Hornchurch Marshes

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Hornchurch Marshes
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Hornchurch Marshes
Location within Greater London
OS grid reference TQ 504821
•  Charing Cross 13.6 mi (21.9 km)  W
London borough
Ceremonial county Greater London
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town RAINHAM
Postcode district RM13
Dialling code 020
Police Metropolitan
Fire London
Ambulance London
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°31′05″N0°10′01″E / 51.518°N 0.167°E / 51.518; 0.167 Coordinates: 51°31′05″N0°10′01″E / 51.518°N 0.167°E / 51.518; 0.167

Hornchurch Marshes is an area of the London Borough of Havering, adjacent to the north bank of the River Thames in London, England. Susceptible to flooding from three adjacent rivers, it was the southernmost marshland section of the ancient parish of Hornchurch. It was used for cattle grazing in the 16th century and became industrialised by the 20th century. The eastern part of the Ford Dagenham estate extended into the Hornchurch Marshes and it is now an area of regeneration that includes Beam Reach and part of Beam Park. Two of the Dagenham wind turbines are located there and the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence.

Contents

History

Mostly unpopulated at the turn of the 19th century Hornchurch Marshes map 1888.png
Mostly unpopulated at the turn of the 19th century

The prehistoric vegetation was alnus carr woodland, sedge and grass swamp. [1]

The name is recorded as 'Markedich' around 1260 in Hornchurch Priory documents. Hornchurch Marshes were also known as Havering Marsh, reflecting Havering and Hornchurch occupying the same area from an early time. [2]

By the 16th century there were 500 or 600 acres of marshland adjacent to the River Thames in the south of the parish of Hornchurch, with around 100 acres as common land and the rest privately owned. [3] Used for cattle grazing, the marsh was bounded by three rivers and required constant attention to keep it from flooding. [4] Repairs following flooding in September 1621 were supervised by Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden. [3]

New Road was built at the northern limit of the marshes in 1810 by the Tilbury Turnpike Trust, to shorten the distance troops would have to travel to the Tilbury Fort during the Napoleonic War. [5] The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway was built through the north of the area in 1854 with the nearest station at Rainham. Waste arriving by barge from central London and dredging of the River Thames in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was disposed in the marshland and consequently the land is at risk of contamination. [6]

Romford Rural District Council was the local authority for the area from 1894. The council built the Riverside Sewage Treatment Works in 1924 to deal with sewage from Dagenham. Ownership passed to Dagenham Urban District Council when Hornchurch and Dagenham were split off from the rural district in 1926. The works were expanded in the 1960s by Dagenham Borough Council. [7] Hornchurch Marshes were part of Hornchurch Urban District from 1926 to 1965.

In the 1950s a foundry was built as part of the Ford Dagenham plant land in Hornchurch, covering 200 acres. The area was flooded during the North Sea flood of 1953. [8] Land ownership consolidated as the marshes industrialised, with the Ford Motor Company and the Greater London Council, who now operated the sewage works, owning most of the land in the early 1970s. [9] It became an area of regeneration by the early 21st century and was included in the London Riverside section of the Thames Gateway redevelopment zone. Local planning powers were held by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation from 2004 to 2013.

Geography

The area is bounded by the River Ingrebourne to the east, the River Thames to the south and River Beam to the west. In the north the A1306 New Road marks the beginning of the residential area of South Hornchurch. It is the location of two of the Dagenham wind turbines. Frog Island is located at the southeastern extremity.

Extending into Dagenham is the new residential neighbourhood of Beam Park to the northwest. South of there is the Beam Reach commercial regeneration area and the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME). To the east is the town of Rainham and the Rainham Marshes. The Hornchurch Marshes and most of South Hornchurch form part of the Rainham post town for postal addresses.

The area is vulnerable to tidal flooding from the River Thames should an extreme flood event occur. Aside from the boundary rivers there are a number of smaller watercourses, including Pooles Sewer and the Havering New Sewer, that ultimately flow into the Thames at Havering Sluice. The Beam and Ingrebourne are also protected from tidal flooding by Beam Sluice and Frog Island Sluice at their outfall. Sections of Thames tidal defence walls also provide flood mitigation. [8]

Economy

The Greater London Authority has designated the whole area as a strategic industrial location, where proposals for development should not compromise accommodating industrial activities. The Fairview Industrial Estate is occupied by over 100 businesses. [10] The area, with the exception of land owned by the Ford Motor Company, is part of the London Riverside business improvement district.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hornchurch</span> Town in east London, England

