you normally travel there?

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

% o

f res

pond

ents

0% 1% 1% 2%

16%

81%

Q5. How often do you visit a park or open space in Barking and Dagenham?

Never

Onceayear

Twoorthree

timesayear

Onceeverytw

owee

ks

Everyday

Onceamon

th

Mos

t day

s

Onceortw

iceawee

k

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

%ofrespo

nden

ts

2% 2%

7%

14%

10%

30%

24%

11%


Q9. When you visit as part of a group, who is normally with you?Other - Please specify NOT INCLUDED IN OPTIONS PROVIDED

Pets

Dog Dogs

Dog walkers

Walk dogs

dogs

Pets

Family

Husband

Ownfamily

Grandchildren

Work

Staff

Sports and activities

Ourparksfitnessgroup

Park run group

Football team

Fishing buddies

Cycling club

Children and adults as part of football teams

Group of local mums with children

Club members

School group

Other Otherfamily

Friends Partner Children

Q8. When you visit as part of a group, who is normally with you?

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

% o

f res

pond

ents

5% 7%

27% 33

%

54%

71%

Q9. When you visit as part of a group, who is normally with you?Other - Please specify

Pets 33%

Family 17%Sports and club members 44%

Work 6%


Q10. Why do you normally visit this park or open space in Barking and Dagenham?

Other - Please specify

To walk dogs

Itakemydogbutwelovethewildlifethere,especiallythebreedingbirds.

Walk the dogs and take the grandchildren to the swing park


100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Tovolun

teer

To g

o on

gui

ded

wal

ks a

nd ta

lks

Tovisita

nou

tdoo

rgym

To p

lay

info

rmal

spor

ts(e.g.foo

tballclub) Other

Tovisitthe

café

To p

lay

info

rmal

spo

rts

Toatten

dan

event

To g

o fo

r a jo

g

To ta

ke a

sho

rtcu

t

To m

eet f

riend

s

Tohaveapicnic

To w

alk

a do

g

Toenjoyflow

ers/tree

s

To s

ee b

irds

and

wild

life

To e

njoy

the

beau

ty o

f the

sur

roun

ding

s

For p

eace

and

qui

et

Tovisita

playarea

Fora

children/familyouti

ng

To g

o fo

r a w

alk

% o

f res

pond

ents

0.5%

0.5%

1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4% 7% 8% 8% 8% 8% 11%

12%

13%

Work

Park Keeper

Work

Management and maintenance

Cutthegrassregularly,cleanthelake,trimtheovergrownhedges(whichneverhappens),puttheswingsonforkids,keepitniceandtidy.

Events

ForeventssuchasStGeorgesdayorhistoryevents

Toalsoattendeventsinthesummer.

InormallyvisittojoinintheParkruneventheldonSaturdaymornings

Facilities

NocafeatStChad’sPark!

Visit Valence House

Wedon’thaveacafebutifwedidthiswouldbeonmylist.AsStChad’sparkisanimportantpartofourfamilysociallife,acafewouldbeafantasticbonus.Wehavepicnicsoftenthroughoutthespringandsummermonthsandacupofteaisalwaysonthe wishlist.

Socialise

To enjoy a chat on a bench with a friend

Tohaveabitetoeatpicnic

For fun days. Picnics

Walks, outdoor fresh air, meet friends, gym, equipment for children

TomeetfriendsTohaveapicnic

Family


Fishing

Cycling

Outdoorexerciseequipmentandatrackaroundvalanceparktojogaroundtheedgesofthe park.

Feed the ducks at the lake

Play football with my grandson

To do Legs, Bums and Thighs classes

To play bowls

To get some exercise

Forexpertise,healthandwellbeing.Accessiblepaths.

TovisittheIndoorBowlClubLocatedintheBark.

WalkthroughtogotoBetterExtreme

Fishing

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Environment

To learn. I like when there are signs explaining which animals are there, what the historyoftheparkis,howtheriversshapetheland,etc.

Togettowalkongrass!Sickofconcreteandastro-turf

But usually for a walk to see wildlife and enjoy the surroundings.

WeenjoytheopenspaceandthepeaceandquietofStChadsParkasweliveinanapartment.

Togetoutofthehouse.Oneofthefewplacesaccessiblebywheelchair

Get out of the house and get some fresh air.

To try and relax

Iliketophotographnatureandinformallysurveytheinsectlifeandflorainthepark’swildlife area

IpersonallyusetheParkforavarietyofreasonsdependingonhowIamfeeling.Sometimestobealonetogatherthoughtsandchilloutinthefreshopenspace.Ilikebeautifulsurroundingsawayfromtrafficandtrafficfumes.ShameBarkingParkfacesontoLongbridgeRoadthatissometimescongested.Notgoodforthoserunningbutunknowinglycouldbeinhalingharmfulfumesbeitnotdangerouslevels.

LovetoseetheSwansandducksinthelake

Thedaffodilsarelovelythereinthespringandthat’saboutit.Thenicelavenderwithrosesarenotmaintained.Moreflowerbedswouldbenice.AlsoIwouldlovemoretrees there. It is always too breezy there because the space is too open. Specially the playground could be surrounded by some. There is no cafe, nothing fun to do there. Barkingparkisgreat.Eastbrookendparkisverynicetoobutagainshame,nocafethere.Wouldlikesomeniceflowerymeadows,moreplants,makeitlively.Sinceitsacountrypark,somemoreoriginalplants,bushescouldgrowthere.(liketheytrytodoinOlympicpark).Niceandmorebenchesthere.Mayitnicersopeoplewouldliketogoforapicnicthere.Orisitnotsupposedtobeforthis?

Play

Asachild-minderwevisitvalenceparkalotforwalks,puddlesplashing,feedingducks&squirrelsbutit’sgettinglessduetolackofmaintenancetherewhichisverydisappointing

AsasafeplaceforchildrentoplayItwouldbenicetovisitacafeItwouldbenicetohaveawellmaintainedswimmingpool

Betterchildrenplayfacilities,I.eswingsandslides,etcandmoredogwastebins

Children’splayareas

EspeciallyatValenceparkthereisverylittleforthechildrentoplayon&whatisthereismainlyaimedatchildren4yrsandbelow.There’snothingreallyforchildrenbetweenage4-8yrs.Manyparkswehavevisitedoutoftheareahaveapparatusmadefromtreelogsandropeetc.Alsoteenagerscongregating,smokingandswearingaroundthechildrenisamassiveissue.Thelocalparksdon’tseemtobemonitoredbyauthorityandwhenproblemslikethisoccur,itgetsreportedbutnothingevercomesfromit.Ithinkthingslikethisisamajorputoffformanyparksinthearea

Moreplayareaforkidsandmoreactivitiestoplaywith,lesssandandmorehardsurface like the rubber mats

Mostlyvisitafterschoolwiththechildrentoplayandtoduringthedaytowalkthedogs

Mychildrenhavevisitedtheparkto,walkourdogwiththeirfriends

OldDagenhamparkisnotaccommodatedforchildrenallagesandit’sboringforchildrenandit’satoiletfordogs,cozownersaretoodamelazytopickitup

Play with kids

Pokemonhunting

TakegrandchildrentothecountryparktheplayareaisveryUNsafeandnotveryappealing

TheChildrenareainValenceparkneedanupgrade.Almosteverythingisbrokenandorneverbeenupdatedsinceweliveinthearea(9years).Barkingparklooksamazingandmy we are enjoying the children playground

Theparksintheboroughareappallingthechildren’sfacilitiesaresopoortheydon’tevenappealtomychildrentheyaresooutdateditsuntrueyoucantevenspendlongperiodoftimestherecosthere’snotmuchtodo

To take the kids out

Tovisittheparkwithmyson

Walk the dogs and take the grandchildren to the swing park

We would like more equipments for children.

Mostlyvisittheplayareabutwedocyclingaswell.Toimprovethechildren’splaygroundsinGoresbrookI’veheardthereisadesignforresidents playgrounds if your playing when the park is out of hours they can break in but cant get out

Grandchildren

AbetterplaygroundinOldDagenhamparkwouldbenice.Theonethereissooutdated,most is from metal with scratched paint, no slide.

Ibeenlivingnexttotheplaygroundlast4yearsandIneversawanybodyfromcounciltocomeandfixthechildrenactivities.Isverypoorparkwithnotpropersafeplayareforthelocalkids.Nobinsaroundtodroplitters.Ibeenlivingonhackneymorethan7yearsandtheplaygroundsareamazingandalwayscleanandchildrenliveit.Dagenhamisverypoorwithlookingafterparksandplaygrounds.Verydisappointed.Ascounciltaxpayermykidsdeservehaveniceplaygroundsaroundhome.

I think more play areas are needed for older children....actual equipment they can go onanduse...notjumping/swingingbarsandsilly1.5mclimbingwalls.Heck!Ievenliketohaveaplayandgoonthingwiththekids....Imeanwhathappenedtoroundabouts??Theywerearoundforyearsandkidslovethem,buttheredoesn’tseemtobeanywherelikethatanymoreandit’ssadmykidsdogetgototheparktoplayasoften,astheequipment is just too young for them....my 13 and 17 year old like to come to the playgroundtoletoffabitofsteam!

IthinktheCentralParkhasagreatpotential.Forsomereasonitfeelsabit“empty”andunpopular.Ithaslotsofspaceandsomereallyniceplaygroundwouldbeverygoodidea.LikeinBarkingPark,playgroundtherejustamazing!WhyDagenhamareacan’thavesomethingsimilar?Joggingtracksbyparkperimeterwouldbegreattoo!SofarIseepeoplerunningbyperimeteroftheparksometimesonwetgrasswhichnotalwayssafe.

IwouldliketotakemychildovertheparkmoreoftenbutunfortunatelyIdonotfillsafealso there is no toilets or good play equipment for him

In Valence park there are not enough for children and not enough security. As of right nowwedonotgotoValencebecausethereisalwayslitterandpeoplewhoshouldn’tbeinthepark.drunksteenagekidswithabadattitude.Thanks

Itwouldbewonderfultohaveafewsensoryequipmentstoplaywith/onforchildrenwith special needs.

Kids day out

Moreplayareaandridesforthechildren.Removethesandpit.Maketheplayareasuch that children feel safe from others trying to cause trouble and reck the place.

Ensuredogsarenotallowedinchildren’splayareas.

TheChildrenareainValenceparkneedanupgrade.Almosteverythingisbrokenandorneverbeenupdatedsinceweliveinthearea(9years).Barkingparklooksamazingandmy we are enjoying the children playground

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Play

Pokemonhunting

Mostlyvisittheplayareabutwedocyclingaswell.

Facilities

Visit Valence House

Environment

To learn. I like when there are signs explaining which animals are there, what the historyoftheparkis,howtheriversshapetheland,etc.

Togetoutofthehouse.Oneofthefewplacesaccessiblebywheelchair

To try and relax


Fishing

Cycling

Feed the ducks at the lake

To do Legs, Bums and Thighs classes

To play bowls

To get some exercise

Forexpertise,healthandwellbeing.


Other - Please specify NOT INCLUDED IN OPTIONS PROVIDED



Dogs

Dogs should be kept on leads while in the park and the person in charge of the dog shouldbecarryingabagtopickupitsmessorbefinedfornothavingabagwiththem.

No lose dogs

Q11. Looking at the list below, which three things are most important to you in your local parks and open spaces?

Other - Please specify NOT INCLUDED IN OPTIONS

Facilities

Needsacafe,needsbetterplaygroundequipment,toiletsneedtobeopenallday!!

Dogs

Dogs should be kept on leads while in the park and the person in charge of the dog shouldbecarryingabagtopickupitsmessorbefinedfornothavingabagwiththem.

No lose dogs

Aesthetic appeal

Havingsomenicetreesandflowerstolookat,notjustgrass


Itwouldbenicetovisitthisparkandbeabletoplayapropergameoftennis.Thecourtsareruined.Thebowlinggreenisaneyesoreovergrownwithpeopleliving/lurkinginthebushes.There’snowheretogetanyrefreshmentsandyouhavetododgethemopeds riding through. Need I go on?

