Shadow Board Tour of Local Sites
This is the tour that the Shadow Board took of the local
area sites that Groundwork has been involved with. It was also an
opportunity to look at potential sites that may have the future
involvement of the Groundwork South Essex Trust.
Warrior Square
Warrior Square is a late Victorian Square which has recently
experienced noise and anti-social behaviour problems from day time
and night club alcohol users. The residents association has lobbied
numerous organisations for help. The Executive Director met the
Residents Association Representative, Southend Council and
Renaissance Southend to seek a way
forward.
Renaissance Southend have commissioned Urban Practioners (the
master planning consultants) and Whitelaw Turkington (Landscape
Architects) to draw-up designs for the square which can be
used as the basis of consultation and further
fundraising.
The Square is owned and managed by Southend Borough
Council.
Groundwork South Essex currently has a role as liaison
organisation with the local residents and may well manage future
consultations and fund-raising for the square.
Canvey Lake
Canvey Lake is a long drainage ditch or dyke which has been
widened to create a lake. At its eastern end it is surrounded by
housing and is effectively a 2km long linear park or ‘green
lung’. 
In past years it had problems of anti-social behaviour with
motorbikes driving along it. This was resolved when the fishing
club took a licence on the lake and its members policed the lake.
Now the lake is silting up and needs to be de-silted. De-silting is
expensive and will require the removal of substantial volumes of
silt which cannot be tipped locally.
Groundwork South Essex
could have roles in consulting with local people in what they want
from the green open space, in considering the management and
restoration of the lake, in fundraising for the future works.
The lake is managed by Castle Point Borough Council.
Northlands Park
The Mediterranean garden is part of a community gardening scheme
entitled ‘Greening the Grid’, which was delivered in
several locations within the South Essex Greengrid, co-ordinated by
Groundwork East of England. 
The project was supported by the East of England
Development Agency, with funding from the Department for
Communities and Local Government (formerly the office of the Deputy
Prime Minister). 
Match funding and staff time was also provided by Basildon
District Council, with seating funded by the Big Lottery Fund
through the Transforming Your Space scheme in
Basildon.
The project was managed by the Community Development
Officer for Northlands Park at Basildon District Council, Heather
Wood, in association with the 
community youth workers Marilyn Meaden and Claire Bridger,
who are responsible fro the Northlands Park Youth Council, and
Robert Baker the Area Officer for Basildon Parks. The designer
appointed for the project was Bella D’Arcy, of Paradeisos
– Gardens for People. Co-ordination between the parties was
undertaken by Peter Christmas, Programme Manager (South Essex)
– Groundwork East of England.
High House
High House is a collection of listed farm buildings including a
farm house, barn, stables, cart shed and dove cote. Bellways
Homes own the site and ownership will be passed to Thurrock Thames
Gateway Development Corporation.
The site includes a large field where the Royal Opera House
craft workshops will be housed. The vision for High House continues
and various proposals have been discussed including Community Farm,
Community uses, training and education venue and rentable office
space.
Groundwork’s role maybe as consultation agency with local
people, provider of volunteers to manage the site, or tenant in the
office space.
Vange
Vange is an example of the pockets of deprivation that are
found in South Essex. Other sites are the Curzon area, Southend,
Canvey Island, West Tilbury and South Ockendon.
Vange is the 4th most deprived ward in Essex. In terms of
educational achievement Vange rates as the 6th worse ward in the
Country. 
Like all the deprived areas across Thames Gateway South Essex,
Groundwork will work with the local communities, particularly
working with young people at risk of NEET or NET. We hope to have
active youth workers in these areas engaging with young people.
Additionally we would seek to consult with all age groups and
increase community engagement and volunteering.
Wat Tyler Country Park
Wat Tyler Country Park is managed by Basildon District Council. It
covers several hundred acres and houses the Motorboat museum,
the RSPB offices, a café, a miniature railway and a
large play area.
The site has been subject to a £5 million bid for a new
visitor’s centre and improved facilities, with EEDA, Heritage
Lottery and Veolia Cleanaway as the major funders.
Groundwork’s roles here could be as a provider of
volunteers, landscape consultants, community consultants assistance
or potential tenants.
Groundwork South Essex
Groundwork South Essex
Council Offices, Kiln Road
Thundersley, Benfleet
Essex SS7 1TF
