Beckton Parks

On Tuesday 30 January 2024 Newham Council Cabinet approved the Beckton Parks Masterplan, one of the most ambitious urban green space projects in London.

As the individual schemes within the Beckton Park Masterplan are delivered it will create a gold standard green space that will benefit everyone living and working in Beckton and Custom House wards and in Newham as a whole.

The Beckton Parks Masterplan area covers approximately (36 hectares) and two Council wards (Beckton & Custom House). Locations within the scope of the Masterplan are Beckton District Park (North and South), New Beckton Park, Beckton Corridor, the former Newham City Farm site and King George V Park and include a variety of leisure and community facilities as well as community growing and designated Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation.

While Beckton Parks are currently well used by residents and the community, areas of the Parks have been under-utilised and amenities across the Parks require investment and rejuvenation. The Masterplan aims to ensure that the Parks fulfil their potential to be a major asset for the borough, used by all residents across the borough as well as visitors to Newham.

The Council cannot commit to specified timeframes as further funding is required to support the delivery of each aspect of the plan. The Masterplan will be used to unlock external funding and inform the detail of future capital and/or revenue funding decisions that the Council makes over time.

The scope of the Masterplan is wide, some highlights include:

A new Community Farm with Green Skills Hub: The Masterplan proposes that the former Newham City Farm site is redesigned to create a new community farm with green skills hub. An operator is currently being sought to take on management of the new offer.

Boat House Café, Ecological Lake and Lido: The Masterplan proposes significant enhancements to the lake in the North of the parks, steps are being taken to reset the ecology to support new wildlife by creating softer edges and supporting valuable biodiversity. Improvements over time will also include redevelopment of the existing buildings to create a café, toilets and indoor play space.

Will Thorne Pavilion and Sports Hub: Will Thorne Pavilion is currently being refurbished to deliver improved facilities including community halls, accessible toilet facilities and a café. The building will serve as a central hub for the network of parks, attracting walkers, cyclists, dog walkers and families following the nature and play trails. The 5k Parkrun route has been formalised. Improvements will be also made to the existing football pitches. New pathways will improve accessibility and planting schemes around facilities will present opportunities for improved biodiversity.

Improved safety, walking and cycling: Residents have told us that considerations of safety were a priority, so key routes around the parks will be illuminated and include CCTV. Traffic calming measures and improved pedestrian crossings are planned for Stansted Road designed to transform the road which currently divides the parks into a road that sits within the park.

For full detail please download the Beckton Parks Masterplan Reports listed below or visit here to view within the cabinet agenda:

Significant work has and is being undertaken by the Council to deliver Beckton Park Masterplan and it has already attracted investment.

Current updates on the projects that are currently progressing:

Will Thorne Pavillion and the Sports Hub - Project: Will Thorne Pavilion |
Newham City Farm and Green Skills Hub - Project: Newham Community Farm and Green Skills Hub |
Installation of a Sculpture focused on play - Project: The installation of Alphabet |
Beckton South Multi-use Games Offer - Beckton Parks Sports and Leisure Hub – Newham Council

Projects that are complete include:

Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway - Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway – Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway – Newham Council
Beckton Meadows - Beckton Meadows – Newham Council
Beckton South Playground - Project: Beckton District Park South Play Area Opening |

To understand more about how the masterplan was co-designed with residents please visit the co-create page www.newham.gov.uk/becktonparksmasterplan.