London Borough of Barking and Dagenham POSS Review

Arkwood have been commissioned by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) to develop a review of our Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (POSS) that we completed in 2017. Much has changed since the strategy was completed, including the implementation of the Environment Act which includes measures to support biodiversity through the planning process and emphasises the need to plan for nature recovery. This enabled the council to bring about tangible change since 2017, providing them with the evidence needed to secure £24m investment in parks and open spaces across the borough. A new Local Plan has been published which focuses on tackling climate change, bringing healthy new town principles to Barking and Dagenham and focused development areas bringing about increased population growth.

The POSS Review will assess the quantity, quality and accessibility of existing greenspaces and play and identify areas with deficits in provision and provide a delivery plan to support the continued excellent work in Barking and Dagenham’s parks and playgrounds over the next ten years.

Client and Contract Period

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

February 2024 – Ongoing

Project Objectives

Arkwood are currently working with LBBD on developing a Parks and Open Spaces Strategy Review that will encapsulate a plan for the whole borough, supported by research, analysis, audit, and engagement. Our strategy includes an updated needs assessment reflecting the changes to the international, national, regional and local drivers for green infrastructure policy and strategy, and the borough’s greenspaces since 2017. A Natural Capital Account will valuate ecosystem services for health and wellbeing, leisure and amenity, carbon sequestration, and air quality moderation.

Greenspace has improved since our 2017 strategy but the population has increased. The strategy will support the Council in managing, maintaining and investing in greenspaces for a growing and changing borough.

Issues, Challenges, and Outcomes

With the Covid 19 pandemic recalibrating our collective understanding of the significance of greenspace, our work will set out methods to improve the quality of greenspace in Barking and Dagenham. Parks visits increased by 160% during the Covid pandemic, and although they have dropped since then, visits remain higher than beforehand. Our awareness of the impact that access to greenspace has on mental health has become more widely understood and ensuring that people have adequate access to good quality greenspace is at the heart of this strategy.

Although use of public space has increased, overall satisfaction with public parks and open spaces in Barking & Dagenham has declined. We are conducting consultations in the borough to ascertain what residents would like to change about their public spaces.

Services