Green and Blue Infrastructure study shortlisted for Royal Town Planning Institute award

A ground-breaking strategy for South Essex that responds to the demands of climate change and balances the pressing needs for new housing and infrastructure with opportunities for nature recovery and biodiversity has been shortlisted for an award by the Royal Town Planning institute (RTPI).

The strategy is one of three shortlisted projects up for the Best Plan award in the East of England region.

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2022 celebrate outstanding plans, projects and people that demonstrate the power of planning. These awards highlight exceptional examples of how planning and planners have a positive impact on our quality of life in creating exceptional places and protecting our environment.

The South Essex Green and Blue Infrastructure Study was prepared for the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) by Alexandra Steed URBAN in collaboration with Jam Consult, Green Infrastructure Consultancy and Prior and Partners.

At its heart lies a vision for a better future for South Essex created through a rich tapestry of productive, connected and dynamic landscapes, woven together to form the South Essex Estuary Park (SEEPARK).

SEEPARK aims to provide a high-quality green space within 500 metres of every front door or workplace in South Essex, cycleways to connect every doorstep to the countryside and to work and a continuous coastal path stretching 70km from Tilbury Fort to Shoeburyness.

This ambitious project aims to create 23,000 hectares of protected and connected green space across South Essex by 2030, representing 30% of the South Essex landscape.

Design for a first phase of work on a coastal pathway from Coalhouse Fort to Stanford-le-Hope that would improve access for all, including walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and enhances the environment for community use and biodiversity has been completed.

The RTPI East of England award winners will be announced on 30 June 2022.