A new blueprint for protecting green spaces in the Thames Gateway, released as part of a package for green spaces across the country, was announced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday.

'Greening the Gateway' outlines the government's vision for ensuring that publicly accessible green spaces are integrated into plans to develop the Gateway.

This network of urban parks, woodland, meadows, wetlands and farming countryside will enhance the quality of life of those living and working in the Gateway, and ensure the internationally important landscape heritage is safeguarded.

The strategy makes it clear that the green space must also be multi-functional, in order to contribute to healthy living, sustainable flood protection, air pollution filtration, environmental education and community participation, in the Gateway.

£14 million of government funding has already been allocated to kickstart 'Greening the Gateway', including £2 million for Rainham Marshes, where planned works led by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), will create a flagship ecological and leisure resource within reach of millions of people.

Launching the ODPM and Defra strategy at Rainham Marshes, London Riverside, Keith Hill, Minister for London, said:

"Our plan to create sustainable communities where people want to live will take much more than bricks and mortar. It's also about maintaining and enhancing the greenspace that plays such an important role in our quality of life; the parks, woodland and countryside that help create a positive sense of pride and place.”

"We want the Thames Gateway to become a world-class model of sustainable development, with the living landscape at its heart. The new network of green space will be vital in shaping the sustainable regeneration of existing and new communities in the Gateway.”

"That vision can only be delivered through the activities of a wide partnership involving local councils, government agencies, voluntary and community organisations and the private sector.”

"Today's announcement shows we are avoiding the suburban sprawl of the past, and are committed to combining economic growth with environmental enhancement."

Defra Minister Alun Michael said: “Greening the Gateway' sets out a comprehensive vision of the multi-functional role of greenspace in one of the most dynamic regional landscapes in Europe.”

“It clearly establishes greenspace management as one of the Government's key tools for achieving truly sustainable development in the Thames Gateway.”

“The challenge now is how to deliver this vision. Defra will continue to work closely with ODPM and the wide range of interested stakeholders, including Defra's agencies, to turn the vision into reality.”

Chris Corrigan, RSPB regional director for London and the South East, said: "The RSPB supports the Government’s determination to integrate economic growth with environmental enhancement.”

“The recognition of the role of a healthy and attractive environment in achieving sustainable development is highly commendable – particularly the emphasis given to protecting the Gateway’s nationally and internationally important wildlife sites.”

“We now look forward to seeing these principles adopted and taken forward in the detailed planning of the Thames Gateway.”

Sir Terry Farrell, award winning architect and urban designer, said "The Greenspace strategy establishes the role of the landscape as the primary infrastructure in the creation of a world class environment which will attract people and business."