Fishing

Childrenactivities

Other

Shakingoffthestressesofmanningthefrontdesk


Other - Please specifySafety and cleanliness

Don’tlikelargegroupsofmaleswhetherdrinkingornot.Don’tappreciatepeopleurinatingdiscreetbutcanbeobservedornoticed.ThisproblemofurinatingisnotlimitedtotheParksinBarkingtheproblemofurinatingiscommononBarkingstreetsanditmakesmeembarrassedandsickasit’sfilthyandalackofdecently.IpersonnoticedamaleofEasternEuropeansporranevenwithemptycansathisfeetandacaninhishandfacethenowclosedBarclaysBankonFaircrossParadeandwasurinating.Thiswaswhilsttherewasstilldaylightaround1700/1900.Kidsareinthearea.WorststillthereissomecamerasbuttheypointatthenorightturntoearncashwhichIexcept(thesignspositionisquestionableIjustwanttosaythoughIdigress)

Feelingsafeinacleanwellmaintainedparkwithgoodcomfortableseatinginsafeshelteredlocations.

tohavenoantisocialbehaviour

Q11. Looking at the list below, which three things are most important to you in your local parks and open spaces?100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%

Opp

ortunitie

stovolun

teer

The

qual

ity o

f sig

nage

in th

e pa

rk

Sportspavilion

Form

alspo

rtsactiv

ities

(e.g.spo

rtspitche

s) Oth

-er

Thequ

ality

oflighti

ng

Theeven

tsinth

epa

rk

Thecafefaciliti

es

Thequ

ality

ofseatin

gan

d pl

aces

to re

stTh

etoiletfacilitie

s

Thecareand

protection

of

nat

ure

and

wild

life

The

appe

aran

ce o

f the

par

k

The

mai

nten

ance

of t

he p

ark

Thequ

ality

offacilitie

sfor

pare

nts

and

child

ren

Feel

ing

safe

in th

e pa

rk

The

clea

nlin

ess

of th

e pa

rk

%ofrespo

nden

ts

0% 1% 1% 3% 3% 4% 5% 8% 11% 14

%

24% 29

%

40% 43

% 48%

65%

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Other - Please specify


Dogs

Aclearlydefinedareaforpeoplewithdogs.Atthemomentifeelunsaferunningtheparksbecauseofdogsthatarewalkedwithoutaleash.Alsopeopledon\’talwayscleanaftertheirdogsmakingtheparkunsafefortoddlers

Adogsectionforuswithpets

Central park needs more dog and waste bins as most are broken

Facilitiesfordogwalkers,closedinfields,dogpoobins,pathsnotsafefordogs

More dog poo bins are needed.

Dogs on leads only

Dogs to be kept on leads and excluded fro play areas.

Facilities

Need a cafe, need toilets open all day.

Carparkingeitherinoronsurroundingroad,free!Management and maintenance

Feelingsafeinacleanwellmaintainedparkwithgoodcomfortableseatinginsafeshelteredlocations.

The grass needs to be cut on a more regular basis please

Too much being spent on rubbish.

Miscellaneous

De-stressingandRelaxationwatchingtherippleofthewavesafteraweekresolvingissuesonfrontdeskatTownHall!

Safety and security

GETRIDOFRATS

Mayesbrookparkwillhavebirdpooeverywherewhichisaproblem

Peoplerespectingthepark

Removethedrunks

Safety

Security of fencing

Antisocialbehaviour

Everyonetorespecttheplayareasandtotreattheplayfacilitieswithduecareandtoleavethelittlechildren’splayareasforlittlechildrenonlyandtonotlittertheseareasandtonotbringtheirdogsintotheseareas,nortosmokeany(e-)cigarettesnorconsumealcoholnortointimidateanyofthosefreelyandhappilyenjoyingtheplayaresimplybytheir(often)intimidatingpresenceanddominationoftheplayequipment

Q12. Which three things need most improving in your local parks and open spaces? (Feel free to specify another option in the text box provided)Other

Play

Lots of play equipment has been taken away or damaged. The children desperately needabettersaferplayarea

Needbetterplaygroundequipment

Thedamagedswingsetcnevergetreplaced

The equipment in the play area

Zebra crossings into park area, enclosed play area, more toddler appropriate playgroundequipment.Notenoughswingsorpadded/waterproofmattingtoensuresafe playing and allow children to be more free with play in all weathers.

Q12. Which three things need most improving in your local parks and open spaces?

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Opp

ortunitie

stovolun

teer

The

qual

ity o

f sig

nage

in th

e pa

rk

Sportspavilion

Form

alsp

ortsactivitie

s(e.g.spo

rtspitche

s) Other

Thequ

ality

oflighti

ng

Theeven

tsinth

epa

rk

Thecafefaciliti

es

Thequ

ality

ofseatin

gan

d pl

aces

to re

st

Thetoiletfacilitie

s

Thecareand

protection

of

nat

ure

and

wild

life

The

appe

aran

ce o

f the

par

k

The

mai

nten

ance

of t

he p

ark

Thequ

ality

offacilitie

sfor

pare

nts

and

child

ren

Feel

ing

safe

in th

e pa

rk

The

clea

nlin

ess o

f the

par

k

% o

f res

pond

ents

1% 3% 4% 4% 7% 8% 10%

12% 16

%

17% 19

%

30% 35

%

35% 43

% 46%

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Facilities

Carparkingeitherinoronsurroundingroad,free!

Q12. Which three things need most improving in your local parks and open spaces? (Feel free to specify another option in the text box provided)NOT INCLUDED IN OPTIONS PROVIDED

Play

Zebra crossings into park area, enclosed play area, more toddler appropriate playgroundequipment.Notenoughswingsorpadded/waterproofmattingtoensuresafe playing and allow children to be more free with play in all weathers.

Dogs

Aclearlydefinedareaforpeoplewithdogs.Atthemomentifeelunsaferunnigintheparksbecauseofdogsthatarewalkedwithoutaleash.Alsopeopledon\’talwayscleanaftertheirdogsmakingtheparkunsafefortoddlers

Adogsectionforuswithpets

Central park needs more dog and waste bins as most are broken

Facilitiesfordogwalkers,closedinfields,dogpoobins,pathsnotsafefordogs

More dog poo bins are needed.

Dogs on leads only

Dogs to be kept on leads and excluded fro play areas.


Q14. Are you currently involved with your local park?

No 95%

Yes 5%

Formal involvement

Chairman of a local football club with youth and adult teams. Club has been running for 27 years in Barking & Dagenham

Chairman of the Indoor Bowls Club

Ihelpleadtwodifferentdaywalksinthepark.Iorganisefitnesssessionsruns&footballfor all ages from 4 years old to plus 40

Joinedsportsclub

Through partnership work help arrange maintenance

Volunteer at the canoe club

Residentsassociation

Informal involvement

Visit regularly and report issues

AsIusetheparkregularly,Igenerallycleanupanythingthataffectsmydogs,sobranches or food that may injure them.

Gotoeventsdosurveys

Miscellaneous

Gotoevents

BeamAvenuePark

Improvements

Q13. Are you currently involved with your local park?Please specify

Q13. Overall what is your opinion of parks in Barking and Dagenham?

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%Excellent Very

GoodGood Average Poor Extremely

poorDon’tknow

Very poor

% o

f res

pond

ents

1%

13%

26%

28%

19%

7% 6%

1%


Q14. What factors make it difficult or unappealing for you to be involved in helping to improve the quality of your local park or open space?

Time

Time

time

Lackoftime

Time

Notime

Work

too busy

Working hours

Busy life

Busy with work and family,parks should be maintained by council, pushing responsibility to us is appalling

Donothavethetime

Donothavetime

Don’thavethetime

Freetime

Full Time Employment

Haven’tgottime

Work

Work Commitment

Work Life

Work Life balance

Work and childcare commitments

Work and family commitments

Work and kids

Work commitment

Workeveryday

Workfulltime

Work long hours

Workshifts

Work,childrenmytime

Work/age

Work/notenoughtime

Working

Workingfulltimeandbeingashiftworker

Workingfulltime

Iwork5days.Weekfulltime

Iworkfrom7amto7pmmon-fri

Iworkfulltime

Iworkfulltime

Iworkfulltimeandcommutingtimetakesabigpartofmyfreetime

Iworkfulltime,doshiftsandpaycounciltax.

I work long hours

Iworkshiftsandhaveayoungsonsodifficulttobecomeinvolved

Iwork,gettheunemployedandfulltimemummy’stopicklitterup.

I workf

I’mafulltimecarernotimewouldlovetodosomething

Iamtoobusy!

Time and free labour

Timeandresponsibilities.

Timeconstraintsandlackofskillsandmotivation

Time due to work commitments and children

Timepressure-Ihavelittlesparetime

Timerestrictionsduetomyworkpatterns

Timetoattendmeetingsandnotknowingwhenandwheretheyare

Time...havetowork

Timesofmeetingsnotoverlyaccessibletofamilieswithyoungchildren

Lackoftime,workingfulltimeandhavingtwosmallchildren

Lookedatvolunteeringbutit’smostlyMon-friandiwork

MeetingsareonthesameeveningoftheweekeachtimeanditisadayIamoftentiedup

My working hours

Notenoughfreetime

Notimeforit

Notimehaveayoungchildandamasingleparent

Notenoughtime

Notenoughtimeandwouldn’tknowwhereorhowtosignup

Othercommitments

Tomanydrunksoverpark’s.Busywithfamily

Toobusy,notenoughtimetodothethingsIneedtodoformyselfandfamily.

Tume

Volunteeringelsewhere,sotimeconstraints

don’thavetime

full-timejob&maternity

havingthetimeafterworkingallweek

lackoftime

working

my job

notenoughtimeinmyeverydaylife

usedtobeinvolvedatValence,notenoughtimenow,also,dontknowwhenorwheretoattendmeetingsetc

findingfreetime

Ifthereareopportunitiesatweekendsthatwouldbegood


Lack of opportunity and promotion

Lackofopportunitytogetinvolved

“Friends”meetingseithersecretorattimeswhenparentsareunabletoattend.

Antisocialbehaviour&notknowinghowtogetinvolved

Communicatewithresidentsmoreoften

Communicationchannels-maybecreateFBgroupforeachpark?

Communicationdontknowhowto,noinformationinparksaboutthis

Didn’tknowIcouldgetinvolved

Didntfindanyinfoaboutit

Don’tknowhowto,noinfo

Don’tknowhow?

IamnewtotheareaandIwasn’tpreviouslyawareoftheseschemes.Whatwouldbegreatissomethingvolunteeringwhereyoucanbringchildrenattheweekends.

Ididn’tknowIcouldofficiallybeinvolved.

Ididn’tknowthiswasanopportunity

ItravelalotalsoIwasverysurprisedatthelistofparksintheborough.Ihadnoideathereweresomanyandstillhavenoideawheretheyare,alistofparksandtheaddressofeachplusamapshowingthelocationofallofthemthatyoucouldclickonforfurtherdetailsiefacilitiesandeventstakingplacewouldfacilitatemyuse of other parks.

IwasnotawareIcantakepartintheseactivities

Lackofinformation

Lackofinformation

Lackofinformationandtimings.

Lack of knowledge

Lackofadvertisingwithregardstovolunteering.

lackofinformation

lackofinformationabouthowtogetinvolved

lack of support from the council.

Notawareofopportunities

Not aware of the opportunity

Lackofopportunitiesduringtheday.Meetingsatoddtimes,StChad’sparkfeelsforgottenabout

Lackofopportunitiesofferedbythecouncil

Lackofopportunitytovolunteer

Neverknowanythingabouthelping.

Neverseenanyonethererecruitingpeopletohelpmaintainpark

No group exists

Noinfoavailable

Noinformationonhowtobecomeinvolved

NotenoughinformationabouthowIcanhelptoimprovemyfavouritepark

Notknowinghowtogetinvolved

Notknowingnowtogetinvolved

Not sure

Not sure how to help out

Noth

Nothing there

UnawareofhowIcangetinvolvedesp.withopenspacesnexttomeshouldbeadvertised/informedtothemostlicalresidents

timeandawareness

there’snotenoughinfooutthereonwhereandhowyoucanhelp.

thereisnotateamtotrytoimproveitandpromotit.

notenoughinformationencouragingtojoin

it’snotbeenbroadcastedinmyarea

dont know who to contact

Wasn’tawarewecouldhelpatValencepark

TherescurrentlynothinghappeningwithCastleGreenpark.Iwouldlovetogetinvolved

Therehasn’tbeenmuchorganisedasyet

Childcare

Always working or taking care of my children.

Busylookingaftermychildren

Child care

Childnotinfulltimeeducation

Childcare and general disrespect, hard work will just be undone

Have2youngchildren

Havingayoungchildalsonothavinganyinformationabouthelpingout

Havingchildrencanmakeattendingmeetingsdifficult.

