Sir Terry Farrell has unveiled plans to create the “world’s first purpose-built and entirely sustainable” National Park in the Thames Gateway.
The leading architect called on the government and the private sector to take forward the plans, which would create a new connection across the Thames Estuary linking Essex and Kent, claiming it was the “best response to economic decline in east London, South Essex and North Kent”.
Farrell’s proposals follow comments at the weekend in which he called for the government to dramatically increase the number of homes that will be built in the region.
Farrell said: “It is not good enough to simply state that the Thames Gateway will be meeting the housing shortage on brownfield land.
“New housing would clearly be better situated near existing infrastructure (rail, water and power networks) with the obvious choice being the presently neglected area between the East End and Dartford.”
He added that the creation of an adjoining National Park would make the Thames Gateway a “special place where urban London co-exists harmoniously with rural Kent and Essex” in a location that championed the “world’s first truly sustainable eco-region”.
In particular, Farrell said the Park would be essential in future-proofing the capital against the growing threat of climate change, rising sea levels and aridity by employing new kinds of landscape and agriculture as well as harnessing Tidal Wave Power and bio-crops for energy creation.
Farrell said that last month a multi-disciplinary group comprising Farrells, Battle McCarthy, Biodiversity by Design, Experian, HBOS (Halifax and Bank of Scotland), EC Harris, Future Foundation and Scott Wilson had joined forces to take the proposals forward at an all-parliamentary presentation and discussion on the future of the Thames Gateway.
Farrell said that, in order to be developed, the “widely supported concept” now needed funding and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
References: EGi News 27/07/06
