Terry Farrell criticises government's Thames Gateway plans

Terry Farrell warned Thames Gateway bosses of being 'too target obsessed'

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Terry Farrell has warned the governing bodies in control of the Thames Gateway that their method of regenerating the region is 'wrong'.

Farrell, who unveiled his parklands proposals for the Thames Gateway today, also told the AJ that the major stakeholders in the regeneration project are 'too target obsessed'.

He said: 'The whole of the regeneration of the Gateway has been set on the wrong basis. The number of jobs created, the number of houses – these are all things that are beyond their control. That's not a plan.

'The government was relying on the private sector. What the government needs to do is set the leadership, which the private sector can then respond to.' 

Peter Andrews, chief executive of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC), a major stakeholders in the Thames Gateway, said he was 'concerned' by Farrell's view.

'We have to have targets; we have to report outputs and outcomes to government,' he said.

'I can understand, certainly in the current financial climate, where Terry is coming from, but we have to know where the houses are going to go, and how many there will be... We are not projecting housing and employment targets for the next couple of years, but for the next 25.'

A Communities and Local Government spokesman said: 'For a project of this size it's essential we have a clear strategy to ensure progress is actually being made.'

Terry Farrell's parkland's masterplan

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The key points of the Parklands vision are:

Water Parklands: to reveal lost tributaries, improve wetlands, revive under-used docks, canals, piers, promenades and waterfronts, and provide new river connections.

Community Parklands: to improve access to green and open spaces in the Thames Estuary and to open spaces to connect communities together. This could include creating pedestrian and cycle links, and setting aside areas for cultural and sporting activities.

Urban Parklands: to improve the public realm and create public spaces in urban areas, such as promenades, river walkways, squares, play areas and "urban beaches".

Parklands Historic Environment: to regenerate historical and cultural sites to help give a clear identity to each community in the Thames estuary region.

A Connected Parklands Landscape: to connect open and green spaces together to create a continuous green link based on plans for Green Grids through East London, South Essex and North Kent, and to connect communities to each other and open spaces. This will include further development of the Thames Estuary Path.

Agriculture as Parklands: to appreciate agricultural landscapes, enhance biodiversity and provide opportunities for local food production.

Parklands and the eco-region: to use Parklands to help the Gateway become the UK's first eco-region by encouraging local food and material production, natural drainage, reduced car use and sustainable transport links.