Newham GWI Strategy

London Borough of Newham

2022-2024

In May 2022, Arkwood, in partnership with London Wildlife Trust, were appointed by the London Borough of Newham to produce a GWI Strategy. The Strategy covers the whole of the Borough, including some of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which is currently managed by the London Legacy Development Corporation. This strategy is composed of in-depth research into the ecosystem services that are currently present in the borough and setting out methods to create, improve and manage the existing green and blue space.   Newham is so densely developed that opportunities for creation of new green space and water infrastructure are limited. Part of our strategy involves establishing better connections between a variety of existing green and water infrastructure assets to increase accessibility. Connected sites will provide direct opportunities for play and food growing, support local distinctiveness, link core habitats, provide wildlife corridors and encourage cycling and walking. For some green infrastructure assets (e.g. SINCs and natural/semi-natural landscapes), the emphasis is on enhancing biodiversity and ecological resilience and planning for climate change through building resilience. Parks support a greater variety of functions and the extent of ‘offers’ to users is usually a function of the size of the park.

Newham faces challenge with respect to population growth and intensification of development whilst also having a deficiency of open space across parts of the Borough. Open space covers 25% of Newham although a significant amount of this is open water; just 7% of the Borough is accessible green space. Planning for adequate biodiverse planting, street trees, Sustainable Drainage Systems, connectivity, and parks and open spaces will therefore be some essential factors to providing positive health benefits for the borough’s residents as higher density housing begins to take up a higher proportion of available space. As the population grows it will put increasing pressure on Newham’s existing green and water spaces, which need to be able to adapt to increased demand and local need. As level of use increases, the condition of assets can be reduced and it is therefore embedded in the GWI Strategy to identify ways of maintaining the quality and condition.  The GWI Strategy aims to address and balance the aims and objectives of national, regional and local policy to support the protection, enhancement and delivery of green and water spaces. Such spaces are integral to achieving and maintaining sustainable and inclusive communities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, public green spaces were crucial for maintaining physical and mental health during lockdowns. People with access to public or private green spaces reported better health and wellbeing during and after the first lockdown. This highlights the importance of access to greenspace that persists even after the pandemic.  

The quality and condition of green and water infrastructure is directly linked to the amount of benefits they provide to users and residents. A poorly maintained park that is perceived of as being unsafe or in poor condition will be used less than a well-equipped and well-maintained space. This means that people living in the vicinity of a poor-quality or condition park will be less likely to enjoy the health benefits that it could provide to them. Understanding the quality of Newham’s green and water infrastructure was therefore important in identifying focus areas in the strategy including encouraging a greater use and enjoyment of green and water spaces.

• Green Infrastructure Strategy

• Mapping

• Landscape Strategy