Iamacarer&parentwithnorespiteorbabysitter

Iamamotheroftwochildren(4yearsand2years)andnothavethetime

Ihavetowatchaftermykids.

I’mtobusywithmychildren1isdisabled

Lookingafter2babies

timeandkids

work and children

havetolookafternewborn

childcaremakesitdifficulttogetinvolved.

Lack of community feel

Thereisnolevelofcaregiventothepark theperceivedlackofappreciation

Feel there is no community feel in the parks and in Barking generally

No-oneelsecares

Norangerserviceorcleanupserviceisorganisedinmylocalpark

The lack of respect of people in the borough

The minority of people not willing to respect their green space


Age and health

Oldage

Age

My age, plus my tax should be paying for this

Too old

my age

Health

Arthritis,backproblems

Disabled wife

Health

Health problems

I am disabled

MedicalCondition

My health

My poor health

Poor health

arthritis

bad health

wheelchair

health

health issues

disabled

age

I’mdisabled

Safety and cleanliness

DirtyandNotmaintainedresultinginfeelingunsafe

Gangs of teenagers

Its not safe, not well lit, no park rangers, dirty.

Dog crap

Dogs and youths

Don’tfeelsafewithdogsrunningloose

Ihavelotsofideasbuttheolderchildren(teenagers)congregating,smokinganddrivingmopedsaroundisn’tveryappealingandunfortunatelytheyaren’tapproachablesoitputsmeoffattendingparksinBarkingandDagenham.Wenormallytraveloutofthearea.

Unappealing as the parks are going into disrepair possibly due to underfunding. Childrenovertheageof7havemjnja

antisocialbehaviour

they are unsafe

Parkasitisatthemomentdoesn’talwaysfeelsafe,facilitiesarepoorandthere’slittletomaintain

Other

nothing seems unappealing

The type of work

Theoverallstateoftheparksfacilities

Lack of colour in the Park

Lack of good play areas for children < 2

Notenoughplayactivitiesforthechildren

Thisisanappallinglydevisedquestionnaire.

Seriously??

Private

None I would help out

Lack of support

Ihavetriedbeforebutwastoldthecouncilhadnofundstobuildtenniscourtsat castle green

lack of funds

govermetbacking/support

Ourclubwishestobeinvolvedinthedevelopmentofbetterfootballplayingconditionsforourteamsbutdifficulttogetthingsdonewiththelocalcouncil

Not responsibility of volunteers

Ialreadypaycounciltaxwhichsupposedlypaysforleisurefacilities.

I am paying council tax for those thinks to be done.

WhyshouldIpickupotherpeople’sdogmessIpickupminethereshouldbemorewardensfiningpeoplealsooverpondfieldIhaveseenneedlesalongwhere walkway is it has alcoholics drinking in the summer not a place to take children

donotagreewiththemisusevolunteersinplaceofpersonsemployedtoperform the task

theconstantdamagetotheplayareaandmisuseoftheplayequipment-ishouldn’thavetowatcholderchildrenmisusingplayequipmentwhilstallowingmychildrentoplay;iprefertoleaveimmediately.Certainfactorsincludingnotenjoyableexperiencesinplayareas/parks/oopenspaceshasjustmademewanttoleaveratherthanstayinthisborough

thethingsIthinkneedimprovingcouldnotbetakenonbyvolunteers,weneedtoiletsreopened,andthecounciltostopchargingustoparkourcareachtimewego.AstherearenoparksofanyrealsignificancesouthoftheA13,theneedtodriveisgreat,alsotaking2dogsonthebusisunrealisticassomanypeoplethesedaysthatliveinBarkingareridiclouslyafraidofanydog!

ibelieveitistheresponsibilityoftheboroughtomaintaintheparksandthecareand safety of the public when in the parks regardless of costs.

ideaofwastingmytimejustsochavandthievescanwrecktheareaagain

There is no group with authority to secure parks from wrong doers

how long will it last with no care or mo ey being put into it. But lets paint useless yellowlinesandstarsonthefloor.Ohandmoremetalbenchesforthelocalcracks to drink on all day

not enough training

Lackofcommunityfeel3%Childcare8%

Lackoftime39%

Lackofopportunityandpromotion

Age2%

Health8%

Not the responsibility ofvolunteers5%

Alreadyinvolved3%Lackofsupport2%

Safetyandcleanliness5%

Q14. What factors make it difficult or unappealing for you to be involved in helping to improve the quality of your local park or open space?


Q15. If you would like to be more involved in your local park or open space please tell us how you would most likely choose to be involved?Asabove,alreadyinvolved

AsstatedearlierIamnotabletovolunteerhoweverIhavereportedanyproblemsthatIhaveseenandwillcontinuetodosowhenenjoyingtheselovelyopenspaces.

Dogbreedgroups/walks

Dog walking groups

HaveaForestschoolarea

Helpwithteachingouryoungstersthejoyoffishing.Provideamuchwastedcafe,dropin, community cafe hub in the wasted Millennium centre modity

Ihavealreadyreportedinthepastrubbishbinsoverflowing&brokenglassonthechildren\’sslide&surroundingarea

IsupposeI\’dbehappytobeinvolvedinanymanner.Thisisahorribly-writtensurvey.

Iwanttobeabletogiveideasonfacilitiesthatcouldimproveourparkforthepeoplethatuseitthemostoften.

Iwouldnotgetinvolve

None

NotsureuntilIhadmoreinformationandmyparkwasupgraded

Stopantisocialbehaviourwithintheparks

Park watch for public safety factors

Something to do with the trees and plants

Wildlife/naturebiodiversity

With people who care

Working with plants

Q17. Are you happy to answer these questions?

No15%

Yes85% Q18. Age100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%0-14 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+

% o

f res

pond

ents

0% 1% 2%

22%

36%

17%

13%

9%

1%

Q15. If you would like to be more involved in your local park or open space please tell us how you would most likely choose to be involved?

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Other

Sportsclub-

Joinaspo

rtsclub

Friend

sgrou

p-Joinorsetupafriend

sgr

oup Voluntee

ring-

Becomeavoluntee

r

Commun

ityAction

Days-

Atten

dorhelporganisean

acvitity

ParkW

atchSchem

e-

Helpiden

tifyan

drepo

rtfaulty

ordam

aged

faciliti

esand

poo

rm

aint

enan

ce

% o

f res

pond

ents

9%

19% 26

%

27% 34

%

58%

Q16. How would you like to be kept informed?100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Other

Mee

tings

Prin

ted

park

s ne

wsle

tters

Coun

cil

web

site

Emai

l or

e-ne

wsle

tter

% o

f res

pond

ents

4% 6%

19%

42%

68%


Q20. Do you identify, or have you ever identified as Transgender?

No99%

Yes1%

Q22. Do you consider yourself disabled?

No90%

Yes7%Prefernottosay3%

Other

White English

White English

Human

Q21. Ethnicity

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Any

othe

r Asia

n ba

ckgr

ound

GypsyorIrishTraveller

Whi

te a

nd A

sian

AnyOtherM

ixed

/multip

le

ethn

ic b

ackg

roun

d

Bang

lade

shi

Chin

ese

Carib

bean

Anyothe

rBlack/Afric

an

/Caribbe

anbackgroun

d

Whi

te a

ndBl

ack

Carib

bean

Afric

an

Otherethnicgrou

p

Pref

er n

ot to

say

Indi

an

Paki

stan

i

Any

othe

rW

hite

bac

kgro

und

WhiteBriti

sh

% o

f res

pond

ents

0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 3%

13%

70%

Q19. Gender demographics

Male25%Female75%


Q25. What is your sexual orientation?

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Lesb

ian

Gay

man

Other

Bise

xual

Pref

er n

ot to

say

Het

eros

exua

l

% o

f res

pond

ents Other

Pagan

Other

Breathing problems

Other

Normal

Normal!!

Sexualorientationquestionisnotrelevanttothequestionnaire.

Spee

ch

impa

irmen

t

Lear

ning

difficulty

Hea

ring

impa

irmen

t

Whe

elch

air

user Pr

efer

not

to

say Other

Men

tal H

ealth

iss

ues Re

stric

ted

mob

ility

Q23. Type of impairment100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

% o

f res

pond

ents

5% 5%

9%

14%

14%

14%

27%

50%

Budd

hist

Hin

du

Jewish

Other-p

leasespecify

Sikh

Pref

er n

ot to

say

Mus

lim

No

relig

ion

Christia

n(in

c.

Chur

ch o

f Eng

land

, Ca

thol

ic, P

rote

stan

t an

dallC

hristi

an

deno

minati

ons

Q24. Religion

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

% o

f res

pond

ents

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5% 1%

3% 4%

37%

51%

0% 1% 1% 2% 5%

90%


APPENDIX 4

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

A4Barking Learning Centre Consultation18th March 2017

General

All good ideas but how will we get funding for all of this?

TheissueswithBarkingarerelativetoit’sdeclineinindustry.PerhapsAbbeyGreencouldbecomemoreofatraveldestinationsite?

Yestoeverythingonalltheboardsplease

Facilities and Services

AbbeyGreenneedsanofficialVisitorsCentre,preferablyinaexistingperiodbuildingthathassomehistory/relationtoAbbeyGreen,e.g.theVacant Bull Pub opposite the Abbey entrance

AbbeyGreenneedstobemorevisitorfriendly,thecentralgraveyardshouldbecomemoreinviting!Mostentrancesarepoorlylocated.Ithaspotentialtobecomemuchmorebeautiful

MayesbrookParkneedsmoredustbins,possibleparkattendantsandsocialisinginformation/morecommunityinvolvementinformation

Therearen’tenoughamenitiesandactivitiesforteenagersandyoungadults.Currentlythereareonlysportingactivitiesforthembutthere’sabigpotentialforaddingeducational/research-basedactivitiesforthem.

NavigationinEastbrookendandTheChaseisterribleandputsmeoffwantingtovisit

Mayesbrook:moresignpostsandinformationinregardstorunning,na-tureandbetterseatingandaccesspointsaroundthetwoboatinglakes.

Integrated playgrounds for all ages

Cafe Facilities

MaybesbrookParkneedsacafé(otherthantheoneintheSportsBuilding)

Ifyouadd/updgradecafé’sintheparkspleasehavemorehealthyfoodoptions

24-hourtoiletsandcafesshouldbeamust!

CanBarkinghaveabiggerplaygroundandacaféthat’sopen

Security and Cleanliness

Security is a big issue in large wild parks such as Eastbrookend and The Chase,manypeoplearereluctanttovisittheseparksalone,andthisneed not be the case

Safetyandcleanlinessneedsimprovinggenerallyacrossalltheparksinthe borough, but especially in Maybesbrook in terms of dog mess

SouthoftheA13hasadrainageditchwhichthecouncilhavefailedtokeepitclean,clearandflowing;fly-tippingisabigproblem;thereareevensofasinthere!ThisisinandaroundtheThamesViewHousingEstate

Positivecomment

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Aspirationalcomment


Activities

Muchpotentialforbetterlocalwalks:therewasonepreviouslyadver-tisedatBarkingParkbutitwasveryboring

Considerhavinglocalcommunitycompostheapsinthelocalparkstoavoidimportingsoilfortheparkplantingborders.

Currentvolunteeringopportunitiesdon’taccommodatepeoplewhowork9:00-5:00pmMonday-Friday.

ConsiderfishinginEastbrookend,asasport/communitysocialsession–also hydroponics?

Moreinnovativegames,notjustestablishedsports!Checkmindtheg-apUK facebook group

Possibleannualschoolrunsinthemajorparks,makeitcompetitive?Achancetore-createprideintheboroughetc.

Maybehavevolunteerswhotakeonmanagingothervolunteersatweek-ends(duetoRangerissue)

There’spotentialtoestablishmore‘Friendsof’groups,especiallyaroundMayesbrook Park and Parsloes Park.

Alsoconsideropportunitiesforfamiliessotheycanvolunteertogether.

Biodiversity and the Natural Environment

I’dliketoseemorenestingbirds

Greenspacesaresoimportantandshouldneverbeusedforbuilding,evenifitischeaperthanbrownfieldland.


