Following on from the successful 2017 Public Open Spaces Strategy for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, we have started a review of this strategy, as much has changed since we completed this study. The Environment Act came into force in 2021 and includes measures to support biodiversity net gain through the planning process and emphasises the need to plan for nature recovery. The National Planning Policy Framework has been updated, new iterations of the London Plan have been published, as well as a new Local Plan adopted by Barking and Dagenham. The development of the Borough continues apace driven by an Inclusive Growth Plan.
Even four years later, the COVID 19 Pandemic still influences how we all view and use public green space. In 2020, use of parks and opens spaces went up by 160% in London, and although this has now decreased slightly, it is still considerably higher than prior to the pandemic, and conditions of spaces have been impacted as a result. Alongside the global recognition of the importance of biodiversity and ecological practice, attitudes toward parks have changed and the new updated strategy needs to reflect that.
While the quality and condition of basic infrastructure and the variety of service offers in parks remain significant, the climate and biodiversity emergencies are almost always the predominant issues raised by the public in consultations that we conduct. The programme for this strategy review will give us ample opportunity to engage with residents and stakeholders following the general election and with a thorough consultation process planned, we are excited to hear what the communities of Barking and Dagenham think about their public open spaces, parks, and playgrounds.