Hornchurch is a suburban town in East London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. It is located 15.2 miles (24.5 km) east-northeast of Charing Cross. It comprises a number of shopping streets and a large residential area. It historically formed a large ancient parish in the county of Essex that became the manor and liberty of Havering. The economic history of Hornchurch is underpinned by a shift away from agriculture to other industries with the growing significance of nearby Romford as a market town and centre of administration. As part of the suburban growth of London in the 20th century, Hornchurch significantly expanded and increased in population, becoming an urban district in 1926 and has formed part of Greater London since 1965. It is the location of Queen's Theatre, Havering Sixth Form College and Havering College of Further and Higher Education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romford</span> Town in London, England

Romford is a large town in east London and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Havering. It is located 14.1 miles (22.7 km) northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. Historically, Romford was a market town in the county of Essex, and formed the administrative centre of the liberty of Havering before that liberty was dissolved in 1892. Good road links to London and the opening of the railway station in 1839 were key to the development of the town. The economic history of Romford is characterised by a shift from agriculture to light industry and then to retail and commerce. As part of the suburban growth of London throughout the 20th century, Romford significantly expanded and increased in population, becoming a municipal borough in 1937 and was incorporated into Greater London in 1965. Today, it is one of the largest commercial, retail, entertainment and leisure districts in London and has a well-developed night-time economy as well. Its population, as of 2011, was 122,854.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Borough of Havering</span> London borough in United Kingdom

The London Borough of Havering in East London, England, forms part of Outer London. It has a population of 259,552 inhabitants; the principal town is Romford, while other communities are Hornchurch, Upminster, Collier Row and Rainham. The borough is mainly suburban, with large areas of protected open space. Romford is a major retail and night time entertainment centre, and to the south the borough extends into the London Riverside redevelopment area of the Thames Gateway. The name Havering is a reference to the Royal Liberty of Havering which occupied the area for several centuries. The local authority is Havering London Borough Council. It is the easternmost London borough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elm Park</span> Human settlement in England

Elm Park is a suburban planned community in East London within the London Borough of Havering. Located 14.3 miles (23.0 km) east-northeast of Charing Cross, it is identified as a district centre in the London Plan with several streets of shops and a priority for regeneration. Prior to the construction of the extensive Elm Park Garden City development in the 1930s it was a scattered settlement of farms in the south of the parish of Hornchurch. Elm Park has been connected to central London by the electrified District line service since 1935 and the planned development of the area formed part of the interwar private housing boom that was interrupted by World War II. After the war Elm Park expanded with social housing and it has formed part of Greater London since 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dagenham</span> Human settlement to the east of London, England

Dagenham is a town in East London, England, within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Dagenham is centred 11.5 miles (18.5 km) east of Charing Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barking, London</span> Human settlement in England

Barking is a suburb and area in Greater London, within the Borough of Barking and Dagenham. It is 9.3 miles (15 km) east of Charing Cross. The total population of Barking was 59,068 at the 2011 census. In addition to an extensive and fairly low-density residential area, the town centre forms a large retail and commercial district, currently a focus for regeneration. The former industrial lands to the south are being redeveloped as Barking Riverside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Liberty of Havering</span> Medieval jurisdiction in England

Havering, also known as Havering-atte-Bower, was a royal manor and ancient liberty whose area now forms part of, and gives its name to, the London Borough of Havering in Greater London. The manor was in the possession of the Crown from the 11th to the 19th centuries and was the location of Havering Palace from the 13th to the late 17th century. It occupied the same area as the ancient parish of Hornchurch which was divided into the three chapelries of Havering, Hornchurch and Romford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East London</span> Northeastern part of London, United Kingdom

East London refers to the part of London, England, east of the ancient City of London and north of the River Thames. It consists of areas in the historic counties of Essex and Middlesex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Riverside</span>

The London Riverside is a redevelopment area on the north side of the River Thames in East London, England and part of the larger Thames Gateway redevelopment zone. The London Riverside area forms part of the Green Enterprise District, a project to create a low-carbon economy region in Greater London. Land available for redevelopment is owned by GLA Land and Property. From 2004 to 2013 the redevelopment of London Riverside and the Lower Lea Valley was the responsibility of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. There is also a London Riverside business improvement district which covers a smaller area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thames Chase</span>

Thames Chase is a community forest of 9842 hectares located in 47 sites in London and Essex, England. Its stated aim is "to renew and regenerate the landscape at the edge of East London and South Essex by creating Thames Chase, the Community Forest: a varied wooded landscape for local people to influence, create, use, enjoy and cherish".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beam Reach</span>