APPENDIX 4 PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Dagenham Library Consultation25th March 2017

Security and Cleanliness

Securityconcerns:needguardsandlighting

Managementofbinsandlitter

Cleaner parks

Dog fowling

NeedpeopletopickrubbishupinOldDagenhamPark

Facilities and Services

Park keeper, toilets, cafes, management of parks

Iwouldliketoseetheparksusedmoreextensively,particularlyforsports.Forexampletennisisnowpopular.Makemorecourtsavailablefor young people, at a reasonable cost.

Get more football pitches into use, again at a reasonable cost to users.

More seats and bins

Outdoorgym,greenhouses,lakes(fenced),picnicareas,flowermeadowsand wildlife play

Playgrounds-Bigslides,Rope,sand,soundequipment,seesaws,swings

OldDagenham-therewasanorchardandkidsbreakthem

Sports:biketracks,skateparks,kayak,cricket,rugby,football,basketball

Sports:Basketball,football,bigslides

Do not like big swing

Childrenafraidofdogs-fencedplayareasanddogsneedtobeonalead

InOldDagenhamParktherehavebeenmissingslides/swingforages

Natural play

General

Moreexciting,morediverseexperience

Teenagers do not respect the public spaces

Dogs need park for excersise and freedom for a walk like humans in the park

Donotneednewhome’sinDagenhamonlyparks

Activities

Outdoorgymandchildrenactivities

Moresports,adventurous

More sports in parks

Morechildrenactivities

Communitydayinparks-wherepeoplecancometogetheranddevelopideas, start Friends groups

Photocompetitionsaboutlocalparks

Motorbikes and quad bikes in parks

Playschemes for older kids in all parks

Moreactivities-opportunitiesforchildrenandolderkids

Needvolunteeringevents/communityevents

Growingopportunitiesforchildren

Nature walks

Moreactivities

Positivecomment

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Aspirationalcomment


Barking Learning Centre Workshop27th March 2017

EXERCISE 1

Niche Users

ConservationVolunteer

Corporatevolunteers

Dogwalkers(thesepeopleuse95%ofparks)

Forager

Park colour codes for walkers and cyclists

Don’toverlookuseofparksbydogs

Dogwalker/dogtrainer

Greenofficeuser

Allotmentuser/growing

Associated Use and Connectivity

Commuters/through-parkusers

Cyclists

Everyspaceshouldbewifienabled.

Accessibility-smallspacesnearhomes

Partners

PartnersNationalTrustexampleMordenHall

DisabilityOrganisations

LWT,RSPB,EA/NaturalEngland,HistoricEngland

LandTrust-futuremanagement

Otherexternalfunderse.g.HLF

Police

SportEngland&SGB’sHousingAssociationsandHouseBuildersNHS

SocialEnterprise/CIC’svoluntarysector

Privateentrepreneurs

Sports and Activity

Informal sports use

Outdoorgymequipment-usedbydifferentgroupsduringtheday

Sportsclubs-organised

Personalfitnessuser-running/taichi/yogaetc.

Formal and informal sport use

Diversity-especiallyfocusontheuseandtypesofsports-faithgroups

Non-usersandspecificethnicgroups

Asianwomenswalkinggroup-BarkingParkonSaturdays

CulturalEventse.g.BiggestLithiuanian-BarkingPark

Children and Young People

GirlGuides/Brownies/Scouts

Schools and Colleges

YoungerChildrenandfamilies

Play, water, cafes and toilets

Olderchildren/youngpeople-14-19

Familieswithyoungerchildren(under10)-5%ofparkuse

Promotepracticeofchildrensplayprovision

Independentchildren(12+)bikes/MUGA’s

Qualityoftheplayfacilities/formalandinformalriveraccess

UniqueopportunityforBarkingRiverside-PlayacrosstheRiver(apoten-tialgamechanger)

Friends of Parks

AbbeyGreen-keyspaceforlocalfamilies

Peoplewithdisabilitiesandspecialneeds

Considervarietyatdifferenttimesoftheyear/changeoffer

Multipleusesagenda-identifyspecificconflictse.g.biodiversityandplay


Environmental

CleanAir/dieselcars.Treesincities(Manchester)-UrbanForest.Alsonon-vehicularmovement/greentravel

Recyclingandre-useofmaterialsandresources.

RivercorridorstoopenupconnectivityoftheRiverRoding

Promoteregulationofgreen-waycorridorstoconnectareastogether

Shiftmanagementofpracticestopromotebiodiverity.

Renewables-windgeneration

TreesforCitiesalreadyinB&D-expansionofUrbanForestprogrammingamoung many transport routes.

Brownfieldhabitatalsoakeyresource.

Managefloodriskinrelationtoclimatechange.

Habitatrestorationstrategy;watervoles,bats,listofkeyspecies

Waterbodieshavekeybiodiversityroletoplay

Social

Healthyhubsinitiatives;healthywalks,healthchampions,footballclubs(Barking),measuredroutes1,2&3k-low-key

Smartphoneappconnectiontogatherhealthstatistics.

Eventsprogramme-relaxandreligioususe

PlayInitiativesandquickfixesintheshorttomediumterm

Dogcontrol/dogfreeareasforpeopleadversetodogsandpublicspaceprotectionorders.

Healthy New Town partnership

NeedtoreconnecttheboroughwiththeRiverThames

Challenge of the A13 corridor

Economic

Signageinformationandsafetycontacttobeaddedinthemediumterm-Section106

IssueaboutconflictB/M

Improvesportsofferthroughinvestmentinthemedium/longertermleadingtoincreasedparticipation.

Encouragingpartnershipswithfood-growingpartners;companydrinks,growingcommunitiesfortheshort,mediumandlongerterm

Barking Learning Centre Workshop27th March 2017

EXERCISE 2


APPENDIX 5

MASTERPLANS CONSULTATIONS

A5North-eastentrance:Thereisacompoundareanearthebuilding,itshould be on the plans. Lower the shrubs and hedges around the build-inginsteadofclearingthemall.Keephedgesattheback(justlowerthem),thefrontonescanbecleared.Introducemeansofsustainablemanagemente.g.:wildflowerareas,bird/batboxes,bughotelsetc.

Maintenanceinthepark:Maintenanceisverypooratpresent.Needmorelitterbinsandmorebenches.Bettercagesfornewlyplantedtrees.

Litter:Raisedbedsatsouthernentrancearelittered.TheybelongtoTfL,can’tdomuchaboutthat.

Closinghours: Theyclosetheparktooearlyonmostdays.

Social Issues Raised

Mounds:Wronglocation,therewouldbenospaceforfootball.JSAadvisedonplanstorelocatetheproposedmoundsalongthesouthernedgeofthepark(visualandsoundbarriertoA13)allowinglargerspacefor informal ball games.

Relocatedplaygroundandnewactivityhub:Wronglocation,thenorthern part of the park is supposed to be the quiet end of the park. Friends were happy with the idea of a new sports hub for older kids. Theplaygroundshouldbefenced.JSAagreedtore-arrangetheactivityhubandmoveitslightlytothesouthallowinglargerspaceforquieterareaonthenorthernedgeofthepark.JSAconfirmedthattherelocatedplayground would be fenced.

Newentranceontheeastsideofthepark:Thereisnocrossingthere,inconvenientlocation

Newcircularsocialspace:Thecentralflowerbedshouldstay(dedicatedtoalatememberofthegroup)

Loststream:ThereusedtobeastreamrunningthroughtheparktotheMayesBrook,youcanstillseeadipwhereitusedtobe.

Anti-socialbehaviourinthepark:Drug-dealingonthesouthernedge,andburglariestothehouseonthewestsideofpark. JSAadvisedonourapproachto‘designoutcrime’,byattractingmorepeopleintothepark,andre-organisingentrancestoopenuptheparkforvisitors.

Greatfields Park consultation20th APRIL 2017


StJohnandStJamesChurchyard:It is part of Hackney town centre, part of my journey to work, where my kids grew up in terms of play.

LocalParkinBarrowdown:Dog walking

BarkingPark:MondaymorningforarunasI’mtrainingforamarathonanditiscon-venientlylocated.Calmandrelaxinginthemornings,boatinglake,enoughdifferentthingsgoingonvegetation,landscapescenery.Quietandpeacefulparkatthattimeinthemorning.

ChalkwellParkinSouthend:Beautifulformalhorticulturaldisplays-walkthroughtobeach

HighlandsParkRomford:Igoeveryweekendwithmyson.IthasMUGA’s-basketballfootball.Gota nice Tarmac route so you can cycle round the park as much as you like. ItisalsoconvenienttowhereIlive.

HeartenCommon:Itookkidsoutforfirstbikerideoftheyear

llamasPark,Ealing:Saturday with 9 month old baby. Very manicured, but got great link from northfieldstoEalingnoroadsneeded.

LocalParkinBenfleet:Ihaven’tvisitedforyears.IalsohadameetinginBarkingparkonTuesday,veryniceveryimpressed

Reason for Visiting Local Park/ Why is it important to you as a place

Millhillpark:Greateststrengthisconnectivity,withitsnetworkofgreenspacesacrossthethroughnorthernpartofborough.TheParkisnotingreatconditionbutserveslotsofareas.

MarshWellCountryPark:Quite a wild sort of park, creeks and estuaries. Walking and bird watching,verywellusedforcycling,andfamiliesanddogwalkers

WalthamPark(NationalTrustPark)inSouthLondon:Imetfriendsforapicnic.Ithasacityfarmandecologynaturereserve.

Pocketpark,nearwhereIlive:Veryvaluableinthesenseofallthedensestreetsnearby,anditwouldbe terrible if it ended up being used for housing.

FinsburyPark:Amassiveopenspacewithallsortsofthings.Icycledthroughhascycletracks.VeryvaluableforthewholeareaandLondon.

N.A:Pass through any number of parks on a weekly regular basis, transient natureofparksIdoveryfrequently.MywifeandIliveinavillageinPeterborough.Werarelymakeapointofvisitingaparkbecausewehaveaccesstothecountryside,thereforegoforawalktoapubinavillagewhichsuitsusintermsofrecreationandleisure.

Masterplan Workshop27th MARCH 2017


APPENDIX 6

SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS

A6


Park keepers? We need more police presence too and toilets Park keepers need to be brought back Lightingtoowouldn’tgoamiss Get rid of the drunks from Parsloes Bring back Park Keepers Valenceusedtohaveabrilliantparkranger. Bring back park wardens. Yeathecouncilneedtosortthedrunksoutinthatpark PleaseputPondfieldParkasapriority!!!Ourkidscan’tplaythereit’sunsafe Bring the park keepers back so we all feel safe again in the open LightinginCentralPark,apathleadingfromthefirestation,memorialgardenentranceto the park.

Getthedrunksoutoftheparksveryintimidatingwalkingpastthem Maybe CCTV and catch the sods who destroy the equipment Wouldnevertakemygrandchildrentotheparkshere,toomanyunsavourypeopleandfar too much rubbish WastingmoneyondoingparksupwillneedtohaveanalcoholfreepatrolandCCTVintheparkstomonitor24hrsputourcounciltaxtobetteruse Parsloes Park is a disgrace, full of drunks on park benches, nothing for kids to do Whileeveryoneiscallingforparkkeeperstobebroughtback,canwehonestlysaythey’lldoanygood?YobsarenotscaredofthepolicesoIcan’timaginethembeingfrightened of a park keeper. Mayesbrookparkneedslighting!ParticularlyasIhavetogothroughittogettotheBettergym,ratherthantraipsearoundit.Maybeyoucouldpartnerwiththegymonthis? If ur gonna do up the parks plz put cameras .... 1 so you can see who keeps trashing themn2tokeepkidssafe.Uhaveenoughmoneytokeepputtingupspeedcamerasnlastyeahmadebillions(asuputonapost) Idon’tusethemmuchbecauseIfearforoursafety!IwillgotosmallparkslikePondfieldandmysonlovestheskateparkbit,butIgenuinelydon’tfeelsafewalkingthrough Central, Mayesbrook or Parsloes or the bigger parks. I think the smaller parks needmoreinvestment.HeathParkforexampleisreallyheavilyusedbyallthechildrenlivingintheflatsnearbywithnogardensyetitisasorrystateandliterallynodifferentthanhowIrememberitwhenIwasachildapartfromthezipwirewhichisoftenbroken!

Safety and SecurityGeneral

VerytrueI’mashamedofourparkit’sdeterioratingweekly!!!

TotallyagreeDagenhammusthavetheworstparksever!

