Beam Parkland
About this good practice
Between 2009-2011, the Land Trust took over the site and transformed the area, recreating its primary role of flood protection: the park can store up to 45,000m3 of water. In addition to flood storage, the Land Trust and local authority wanted to provide a high-quality, multi-functional public space for the local population to stimulate regeneration of this area; the park provides recreation and education opportunities, enhances the local environment amenity, and contributes to the conservation of important habitats and wildlife. It is also part of the growing All London Green Grid. The footpaths and bridges have been designed to withstand flooding and the habitats present are able to cope with flood events.
The park was largely neglected in the 20thC due to a derelict smallpox hospital which closed in 1989. This area had become a magnet for anti-social behaviour and there were low levels of accessibility for some nearby communities.
The Land Trust is an independent Charitable Trust that manages open spaces on behalf of, and in partnership with, local communities. The Land Trust acquired Beam Parklands on a long-term lease from the former owners the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and the Environment Agency.
Expert opinion
This practice is in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, the Climate Adaptation Strategy and the Floods Directive. Itdemonstrates how an investment in green infrastructure brings economic, environmental and social benefits to the community. The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in the urban environment and green infrastructure can make cities more resilient to extreme weather events, control pollution, act as flood prevention measure. This inspiring project transformed a deprived area by restoring its original flood protection functions and turned it into a multi-functional public space. The good practice proved to be successful and gained recognition for the positive outcomes that it brought. An important feature of the project is the financial scheme that includes a blend of EU, private and national funds. The practice has high transferability potential and can be replicated in other urban areas interested in developing green infrastructure.
Resources needed
£250,000 Veolia Cleanaway Trust
£500,00 Environment Agency
£175,000 Big Lottery Fund Natural England ‘Access to Nature’ grant
Long term maintenance funded by an £1.9m endowment from the Homes and Communities Agency’s Parklands Allocation.
Evidence of success
570 homes/60 businesses protected
£600,000/yr iflood risk benefits
£800,000/yr benefits to local community
New bridge linking community
Crime reduction
1000+ residents at community events
500 children in educational activities
Local community involvement to create local asset
Extra 12 hectares for biodiversity
Winner of 2011 CIWEM Living Wetlands/Brownfield Awards
Natural capital account asset value £42m exceeding maintenance costs of £1m
Potential for learning or transfer
This exemplar of green infrastructure redevelopment shows how an area designated for flood storage purposes can be designed so that it also delivers biodiversity and community benefits, and can contribute to improving the social cohesion of an area. In this case, particularly noteworthy is how the creation of a new link between two previously-segregated communities has hugely improved social relations and reduced crime rates. This, and the reduced flood risk to neighbouring land, has increased the investment value of the area, bring immeasurable economic benefits
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
The Land Trust