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Thames Gateway Essex : Cutting through the glossy brochures

Keith Farnish | 09.10.2003 15:56 | Ecology | Free Spaces | London | World

The Thames Gateway is a range of developments in Essex, Kent and East London that will mean an end to many of the remaining green spaces in this already damaged part of the UK.

A new website has been created which aims to give the public truthful and gloss-free information about one of the most wide ranging development schemes ever to hit Europe.

120,000 new houses, plus multiple retail, industrial and road developments could mean the end to the last few remaining green spaces in areas that are already awash with concrete and tarmac.

Considering that the houses are only being built, and the jobs (120-180,000) are being created in some of the richest parts of the UK, whilst poorer areas which desperately need jobs, and have thousands of homes lying derelict are being ignored, suggests that it is the property developers who are calling the shots.

The Essex Thames Gateway Information Group represents those people who would rather see targeted, affordable housing, refurbishment of existing empty homes, and jobs being created where they are really needed, rather than just creating another commuter zone.

The web site is updated regularly ( http://beehive.thisisessex.co.uk/thamesgateway), and the Group would be grateful if anyone with similar views could link to the website from their own.

Keith Farnish
- Homepage: http://beehive.thisisessex.co.uk/thamesgateway

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