There’snosunbedsinanyofthem

I think there are trying to run Parsloes Park down x

There are no decent parks in Dagenham

Flower gardens. We need things to be proud of

TheysaidlastyeartheywantedideasforParsloesParkstillnotdoneitalltalklol

WouldlovetogivemyviewsonthedeteriorationofParsloesPark,butlikeeverythingunlessthere’sfundingthennothingwillhappen.Whenthelessfortunatearebeingpenalised what hope is there for a park?

ParsloesParkisawfulnow.Iknowweshouldn’tkeepbeingwistfulforthe‘olddays’(andI’mnotthatoldlol)butitwasashockwhenItookmychildrenoverthereandsawthechange.MeandsomanypeopleIknowspentsomuchtimethereasachild.

Itiseverytimemykidswannagoparkhavetogosofaroutit’sajoke.It’shardforpeoplethatdon’tdriveaswell,weshouldinvestmoneyintoourchildreninsteadofhavingthemhangingaroundthestreetsuptonogood.CanyougetsomeCCTVitwillprovidemorejobsforpeopleaswell.

WhenyouconsiderthatNewYork,veryhighlypopulated,hasonlyone(iflargeandverybeautifullydesigned)greenspace-CentralPark-thenweallneedtotakepartinthisprojectandpreserveourlovelyparks.Theyaresomewhatrundown,butwestillhavethem-andBarkingandDagenhamwerebothbuilttoreplaceLondonslumsandgivetheresidentslovelygreenspacestoenjoy.Lookatallthe‘greens’ourboroughstillhas.Theywerepartofthebrilliantdesign.Mygrandparentsweresomeoftheveryearlytenantsofourborough,soIhavesomeinsightintowhatitwasandremainsanamazingphilosophicalsocialidea.Pleasetrytobepositiveaboutwhatisourlovelypartoftheworld.Ifyouchoosenottobepartofthesolution,youarecertainlypartoftheproblem.

YesIagree.MyfathermovedherefromtheEastendslumsin1923andmymother,now90andIstilllivehere.Ihavebeenherefor64yearsandwhilethereissomedeteriorationofourparks,duemainlytolackofrespectfromsomeresidents,theparksare something we can be proud of in this borough.

Facilities

Havesomecleanusabletoilets,arefreshmentvanandadecentplayareaforthekids.

Morebinsinthemwouldbehelpful..hardtofindabininCentralPark..whereaspopdowntoGoodmayesParkandthere’splentyofbins.

Freeparking?Howaboutfreetea/coffee/cake?Yes-freeparking!

Theseparksshouldhavepublictoiletsastherearenoneandit’sdisgusting.

NearesttoParsloesisthelooonwestboundplatformatBecontreestation!Notgoodfor young kids.

We’vegotnopubliclooshere,either.Troubleis,theyonlygetfrequentedbyjunkies.

Allparksshouldhavetoiletsanparkkeepersanmoreforthekidstoplay.

Maybe Picnic tables and benches, so more people can get out in the fresh air including the disabled.

Parsloesparkneedstoilets,alittlecafeandmorepicnicseats..ScrattonsFarmparkneeds all new working equipment.

Cleanliness

Nodogcrap/brokenbottleswouldbegreat

Getcommunityserviceovertheparkslitterpicking,castlegreenneedstobecleanedup

I’djustbegladiftheykeptthemcleansoIdon’thavetoworryaboutbrokenglassandchickenboneseverywherewhenIwalkmydog

WenttoValenceparktodayandtherubbishwasdisgustingmaybeafterfootballtrainingyesterdaybutbottlesandrubbishlefteverywhere.

IwasinBarkingParkearliertoday.I’vegottosaythelakeislookingcleanerandclearerthanI’veseenitinalongtime.

Management and Maintenance

Allparksneedlightingandtoiletsandthegoodoldparkkeeperneedstobereinstated.

It’sallverywellandgoodspendingmoneydoingparksup,butthenthecouncildon’tmaintain them and they go to rack and ruin

Ithinktheparksarecraptheydon’taccommodatechildrenofallagesandhalfofthemarevandalised.

Ithinkweareveryluckytohavelotsofparks/greeninourareabutsadlyasmallminorityhavenorespect,rubbishanddogmessisleftbehindanditemsarevandalised.Ifwehadparkwardens/patrolsthismayhelp.Needtoilets,alittlecafeandsomeprideback in our borough.

Positivecomment

Negativecomment

Aspirationalcomment


Play

CastleGreenparkusedtobegreatwhenIwasakidgrowingup,Iwasalwaysoverthere, the swings and slides were fab. Bring back decent parks for the young to play in and for the elderly to walk in safely.

CastleGreenparkhasnoswings/slidesetconlyaskatepark.Itwouldbeniceforthechildrentohaveatleastsomeswingsandclimbingframesnotjustgrasstoplayon;theskate park is more for older children.

HasanyonefromthecouncilactuallyvisitedPondfieldParkrecently!Itisliterallyfallingapart.Ihavemadesomanycomplaintsandgetnoresponse.It’ssounfairasmykidshavenowhereelsetogothatiscloseenoughtogowithoutme.Pleasepleasepleasejustsendsomeonedowntohavealookatthedateoftheplayequipmentitisbloodydisgustinganddangerous

Niceplayareasforthekids,weusedtolovegoingtotheswingparkatParsloesaskids,now there is barely anything there apart from broken glass and rubbish...I actually saw a pair of disagreed knickers under a bench once so maybe patrols across the parks to makesuretheyaren’tbeingmisusedtoo.Inowtakemychildrentootherboroughstoplay which is sad considering the park is a two minute walk from our house.

AbetterplayareainMayesbrookPark

OldDagenhamparkishugebutcrapusedtobeslidesforkidsnownothingthere.

Yeawheredidthebloodyslidesgo.

Sortoutthekidsplaygrounds.Everythingisgettingruinedbythebiggerkids!

Mayesbrookparkcoulddowithabetterplayareaforthelittleonesspeciallyastheyonlyhavetwoswingsforeveryone.

MayesbrookParkislovelyonlythingmysons4andtheplaygroundissosmallandideally for 2 year olds and then the rest is for older kids

Mydaughtersfavouritebitwastheslideanditwentwithoutwarningsheliterallycriedwhenwediscoveredithadgone.(RE:MayesbrookPark)

Hasthebigslidebeenremovedhaven’tbeentherelatelyasmysonfindsitboringonlygo there to feed the ducks x (RE:MayesbrookPark)

Everythingintheplayareasiseitherbrokenorfallingapart.ThezipwireinCentralParkhasnoseatonitbecauseofvandals.Giveourkidswhattheydeserve,somewheredecent to play.

Anditwouldbegreatifyoucouldmendthezipwireandreplacetheseatonit,it’sbeenbrokeforyearsaftersomeonelettheirdogeattheswing.(RE:CentralPark)

ValenceParkisourlocalandit’sindesperateneedofsomeattention,wouldbealovelylittleparkforthelittleonesiftheplaygroundwasrevamped!

It’sajokeintherenowallthatfieldandf***allonitlol(RE:OldDagenhamPark)

OldDagenhamParkhasnothingforkidssothatneedsdoing

PleasepleasepleasefindsomefundsorastrategytoraisesometoreplacetheplayequipmentinStChad’sPark.Ourchildrenjustlovetheparkbutplayingonbarefilled-inpatchesoftarmacandemptyframeswhereswingsonceswungjustisn’tmuchfun

ParsloesandValenceplayareascouldseriouslydowithamakeover.

Let’shavemoreclimbingthings,swings,Valenceishorriblebuthassomuchspacetomake it look nice.

Ithinkwehaveloadsofniceparksherebutplaygroundsneedupdatingandnotoiletsinmany!

Putbackthegoalposts!!Putbackswings!Stoptakingthemdown

TheparksinDagenhamaredisgustingIlivenearPondfieldthebigclimbingframeonone side has been closed for ages and on other side there was big holes in the kids play areaItakemysontoStratfordwheretheygotsandpitswaterfountainsandthatitlovelyandcleangottoiletsandteastallsallaround.

Swings,slides,roundabouts,parkkeeperstostoptheyobsdefacingandvandalisingtheparkequipment!

Dogs

Moresignstellingpeopletopickuptheirdogpoos.Toomanyareleftintheparksmaking them unenjoyable to walk in.

How about more dog bins too I am one one the responsible ones but carrying a bag of pooforamileisdisgusting

GoresbrookandsurroundingparksarefullofbrokenglassdogspoohIhaveadogandcleanupbutIseesomanywhodon’tit’snotgdenoughparkswouldbesomuchbetterifallthiswasn’tthere.

ValenceParkneedswardensandmoredogpoobins,thatareemptiedregularly!Mysonhasfootballtrainingandallucansmellisweed!It’sdisgustinganduneverseeanyonemonitoringintheevening,plusdogpoobinsIthinkthere’sonlytwo!So,everyone,includingmyselfhavetousetheregularbinswhicharealwaysoverflowing!


SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS SUMMARY

35%

59%

6%

NE GA TI VE PO SI TI VE AS PI RA TI ON AL

General15%Dogs5%

Managementandmaintenance5%

Cleanliness6%

Facilities12%

SafetyandSecurity27%

Play30%


A7.1 CONCEPT OF NATURAL CAPITAL AND ACCOUNTINGNatural capital refers to the stock of natural assets upon which our economies andsocietiesarebuilt.Likeotherformsofcapital,naturalcapitalproducesvalueforpeopleintheformof‘goods’(e.g.timber,fishstocks,minerals)and‘services’(e.g.waterprovision,airpurification,floodprevention).Inordertoeffectivelyandsustainablymanagenaturalcapital,informationonitsconditionandproductivityneedstobecollatedinastructuredandsystematicwaysothatinformeddecisionscanbemadetoachievehigher(longterm)benefitswhileminimising costs.

TheCorporateNaturalCapitalAccounting(CNCA)frameworkdevelopedbyeftecandpartnersfortheNaturalCapitalCommittee84 produces a set of reportingstatementsthatcanbeusedbyanorganisationtomonitorandmeasurethehealthandvalueofnaturalcapitalitownsormanages.CNCAcan also be used to make strategic and business decisions about the future managementanddevelopmentofthatnaturalcapital(aswellasthewiderbusiness).

TheCNCAframeworkcollatesandpresentsinformationaboutnaturalcapitalinasimilarwaytohowothercapitalassets(e.g.financialandphysicalassets)thatarereportedonanorganisationsbalancesheet.Itreportsthebenefittoboththeorganisationsthatownnaturalcapitalassetsandthecommunitiesthatbenefitfromthemwithreferencetothefollowingissues:

1.Whatnaturalcapitalassetsdoestheorganisation,own,manage,orisresponsible for?2.Whatflowsofbenefitsdothoseassetsproducefortheorganisationandwider society?3.Whatisthevalueofthosebenefits?4.Whatdoesitcosttomaintainthenaturalassetsandflowsofbenefits?

Tothisend,theCNCA(i)recordstheconditionofnaturalcapitalownedormanagedbyanorganisation(naturalcapitalassetregisterandphysicalflowaccounts);(ii)measuresthevaluethatthenaturalcapitalproducesfortheorganisationitselfandsocietyingeneral(assetvalues)(monetaryflowaccounts);and(iii)assessesthecosts(liabilities)ofmaintainingthisvalue(maintenancecostaccounts).

A7.2 OVERVIEW OF CNCA PROCESSCNCAismadeupoffoursupportingschedulesandtworeportingschedules(seeFigureA.7.1).

Supportingschedulesare:• Naturalcapitalassetregisterwhichshowsthesizeandtheconditionofthe

assets(Section10.4ofthemainreport).• Physicalflowaccountwhichmeasuresthe(ecosystem)servicesprovided

bytheseassetsinbiophysicalterms–asrelevanttoeachservice(Section10.5).

• Monetaryflowaccountswhichestimatesthebenefitsoftheseservicestotheorganisationitself(privatevalues)andtoothers(externalvalues)(Section10.6).

• Maintenancecostaccountwhichshowshowmuchtheorganisationspends maintaining the natural capital assets within the scope of the CNCA(Section10.7).

Thereportingstatementsare:• Naturalcapitalbalancesheetwhichreportsthevalueofnaturalcapital

assets,andthecosts(liabilities)ofmaintainingthoseassets.• Statementofchangeinnaturalassetswhichreportsthechange(gain

orloss)inassetvaluesandliabilitiesoveragivenaccountingperiod.AstheapplicationinLBBDwasforthefirst(base)yearonly,thisstatementcannot be produced.

