Ripple Nature Reserve Masterplan

Ripple Nature Reserve is a Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (MSINC) located in the borough of Barking & Dagenham. Much of the soil surrounding the site is acidic, as it is in most of London, but Ripple has a more alkaline pH due to the historic deposition of fuel ash from the adjacent coal fire power station, meaning that it can sustain more unusual plants and other wildlife. Ripple has been closed to the public for just over a decade because of safety concerns which has meant that surrounding residents have lost access to this vital resource, but this has allowed the site to become increasingly ecologically rich. We have been commissioned by the council to create a masterplan for the site, focusing on access for the benefit of the local community and management of the varied habitats across the site.

Client and Contract Period

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council

2024 – Ongoing

Project Objectives

The Council’s recent declaration of a climate emergency sits at the heart of the Borough’s ambition to be the ‘green capital of the capital’. In recognition of both climate and ecological emergencies the council aims to reopen this public space as it will provide huge benefits including sustainable transport links, health and well-being, biodiversity, education and strengthened character of the area.

Core objectives are to create a masterplan and management plan for the site that respects the special biodiversity of the site whilst allowing safe public access through the creation of new paths and signage, welcoming entrances, spaces for learning, alongside the long term stewardship of the site.

Located at the heart of both existing communities and the new communities of Barking Riverside, stakeholder engagement is therefore a critical requirement of the project.

Issues, Challenges and Outcomes

With community engagement and co-design being an important aspect of the project, social value will be at the forefront of the Ripple Nature Reserve plan, where we will create a high quality and inclusive hub with increased biodiversity conservation, nature trails and environmental education, volunteering opportunities and improved amenities and infrastructure. We will conduct workshops in community settings to find out what is important to the community and see what Ripple Nature Reserve may look like and how it can serve the needs of local people and wildlife.

Due to the nature of Ripple, there is a potential for contamination due to fuel ash and other deposits from the site’s history as a coal fire power station. Invasive species such as buddleia and giant hogweed require control and have colonised parts of the site, with hogweed also being a health hazard. Mosaic habitats are an effective solution that we are proposing to implement to solve this issue as they should aid in out-competing invasive species, therefore being a part of habitat restoration.

As with much of London, Barking and Dagenham is vulnerable to flooding. Allowing space for water to ease local flooding pressures will be implemented on site, creating ephemeral ponds that will in turn help to restore areas of wetland habitat on site. The site has many steep slopes and wet areas that hinder the creation of accessible paths. Options include the construction of boardwalks to enable access to nature whilst reducing the impact of footfall in sensitive areas of the site. As this site is still being designed to serve local residents of Barking and Dagenham, finding solutions to ensure that everybody can enjoy the site once it has reopened will be a key feature of the new masterplan design.

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