News
Kelly unveils new Rainham Bird Centre
13th November 2006
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly highlighted the Government's commitment to quality green spaces, well designed homes and strong leadership in the Thames Gateway today, and welcomed Judith Armitt to her first public engagement as new chief executive.
The announcement came as she and Bill Oddie, broadcaster and ornithologist, jointly opened a new RSPB visitor and educational centre at Rainham Marshes in Essex.
The RSPB centre provides outstanding views for visitors and schoolchildren across the marshes and River Thames and is an example of the environmental emphasis that will be outlined in the forthcoming Thames Gateway Strategic Vision. It has been built to the highest environmental standards, with features that include solar panels, rainwater harvesting, natural light and ventilation and a ground source heat exchange system. Entrance to the centre is free for local residents.
Birds that can be seen all year round from the centre include a range of water birds like redshanks and lapwings. The occasional peregrine may also be seen as well as water voles, a wide variety of insects and wetland plants. The centre has received nearly £1m as part of a total £26m of Government investment on local environment projects in the Thames Gateway.
Judith Armitt has been appointed as Thames Gateway chief executive to provide stronger and more visible leadership for the Gateway, and promote engagement by central and regional government, agencies, local organisations and private sector investors.
Ruth Kelly said: "The Thames Gateway is about much more than new jobs and homes, we also want to see quality green spaces like this fantastic RSPB centre for people to enjoy, high design standards for new homes and strong visible leadership. Later this month I will set out our commitment to a new network of parklands and our aim for the Gateway to become an exemplar for low and zero carbon development.
"I am also delighted to have Judith on board. We need a strengthened focus on leadership on the ground and good co-ordination of a complex network of partners. Her appointment is key to ensuring that there is a clearer joint direction as we move forward, and her proven track record of leadership and delivery will bring valuable skills and experience to this new role."
Judith Armitt said: "My role will give strategic leaderhsip and vision to the Thames Gateway Programme and engage the key individuals and organisations involved. This is an exciting time for the Thames Gateway with a unique opportunity to create the sort of communities in which we all want to live, work and invest in. I look forward to taking on that challenge so that we can ensure we deliver the jobs, homes, infrastructure and green spaces that are needed."
Later this month Ruth Kelly will announce a commitment to a network of quality green spaces that build on existing environmental projects for local people to access and enjoy. The commitment is in line with Sir Terry Farrell's ideas about linking up the parklands, green spaces and natural wetlands along the estuary to improve the local environment.
The announcement is part of the Thames Gateway Interim Strategic Framework and will also include measures to raise the design standards of new homes and an update on a carbon neutral feasibility study that was commissioned earlier this year.
Source: Department for Communities and Local Government