This study produced the natural capital balance sheet as an opening account. AnExcelworkbookhasalsobeenproducedforfutureusebyLBBDtodevelopastatement of change.

A7.2 LBBD CNCATheCNCAforLBBDis:

1.Composedof:a.AnassetregisterforthesitesincludedwithintheOpenSpacesStrategy.b.Anaturalcapitalbalancesheetforthebenefitsofthesesitesthatarepossibletoquantifyandmonetise.

2. Consistent with the guidance on CNCA including from the Natural Capital Committee85andtheNaturalCapitalProtocolaswellasexistingCNCAexamples.

3.ReplicablesothatLBBDstaffcanupdateiteveryyeartoallowfuturestatements of changes in net natural assets.

APPENDIX 7 BACKGROUND TO CNCA

A Fig.A.7.1-TheCorporateNaturalCapitalAccounting(CNCA)frameworkstructure7NOTES84 http://www.naturalcapitalcommittee.org/corporate-natural-capital-

accounting.html

85 See:eftecetal.(2015)Developingcorporatenaturalcapitalaccounts,FinalReportfortheNaturalCapitalCommittee,January2015;andeftecetal.(2015)Developingcorporatenaturalcapitalaccounts,GuidelinesfortheNaturalCapitalCommittee,January2015.


Thisannexprovidesinformationregardingsources,methods,andassumptionsusedtodeveloptheCNCAforLBBD.Detailedstepsofeachsubsequentcalculationoftheanalysisareprovidedwithinthe(automated)ExcelworkbookdevelopedforLBBDaspartofthisaccount.TheExcelworkbookandaccompanyingcalculationswillbepresentedtoCouncilstaffduringatrainingexerciseaimedatenablingLBBDtoupdatetheCNCAinthefuture.Thesectionisorganisedalongthelinesofthebenefitsassessed.

A8.1 RECREATIONSitesconsideredfortheanalysisofrecreationbenefitsarethoseincludedintherevisedParksandOpenSpaceStrategy.AshighlightedinSection4,thenumberofvisitstositeswithinLBBDhasbeenestimatedusingtheOutdoorRecreationValuationTool(ORVal)86developedbytheUniversityofExeterforDefra.ThetoolisbasedonthenationallyrepresentativeMonitorofEngagementwiththeNaturalEnvironment(MENE)survey(n=280,790)whichusesinterviewswithaweeklyquotasample,andpopulationweights,toestimatenaturevisitfrequencyacrossEngland,andprovidesdetailsonthesevisits.Thetoolalsotakesintoaccountsubstitutesindeterminingrecreationalvalues,anddistinguishesbetweendisplacedandadditionalrecreationactivity.ForthepurposesofthisCNCA,andwiththeaimofaligningtheanalysistotheOpenSpaceAssessment,thefollowingtypesofgreenspaceswerefilteredout(i.e.unselectedwithinthetoolsinterface)oftheLBBDboundaryduringORValanalysis:

• Agricultural land• Allotments• Cemeteries• Coastal• Estuary• Golf• Parking• Seaside

Thetoolalsoprovidesanestimateforthewelfarevalues(inmonetaryterms)associatedwiththesevisits.Theestimationofwelfarevaluesidentifieshowmuchwelfareanindividualenjoysasaresultofvisitingagreenspaceanditsattributes(e.g.thesize,theamenities).Inaddition,itidentifieshowmuchwelfareislostfromeachextrapoundofcostincurredintravellingtoagreenspace.ThefiguresreproducedinTableA.1arenetwelfarevaluesforopenspacesinLBBDbasedonthevisitorandvalueestimatesinORVal.

ThesevaluesaredrivenbythenumberofvisitsandwereusedwithintheCNCAasindicativeoftherecreationalvalueprovidedbyLBBD’sgreenspace.

A8.2 PHYSICAL HEALTHAccesstolocal,safeandnaturalgreenspacecanhelpindividualssustainhigherlevelsofphysicalactivity.Inaddition,themotivationtocontinuephysicalactivityschemesismorelikelytobesustainedthroughthenaturalenvironment.Peopletendtobemorelikelytocontinueactivitiesinwhichexercisebecomessecondarytoenvironmentalorsocialbenefits(e.g.Gardening,GreenGymorwalkingingreenspace)thanactivitiesinwhichexerciseremainstheprimarydriver(Bird,2004).

ThisanalysisexploresthepotentialvalueofphysicalactivitysupportedbygreenspaceinLBBDintermsofavoidedhealthcostsofinactivity.InEngland,thedirectcostsofinactivityanditsassociatedhealthcostshavebeenestimatedataround£10billionperyear(Designedtomove,2013;WalkingforHealth,2010;NationalInstituteforHealthandCareExcellence,2006).Inactivityhasbeenidentifiedgloballyasthefourthleadingriskfactorformortality(WHO,2010).Further,areportbytheAssociationofPublicHealthDirectorsshowedthatifeveryoneinEnglandmetguidelinesforphysicalactivitynearly37,000deathsayearcouldbeprevented(NetworkofPublicHealthObservatories,2013).

Toestimatetheeconomicvalueofthisphysicalactivity,UKActiveestimatesof:(i)the%populationinactive(~35%)and(ii)theannualcosttothelocaleconomy,includingtreatingdiseasesandsicknessabsencesfromwork(over£23million),wereusedtoestimatetheaveragecostsperinactivepersoninLBBD(£326)(UKActive,2014).

Thephysicalactivityguidelineof5visitsperweektranslatestoatotalof260activevisitsperyear.Therefore,asitecanbeassumedtosupporttheentirephysicallyactivelifestyleforonepersonwithevery260activevisitsitreceives.ForLBBD,anestimated1,491,641activevisitsaremade,meaningLBBDsiteshavethecapacitytosupporttheentirephysicallyactivelifestyleof5,737peopleperyear(1,491,641/260).Thevalueoftheseactivelifestylescanbeinferredonthebasisthattheyavoidtheadditionalmedicalcostsassociatedwithinactivity,anestimated£326perinactivepersoninLBBD.Thisgivesanestimateofthevalueofphysicalactivityundertakenoutdoors,intermsofavoidedhealthcosts,ofover£1.9millionperyear.

Itshouldbenotedthattheseestimateshavebeencalculatedagainstacounterfactualofthisphysicalactivityhavingnottakenplace.Thisisnotrepresentativeoftheimpactofparksandopenspaces,asitislikelythatmany people who currently exercise outdoors would, if faced with an absence ofoutdoorfacilities,shifttoindoorexercise,ortraveltootherBoroughsforoutdoorexerciseopportunities(althoughbothalternativesdoinvolveadditionalcostsandhencewelfareloss).Theseassumptionsmeantheaccountrepresentsanassetvalueorthehealthbenefitssupportedbyuseofopenspaces, but not necessarily the impact of those spaces. This is considered acceptableforaccountingpurposes.

Itshouldalsobenotedthataproportionofthevalueofincreasedphysicalactivitywouldmanifestitselfasadecreaseincoststolocalhealthfacilitiesandservices.Ingeneral,asaperson’smentalandphysicalhealthandqualityoflifeincreases,theirdependencyonvariouslocalhealthcarefacilitiesandservicesdecrease.AdditionalbenefitstoLBBDarisebecausehealthandwellbeingofanindividualorpopulationcanpositivelyinfluencewiderfactorssuchaseducation,employment,income,andwelfare.

APPENDIX 8CNCA’s METHODOLOGY

A£mperyr

Totalvalueofvisits 11.2

SEG

AB 3.3

C1 3.9

C2 1.9

DE 2.0

Table A8.1 - ORVal recreation welfare value estimates (£ million per year)

8


A8.3 CLIMATE REGULATIONClimateregulationincludesreducinggreenhousegasemissionsand/ortheirconcentrationsintheatmosphere.Mitigationisavitalresponsetoachangingclimateasthegreaterthereductionofemissionsandconcentrationsofgreenhousegases,thelessseverethenegativeimpactsofclimatechangewillbe.Investmentstoenhancegreenspacescancontributetothefollowingfactorswhichaidmitigation:

• Carbonstorageandsequestrationinsoilandvegetation.• Fossilfuelsubstitution–e.g.throughincreasedbiomassresource.• Materialsubstitution–e.g.throughincreased/alternativefibreresource.• Spaceforlocalfoodproduction.• Reducingtheneedtotraveltoaccessgreenspace.

Inaddition,byhelpingtomanagehightemperatures,greeninfrastructurecouldalso reduce energy demand for cooling in buildings, further helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This also highlights how green infrastructure can playaroleinclimatechangeadaptation,butthisissueisnotexploredfurtherinthis study.

Carbonsequestrationratesdifferfordifferenttypesofhabitatsanddifferentland management choices can either maintain or increase the carbon store forlongperiodsoftime,orresultinnetemissions.Therefore,landuseandmanagementchoicescanhaveanimportantroleindeterminingtheamountofcarbonreleasedintotheatmosphereorstoredinthesoil(mitigation)and,asaconsequence,inglobalclimateregulation(Smithetal.,2007;Thompson,2008).

Forthisanalysisaveragesequestrationratesforthethreemainhabitattypes(providedby(Soussanaetal.,2009;eftec,2010)i.e.woodland,amenitygrassland, and neutral grassland were applied to the area of each habitat. The totalamountofcarbonsequesteredwasthenappliedtocentralnon-tradedcarbonvaluesfollowingDECCGuidance(DECC,2014).DECCestimatesforthe£pertonneofnon-tradedcarbonusedwithinthevaluationcalculationsisprovidedwithintheaccompanyingExcelworkbook.

A8.4 MAINTENANCE COSTSA summary of the cost by cost centre and expense type is shown in the following table A8.2.

Table A8.2 - Summary of the cost by cost centre and expense type

NOTES86 Formoreinformation,see:http://leep.exeter.ac.uk/orval/


APPENDIX 9FEASIBILITY ESTIMATE

A9

/Volumes/data/Projects2200/2246-CBBDStrategy/CostEstimates/2246B&DOpenSpace-FeasibilityEstimate-17.05.12.xlsx 1of19

LONDONBOROUGHOFBARKINGANDDAGENHAMOPENSPACESTRATEGY

FEASIBILITYESTIMATE

QuantitySurveyors

HUNTLEYCARTWRIGHTCharteredQuantitySurveyorsVictoriaHouseHarestoneValleyRoadCaterhamSurreyCR36HY

May2017



LONDONBOROUGHOFBARKINGANDDAGENHAMOPENSPACESTRATEGY

NOTES

1 DRAWINGS&SPECIFICATION

JonSheafandAssociatesMasterPlansA1763-JSA-L1000GreatfiledsParkOldDagenhamparkStChadsParkValenceParkAbbeyGreenParkEastbrookendCountryParkCentralParkBarkingParkMayesbrookPark

2 REVISIONHISTORY

FirstIssuePreparedby:ND/CB 17-26/5/17Checkedby:IRJ 24-26/5/17

3 NOTES

Assumptions;

Exclusions;

Asbestosremovalworks

CIL,s106ors278costs

Inflation-COSTAREVALIDFOR2NDQUARTER2017VAT

ContaminatedgroundorlandremediationRequirementsarisingfromlistedbuildingand/orconservationareastatusifapplicablePublicenquiries,pressuregroupsorplanningrefusal

ChangesinlegislationrelatingtothebuiltenvironmentoremploymentEcologicalissues-endangeredspecies/habitatsorsitesofspecialscientificinterestRestrictionsonsiteaccessandworkinghours

Noallowancehasbeenmadeforcostsarisingfromthefollowing:

ConstructionworksareprocuredusingcompetitivetenderProvisionalallowanceshavebeenmadeforworkstoexistingutilities(Gas,water,drainageandelectricity)Existingservicesupplieswillneedtobeverified