Beam Reach is a redevelopment area in London, England and part of the London Riverside section of the Thames Gateway. It is an industrial area adjacent to the new neighbourhood of Beam Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hornchurch Urban District</span>

Hornchurch was a local government district in southwest Essex from 1926 to 1965, formed as an urban district for the civil parish of Hornchurch. It was greatly expanded in 1934 with the addition of Cranham, Great Warley, Rainham, Upminster and Wennington; and in 1935 by gaining North Ockendon. Hornchurch Urban District Council was based at Langtons House in Hornchurch from 1929. The district formed a suburb of London and with a population peaking at 131,014 in 1961, it was one of the largest districts of its type in England. It now forms the greater part of the London Borough of Havering in Greater London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Hornchurch</span> Human settlement in England

South Hornchurch is a locality to the south of Hornchurch in London Borough of Havering, east London. It is a suburban development situated 13.6 miles (21.8 km) east of Charing Cross. The area is a relatively recent addition, compared with the more mature suburbs in Havering. It was built on open farmland and the former site of RAF Hornchurch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Rom</span> River in England

The River Rom, also known as the River Beam below its confluence with the Ravensbourne, is a tributary of the River Thames in England that flows through east London suburbs surrounding the metropolitan centre of Romford, part of it forming a section of the boundary between the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Havering. The Rom is culverted for a brief midsection as it passes through the centre of Romford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dagenham wind turbines</span>

The Dagenham wind turbines are two 85-metre (279 ft) high Enercon E-66 and one E-82 wind turbines located on the Dagenham estate of the Ford Motor Company in East London, England. The first two turbines were completed in April 2004 and the third was installed in 2011. They are landmarks of the skyline and the first wind farm to be built in London.

Beam Park is a new neighbourhood in the south of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and the London Borough of Havering. It is named after the River Beam which forms the boundary between the boroughs. It will be served by Beam Park railway station in Havering. 2899 homes are planned, with 2166 in Barking and Dagenham and 733 in Havering. It will include a town centre in the Havering part of the development. It covers an area of 29 hectares. It previously formed part of the Ford Dagenham plant site. The development is a joint venture between London and Quadrant and Countryside Properties. Planning consent was given in September 2018 and construction began in May 2019. It is part of the London Riverside opportunity area and is designated as a housing zone by the Greater London Authority.

The Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) is a not-for-profit education and skills organisation at Rainham, London in the London Borough of Havering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rainham, London</span> Suburban town on the outskirts of east London, England

Rainham is a suburb of East London, England, in the London Borough of Havering. Historically an ancient parish in the county of Essex, Rainham is 13.6 miles (21.9 km) east of Charing Cross and is surrounded by a residential area, which has grown from the historic village, to the north and a commercial area, fronting the River Thames, to the south. As part of the suburban growth of London in the 20th century, Rainham significantly expanded and increased in population, becoming part of Hornchurch Urban District in 1934, and has formed part of Greater London since 1965. The economic history of Rainham is underpinned by a shift from agriculture to industry and manufacture and is now in a period of regeneration, coming within the London Riverside section of the Thames Gateway redevelopment area.

Public transport in the London Borough of Havering, in east London, England, is a mix of National Rail, London Underground, London Overground and Crossrail and London Buses services. Rail services are primarily radial to central London with bus services providing most of the orbital connections. The public transport authority is Transport for London and the local authority is Havering London Borough Council.

Orchard Village, formerly known as the Mardyke Estate, is a housing development in the South Hornchurch area of London, England.

References

  1. ↑ Branch, Nicholas & Batchelor, Christopher & Cameron, Nigel & Coope, G. & Densem, Robin & Gale, Rowena & Green, Christopher & Williams, Alan. (2012). Holocene environmental changes in the Lower Thames Valley, London, UK: Implications for understanding the history of Taxus woodland. The Holocene. 22. 1143-1158. 10.1177/0959683612441805.
  2. ↑ "Survey of English Place-Names:Hornchurch Marshes" . Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 McIntosh, Marjorie (2002). The Manor and Liberty of Havering-atte-Bower 1500-1620.
  4. ↑ McIntosh, Marjorie (2002). Autonomy and Community: The Royal Manor of Havering, 1200-1500.
  5. ↑ "The Beam Parkway Linear Park" . Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy" (PDF). Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  7. ↑ Proceedings. (1969). United Kingdom: Institution of Civil Engineers.
  8. 1 2 "Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Update: Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment" (PDF). 21 November 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  9. ↑ "Hornchurch: Economic history and local government | British History Online". british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  10. ↑ "Estate Plan" . Retrieved 1 January 2023.
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