FAQ's

Where is Thames Gateway South Essex?

Thames Gateway South Essex is an extension of the original Thames Gateway which was designated by the Government in 1995. New Regional Planning Guidance for the South East, published by the Government in March 2001, confirmed the extension of Thames Gateway into south Essex to include more of Thurrock, part of Basildon (including Basildon New Town), the boroughs of Castle Point and Southend, and a small part of Rochford. The outer limits of the boundaries are not strictly defined but are roughly demarcated by the A127 and Thames Estuary in the north and south, while the airport at Rochford and Dartford Crossing in Thurrock cover the respective east and west boundaries.

What is the Sustainable Communities initiative?

The Partnership is committed to creating sustainable communities in south Essex. In 2003 the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott published Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future , a new long-term action plan for tackling housing shortage in the southeast, while addressing a broad range of economic and environmental issues. The plan identifies Thames Gateway as one of four key growth areas, and sets out the Government's commitment to help partners in south Essex maximise the success of the region through a programme of economic and social regeneration, brownfield development, environmental improvement and urban renewal.

What's being done to create Sustainable Communities in south Essex?

Over £446m of government money will be spent on creating sustainable communities across the whole of the Thames Gateway in the next three years alone. In July 2003 local partners in Thames Gateway South Essex secured ODPM funding from that figure of £91.7m, with the potential for a further £36.5m. The package comes in response to an application submitted by the local partners based on projects identified in the strategic framework, Delivering the Future, and will be used to:

Bring forward sites for development

Deliver employment growth alongside affordable housing

Assist development of brownfield sites

Support the renewal of housing estates

Improve town centres

Enhance the local environment

What makes a Sustainable Community?

Social and cultural vibrant, harmonious and inclusive communities

Environmental good quality public space and natural environment

Housing and the built environment a quality built environment

Transport and connectivity good transport services and communication linking people to jobs, schools, health and other services.

Economy flourishing and diverse local economy

Services full range of appropriate, accessible public, private, community and voluntary services

Governance,effective and inclusive participation, representation and leadership.

What is the Green Grid South Essex?

Green Grid South Essex is a long-term project to develop a network of open spaces and green links throughout Thames Gateway South Essex. Working with government agencies and local environmental organisations, like English Nature, the Forestry Commission and Countryside Agency, partners in the programme aim to:

Conserve and enhance existing green space and links

Create high quality new green space and links in areas of opportunity and need

Create a sense of place through enhancement of landscape character and heritage

Embrace diversity of wildlife habitats and landscapes in town and countryside

An information leaflet on the Green Grid South Essex is available in the downloads section or see Greening the Gateway on the ODPM website.