LONDONBOROUGHOFBARKINGANDDAGENHAMOPENSPACESSTRATEGY

FEASIBILITYESTIMATESUMMARY

REF. DESCRIPTION ESTIMATESUMMARY

1 Parks

1.1 GreatfieldsPark 866,425

1.2 OldDagenhamPark 1,674,756

1.3 StChadsPark 1,276,882

1.4 ValencePark 1,858,822

1.5 AbbeyGreenPark 1,311,765

1.6 EastbrookendCountryPark 2,489,164

1.7 CentralPark 2,702,455

1.7 BarkingPark 1,294,205

1.8 MayesbrookPark 4,133,768

SUBTOTAL:PARKWORKS 17,608,241

2 MAINCONTRACTOR'SPRELIMINARIES(10%)ANDOVERHEADS&PROFIT(8%)=(18%) 3,169,483

SUBTOTAL 20,777,724

4 OTHERPROJECTCOSTS

4.1 CONTINGENCIES(15%) 3,116,659

4.2 PROFESSIONALDESIGNFEESANDSURVEYS(15%) 3,116,659

4.2.1 ADDITIONALFEASIBILITYSTUDIES 50,000

4.3 CLIENTCOSTS-TBC TBC

SUBTOTAL 27,061,042

5 INFLATION-Excluded-ProgrammeTBC Excl.

SUBTOTAL 27,061,042

6 VAT-Excluded Excl.

TOTALPROJECTCOST 27,061,042

TOTALCOST;SAY£ 27,060,000




GREATFIELDSPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE

REF DESCRIPTION QUANTITY UNIT RATE AMOUNT

1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 None

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 NorthEastEntrance

Removeexistingpathways 309 m2 30 9,270Newentrancehardlandscaping 804 m2 100 80,425

2.2 MainActivitiesArea

Refurbish/replaceexistingtenniscourt,andfencing 1 item 25,000 25,000Removeexistingtenniscourtpath 36 m2 30 1,080Newtenniscourtpath 172 m2 60 10,320Removeexistinghedgesandplanting 166 m2 15 2,490NewPlaygroundsurface(hardandsafetyplay-extenttbc) 750 m2 100 75,000Allowasumfornewplaygroundequipment 1 item 25,000 25,000Removeexistingpath 258 m2 40 10,320Newpath 262 m2 60 15,720Newfeaturebench/seatingwall 1 item 15,000 15,000Newmultisportsareaandsurface 1,265 m2 50 63,250Newlowherbaceuousplanting 382 m2 15 5,730Removetrees 10 Nr 150 1,500

2.3 NewEastEntrance

Removeexistingpaths 334 m2 30 10,020Newentranceandpath 310 m2 65 20,150Newlowherbaceuousplanting 310 m2 40 12,400

2.4 NewSocialSpace

Removeexistingpaths 187 m2 30 5,610Removetrees 4 Nr 300 1,200Removerosegarden 0 m2 25 0Newpath 286 m2 60 17,160Newlowherbaceuousplanting 971 m2 40 38,840

2.5 NorthWestEntrance

Removeexistingtrees 12 Nr 300 3,600Newlowherbaceuousplanting 337 m2 40 13,480

2.6 Newwetlandarea

Removeexistingpaths 452 m2 30 13,560Removeexistingplanting 573 m2 5 2,865Newwetlandarea;earthworkandpreparation 1,700 m2 35 59,500Plantingtowetlandarea 1,242 m2 20 24,840

2.7 MatureSalixBabylonicaPath

May2017

ESTIMATE



GREATFIELDSPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


May2017

ESTIMATE

Newtrees 15 Nr 450 6,750Newlowherbaceuousplanting 337 m2 40 13,480Removeexistinghardpavingjunction 109 m2 40 4,360Newhardpavingjunction 109 m2 60 6,540Newjunctionlawn 24 m2 15 360

2.8 AreaSouthofMatureSalixBabylonicaPath

Newmeadowareas 2,790 m2 5 13,950Newgrassmounds 2,505 m2 15 37,575Newtrees 31 Nr 450 13,950Newgrasspath 590 m2 5 2,950Newpath 770 m2 60 46,200Removeexistingpath 900 m2 40 36,000Removeexistingtrees 32 Nr 300 9,600

2.9 Existingplayarea

Removepaths 50 m2 40 2,000Removeplayarea 650 m2 40 26,000Newlawn 700 m2 12 8,400

2.10 SouthEastEntrance

Removeexistingtrees 5 Nr 300 1,500Newentrancehardlandscaping 372 m2 90 33,480

2.11 GeneralItems

Improvementstogatesandrailings 1 PS 20,000 20,000Improvementstoparksignage 1 PS 10,000 10,000Improvementstoparkfurniture 1 PS 10,000 10,000

TOTALCOST;SAY£ 866,425




OLDDAGENHAMPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 None

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 NorthWestCorner(Enhancedentrace/carpark/changingfacilities/Westboundary)

Removeexistingentrancepathways 247 m2 30 7,410Removeornamentalgarden 515 m2 10 5,150Newroad-turningarea 163 m2 150 24,450Newenhanceentrancehardpaving 454 m2 100 45,400Newperrennialplanting 129 m2 35 4,515Newpathfromentrancetoendoftenniscourt 487 m2 60 29,220RefurbishedEast/WestpathtoChangingFacilities 855 m2 25 21,375Newtenniscourts/fencing/painting(1420m2) 4 nr 30,000 120,000Removeexistingpathways 1,537 m2 30 46,110Removeexistingplantingbyexistingtenniscourts 1,255 m2 10 12,550Newtrees 22 Nr 450 9,900Newdensetreesbynewtenniscourts&bowlinggreen;allowasum 1 Sum 10,000 10,000RemoveexistingBowlingGreenstorageshed 1 Sum 1,000 1,000

2.2 NorthEastCorner(Carpark-EastEnhancedEntrance-CentreSocialCircle)

RemoveexistingBMXtrack 1 Sum 5,000 5,000NewSkatepark(1885m2) 1 Sum 250,000 250,000Refurbishexistingcarpark 1 Sum 25,000 25,000NewpavingaroundChangingFacilities/BowlingGreen 1 Sum 50,000 50,000Removepaths 1,062 m2 30 31,860Removeexistinghardsurfacearea 524 m2 30 15,720Newpath 1,615 m2 60 96,900Newenhancedentrancehardpaving 155 m2 100 15,500Newdensetreesbycarpark 17 Nr 400 6,800Newtrees-orchard 63 Nr 150 9,450Newunder-storeyfoodplanting 2,070 m2 5 10,350Newmounds 3,439 m2 25 85,975Newmeadows 3,877 m2 3 11,631

2.3 WestBorder

Newornamentalplanting 2,123 m2 40 84,920Newperennialplanting 310 m2 35 10,850

2.4 EventSpaceandRemainingParkArea

Removetrees 15 Nr 200 3,000Removeplayarea 550 m2 15 8,250Removeskateablearea 300 m2 15 4,500Newpaths 954 m2 60 57,240Newplaygroundsurface(hardandsafetyplay-extenttbc) 1,060 m2 100 106,000Newplaygroundequipment 1 Sum 50,000 50,000Newgrasspaths&socialareas 1,329 m2 5 6,647Newcircularhardpavingareas 785 m2 75 58,905

May2017

ESTIMATE



OLDDAGENHAMPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


May2017

ESTIMATE

Newenhancedentranceshardpaving 353 m2 50 17,650Newmeadows 22,338 m2 5 111,688Newadultfootballpitches 2 nr 20,000 40,000Newsmallfootballpitch 1 nr 15,000 15,000Newtrees 69 Nr 400 27,600Newornamentalplanting 1,406 m2 40 56,240

2.5 GeneralItems

Newroadcrossing 1 PS 35,000Improvementstogatesandrailings 1 PS 10,000 10,000Improvementstoparksignage 1 PS 1,500 10,000Newparkequipment 1 Sum 10,000 10,000





STCHADSPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 None

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 AreabetweenExistingNorth/SouthPathandEastBoundary

Newwoodlandplanting 1,553 m2 30 46,590Newtrees 7 Nr 400 2,800Newentrancehardpaving 268 m2 90 24,120Newpath 100 m2 60 6,000Newconifers 6 Nr 200 1,200Removeexisitinggarages 7 nr 500 3,500Removeexistingvehicularaccess 183 m2 30 5,490Newlawnoverremovedgarages,outdoorgymandvehicularaccess 546 m2 15 8,190Breakoutexistingbasketballcourtfornewtenniscourts 1,551 m2 5 7,755Re-locatetenniscourts(3Nr)incl.fencing 1 Sum 75,000 75,000Re-locateoutdoorgym(456m2)incl.gymequipment 1 Sum 20,000 20,000Removeexistingpath 50 m2 40 2,000Removetrees 1 Nr 150 150

2.2 AreabetweenExistingNorth/SouthPathandWestBoundary

Removeredundantparkfeature 1 nr 5,000 5,000Removepath 69 m2 30 2,070Newgravelpath 3,160 m2 30 94,800Newwetlandplanting 1,530 m2 5 7,650Newmeadow 1,300 m2 5 6,500Newgrasspath 3,244 m2 5 16,220Newlonggrass 28,377 m2 3 85,132Newincidentalnaturalplayfeatures 7 Nr 1,500 10,500Newtrees 23 Nr 150 3,450NewWestentrancehardpaving 590 m2 90 53,100Newsmallfootballpitch,includingpaintinglines 1 nr 20,000 20,000Newadultfootballpitch,includingpaintinglines 1 nr 15,000 15,000

2.3 PlayArea

Newplayareasurface 871 m2 100 87,100New/re-configuredplaygroundequipment 1 Sum 15,000 15,000NewSurroudinghardpaving 322 m2 70 22,540Newfence 233 m 100 23,300Newmeadow 741 m2 5 3,705Newtrees 6 Nr 450 2,700Removerailing(lengthunknown) 1 Sum 5,000 5,000

2.4 AreaSouthofmainEast/Westpath

Removetrees 10 Nr 150 1,500Removepaths 418 m2 30 12,540Removetenniscourts 2,227 m2 5 11,135Removehedges 185 m 10 1,850

May2017

ESTIMATE



STCHADSPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


May2017

ESTIMATE

Removeplantingbeds 94 m2 10 940Newlawn 2,739 m2 5 13,695Newpaths 171 m2 60 10,260Newentrancehardpaving 538 m2 90 48,420Newtrees 28 Nr 450 12,600Newconifers 3 Nr 200 600NewhardpavingaroundnewTeaLawn 4,562 m2 90 410,580NewfencingaroundBowlingGreen 165 m 120 19,800Re-purposeexistingbowlinggreentoTeaLawn 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Re-furbishchangingroom 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newfoodgrowingarea 360 m2 5 1,800Newunder-storeyplanting(byneworchard) 940 m2 5 4,700

2.5 GeneralItems

Newstreetplanting-trees 22 Nr 450 9,900Improvementstogatesandrailings 1 PS 10,000 10,000Improvementstoparksignage 1 PS 5,000 5,000





VALENCEPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 Newfootballpavilion 390 m2 1,000 390,000

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 NorthEastQuadrant

Newcarpark 1,560 m2 75 117,000Newlonggrass 2,619 m2 5 13,095Newtrees 29 Nr 450 13,050Newshrubs 146 m2 30 4,380Newcircularsocialspace-hardpaving 531 m2 75 39,820Newself-bindinggravelpath 957 m2 30 28,710NewTrimTrails 3 Nr 2,500 7,500Newmounds 2,960 m2 5 14,800Newplayfeatures 3 Nr 2,500 7,500Newpublicfurniture(4xpicnictables,3xbenches) 1 Sum 15,000 15,000Breakoutexistinghardsurfaces 3,456 m2 30 103,680Newlawn 1,728 m2 5 8,640Newentrancehardpaving 102 m2 90 9,180

2.2 SouthEastQuadrant

Newlonggrass 5,810 m2 5 29,050Newtrees 14 Nr 450 6,300Newself-bindinggravelpath 534 m2 30 16,020Newmounds 769 m2 5 3,845Newpublicfurniture(2xbenches) 1 Sum 3,000 3,000Newentrancehardpaving 205 m2 90 18,450Newactivityhardpaving 1,800 m2 70 126,000Newwheelsarea 970 m2 100 97,000Newoutdoorgym 1 item 15,000 15,000Newornatmentalplanting 357 m2 35 12,495Newshrubs 1,018 m2 30 30,536

2.4 SouthWestQuadrant

Removepaths 650 m2 30 19,500Removeexistingbuildings 101 m2 150 15,150Newlawn 101 m2 5 505Newhardsurfacetofootballpavilion 680 m2 70 47,600Newfootballpitches 2 nr 20,000 40,000Newentrancehardpaving 205 m2 90 18,450Newornamentalplanting 478 m2 35 16,730Newtrees 10 Nr 450 4,500

2.5 NorthWestQuadrant

Newself-bindinggravelpath 3,382 m2 30 101,460Newgrasspath 648 m2 5 3,240Newpublicfurniture(3Nrbenches,7xpicnictables) 1 Sum 20,000 20,000NewPlatforms 146 m2 125 18,250

May2017

ESTIMATE



VALENCEPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


May2017

ESTIMATE

Newlonggrass 396 m2 5 1,980Newtrees 20 Nr 450 9,000Newplayground 220 m2 100 22,000Newplaygroundequipment 1 Sum 25,000 25,000Newexternalcaféhardpavingarea 161 m2 75 12,075Newornamentalplanting 301 m2 35 10,535NewSensoryGardenornamentalplanting 1,155 m2 40 46,208Newwillowstructure 1 Nr 5,000 5,000Newsurfaceatcorneroflake 95 m2 50 4,750

2.5 CentralPlaygroundArea

Newplaygroundsurface 2,235 m2 50 111,750Newplaygroundequipment 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newpath 2,073 m2 60 124,380Newcircularhardpaving 314 m2 50 15,708Newbandstand(deleted) 0 Sum 0

2.5 GeneralItems

Improvementstogatesandrailings 1 PS 10,000 10,000Improvementstoparksignage 1 PS 10,000 10,000Improvementstowater'sedge 1 PS 5,000 5,000





ABBEYGREENPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 None

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 NorthArea

Enlargedpavingareanexttoexistingbusstops 1,008 m2 60 60,480Newlowplanting 4,732 m2 25 118,300Newpaths 1,700 m2 60 102,000NewPentanquecourt 1 item 10,000 10,000NewBreedongravelarea 140 m2 30 4,200Newchesstablesandseating 1 Sum 5,000 5,000Removetrees(ProsvisionalQuantity) 50 Nr 150 7,500Publicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newlowperennial/herbaceousplanting 175 m2 35 6,125

2.2 CentralArea

Newlightweightviewingstructure 73 m 350 25,550Improvedsignageandinterpretationboards 1 Sum 5,000 5,000Newtrees 13 Nr 450 5,850Reconfiguredcarparking 400 m2 50 20,000Newcivicspace-hardpaving 556 m2 150 83,400Newpublicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newpaths 204 m2 60 12,240Newmeadow(Provisional) 1,507 m2 5 7,535Newextendedpavement 1,910 m2 50 95,500

2.3 SouthArea

Removepaths(ProvisionalQuantity) 1,300 m2 30 39,000Newpaths 1,480 m2 60 88,800Newpathwithwalllighting 553 m2 150 82,950Newwaterfeature 1 Sum 200,000 200,000Newlowplanting 6,357 m2 15 95,355Removetrees(ProsvisionalQuantity) 20 Nr 150 3,000Newtrees 9 Nr 450 4,050Publicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newplayequipment 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newfencearoundplayarea 110 m 120 13,200Newlowperennial/herbaceousplanting 333 m2 25 8,325Newpop-uppowerandwater 1 Sum 20,000 20,000Newlightingcolumns 12 Nr 750 9,000

2.4 TownQuayArea

Newpaths 418 m2 60 25,080ImprovedconnectiontoTownQuay 32 m2 50 1,600EnhancedviewingplatformtoTownQuay 236 m2 250 59,000Newlowplanting 1,349 m2 25 33,725

May2017

ESTIMATE



ABBEYGREENPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


May2017

ESTIMATE

2.5 GeneralItems

Improvementstogatesandrailings 1 PS 10,000 10,000Improvementstoparksignage 1 PS 10,000 10,000





EASTBROOKENDCOUNTRYPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 None

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 NorthArea

Removepaths 10,968 m2 15 164,520Newself-bindinggravelpathnetwork 9,247 m2 30 277,410Newmounds 32,686 m2 5 163,430Newviewingpointwithpicnicarea 214 m2 250 53,456Playequipment 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newcirculargravelpathwayareas 645 m2 80 51,600Removetrees(ProvisionalQuantity) 25 Nr 150 3,750Newtrees 39 Nr 450 17,550Publicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newlonggrassmeadow 54,729 m2 5 273,645

2.2 SouthArea

Removepaths 13,548 m2 15 203,220Newself-bindinggravelpathnetwork 12,348 m2 30 370,440Newgrasspaths 4,326 m2 5 21,630Newplayarea 894 m2 50 44,700Newmounds 7,077 m2 5 35,385Newcirculargravelpathwayareas 2,151 m2 5 10,755Removetrees(ProvisionalQuantity) 50 Nr 150 7,500Newtrees 24 Nr 450 10,800Publicfurniture 1 Sum 1,000 1,000Newlonggrassmeadow 88,062 m2 5 440,310Platformstowater 7 Nr 10,000 70,000Jettiestowater 20 Nr 5,000 100,000Wetlandnetworkpaths 88 m2 35 3,063Areaforeducationalpurposesinc.sharedcarpark(TBC) 1 item 35,000 35,000

2.3 CentralEast/WestCorridor

Reinforcedconnectionwithlargerentrance 1 item 50,000 50,000

2.5 GeneralItems

Improvementstogatesandrailings 1 PS 20,000 20,000Improvementstoparksignage 1 PS 15,000 15,000Improvementstowater'sedge 1 PS 25,000 25,000


May2017

ESTIMATE



CENTRALPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 Newpavilion/changingrooms 1 Nr 500,000 500,000Removeexistingpavilion/changingrooms 1 Nr 25,000 25,000Removeexistingpavilionhardpaving 1450 m2 15 21,750Removeexistingstoragesheds 1 Nr 10,000 10,000

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 NorthPitchandPuttArea

Newmounds 6,840 m2 5 34,200Newtrees 37 Nr 450 16,650Newentrancehardpaving 355 m2 90 31,950Newfence 745 m 120 89,400Newcaféterrace 1,507 m2 65 97,955Removetenniscourt 2,000 m2 5 10,000Newlawn 2,000 m2 5 10,000Newplayarea 844 m2 100 84,400Newhigh-wireequipment 1 Sum 50,000 50,000

2.2 EastBoundarytoNewPathArea

Newmeadow 3,370 m2 5 16,850Newpaths 2,448 m2 60 146,880Newwoodlandbelt 12,374 m2 3 37,122Newpublicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newentrancehardpaving 624 m2 90 56,160Removeplayarea&path 1,085 m2 15 16,275Newlawn 1,085 m2 5 5,425Thinoutexistingtrees 1 Sum 10,000 10,000

2.4 East/CentralArea

Removepaths 1,665 m2 15 24,975Newgravelpath 1,195 m2 30 35,850Newgrasspath 825 m2 5 4,125Newlawn 1,665 m2 5 8,325Newcirculargrassarea 454 m2 5 2,270Newplayarea 3,317 m2 100 331,675Newplayequipment 1 Sum 75,000 75,000Newcircularpavingarea 254 m2 50 12,723Newmounds 20,345 m2 5 101,725Newmeadow 11,318 m2 5 56,590Newpublicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newtrees 89 Nr 450 40,050Relocatedtenniscourt 1 Sum 25,000 25,000New3Grugbypitchwithroundedterraces 1 Sum 120,000 120,000Newpavilionexternalsurfaces 2,355 m2 60 141,300Newoutdoorgymarea 444 m2 60 26,640Newoutdoorgymequipment 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newadultfootballpitches 2 nr 20,000 40,000

May2017

ESTIMATE




CENTRALPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


May2017

ESTIMATE

2.5 CentralNorth/SouthArea

Newgravelpath 354 m2 30 10,620Newgrasspath 123 m2 5 615Newcirculargrassarea 227 m2 5 1,135Newpublicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newmounds 11,016 m2 5 55,080Newtrees 19 Nr 450 8,550Newplayground 170 m2 100 17,024Newplaygroundequipment 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newcricketpitch 1 item 20,000 20,000NewFormalsquareWoodlandblocks 5,743 m2 1 5,743

2.5 WestArea

Newgravelpath 3,338 m2 30 100,140Newcirculargrassarea 227 m2 5 1,135Newpublicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newplayground 113 m2 100 11,349Newplaygroundequipment 1 Sum 10,000 10,000NewFormalsquareWoodlandblocks 21,205 m2 1 21,205Newmeadow 1,291 m2 5 6,455Newentrancehardpaving 246 m2 90 22,140

2.5 GeneralItems





BARKINGPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 None

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 General

Newenhancedentrancepaving 1,253 m2 90 112,770Newtrees 100 Nr 450 45,000Newreeds 441 m2 25 11,025Newwoodlandplanting 836 m2 30 25,080Newornamentalplanting 10,400 m2 35 363,993Newmounds 11,990 m2 5Newmeadow 3,551 m2 5 17,755Newplayequipmentforolderchildren 1 Sum 50,000 50,000Newskatepark 1 Sum 250,000 250,000Newsportssurfaces 2,024 m2 5 10,120Newcricketpitchandcircle 1 Sum 20,000 20,000Newadultfootballpitches 2 nr 20,000 40,000Newcellularreinforcedgrasswalkway 211 m2 45 9,495Newpathentrance 676 m2 60 40,560Newplaygroundsurface 41 m2 100 4,072Newplaygroundequipment 1 Sum 10,000 10,000Newgrowingareaplantingbeds 705 m2 25 17,625NewbridgetoLoxfordPark 1 nr 150,000 150,000Enhancedaccesstowarmemorial 251 m2 50 12,550Removepaths 862 m2 15 12,930Removeexistinghardplaysurfaces 2,082 m2 15 31,230New(?)pop-uppowerandwaterpoint 1 Sum 25,000 25,000Newpublicfurniture 1 Sum 10,000 10,000

2.5 GeneralItems



May2017

ESTIMATE




MAYESBROOKPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


1 BUILDINGWORKS

1.1 Newchangingroomsandsocialspace 400 m2 1,800 720,000Demolishexistingchangingroombuilding 345 m2 75 25,875

2 LANDSCAPINGWORKS

2.1 AreaNorthofcentralEast/WestPath

Newboulderingarea 1,521 m2 75 114,040Newentrancehardpaving 910 m2 90 81,900Newfootpath 2,730 m2 40 109,200Newlonggrass 11,205 m2 5 56,025Newmini-footballpitches 4 nr 15,000 60,000Newfull-sizefootballpitch 1 nr 20,000 20,000Newmounds 6,000 m2 5 30,000Newmulti-sportsarea 4,540 m2 50 227,000Newmeadow 1,055 m2 5 5,275Newtrees 48 Nr 450 21,600Removepaths(sitewide) 1,374 m2 15 20,607Removetrees(sitewide) 40 Nr 150 6,000Newhardpaving(centralsquare) 520 m2 90 46,800Newbollards 26 Nr 350 9,100

2.3 South/EastArea(fromMulti-sportsareatoLake)

Newgravelpaths 1,136 m2 30 34,080Newnaturalplayarea 2,100 m2 5 10,500Newplayequipment 1 Sum 20,000 20,000Newtrimtrails 5 Nr 5,000 25,000Newtrees 37 Nr 450 16,650Newornamentalplanting 13,933 m2 35 487,655Newmounds 1,492 m2 5 7,460Newpublicfurniture 1 Sum 5,000 5,000Newentrancehardpaving 910 m2 90 81,900

2.4 AreaSouthofBoatingCentre

Newenclosedswimmingbarrier 520 m2 400 208,000Newbeach 527 m2 100 52,700Newmeadow 4,651 m2 5 23,255Newpavingarea 1,400 m2 90 126,000Newreeds 2,000 m2 15 30,000Newfloatingboardwalk 70 m 2,000 140,000Newgrasspath 3,256 m2 5 16,280Newgravelpath 2,232 m2 30 66,960

2.5 South/WestArea

Newgravelpath 6,368 m2 30 191,040Newimprovedgravelentrance 238 m2 50 11,900Newswale 6,860 m2 3 20,580Newsocialspace 760 m2 100 76,027

May2017

ESTIMATE



MAYESBROOKPARKFEASIBILITYESTIMATE


May2017

ESTIMATE

Newplayground 1,742 m2 100 174,200Newplaygroundequipment 1 Sum 50,000 50,000Newornamentalplanting 1,781 m2 35 62,326Newmeadow 3,600 m2 5 18,000Newentrancehardpaving 760 m2 90 68,424Newlonggrass 880 m2 5 4,400Newreeds 2,578 m2 5 12,890Newviewingplatform 969 m2 250 242,250Newfloatingboardwalk 50 m 2,000 100,000Newhardpaving 1,638 m2 90 147,420Newtrees 21 Nr 450 9,450

2.5GeneralItems



LB Barking and Dagenham | Parks and Open Space Strategy | Technical Appendices and Evidence Base