Inventory Site Record

Eastbrookend Country Park opened in 1995, created on an area of derelict land previously used for mineral extraction. It contained much inert landfill and was capped with clay, sand, gravel and topsoil in order to create the country park. As much of the original vegetation as possible was retained in order to sustain wildlife. Bisected by Dagenham Road, it lies in part of the Green Belt between LB Barking & Dagenham and LB Havering, and provides an important recreational resource for East London. There are 4 lakes, and the internal path system was designed by Land Use Consultants. In 1997 the Millennium Centre was built, its design demonstrating best practice in environmental construction. It provides an environmentally friendly visitor centre as well as the headquarters for the Park Ranger Service.

Site location:

The Chase, off Dagenham Road, Dagenham, Essex

Postcode:

RM7 0SS

What 3 Words:

fake.mugs.stroke

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Barking & Dagenham

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted to park. Millennium Centre: April-Sept 10am-5pm (weekends 1-5pm); Oct to March 10am-4pm (weekends 1-4pm)

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Millennium Centre; car parks

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Dagenham East; Dagenham Heathway (District). Bus: 174

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.lbbd.gov.uk

The park contains substantial areas of wet gravel pits that are rich in waterfowl and other wildlife, including nesting swans. In the reclamation of the site 70,000 trees were planted, including extensive planting of willow. The wetlands contain extensive reed beds and some of the old elm hedgerow from past agricultural use are retained, with small areas of oak also conserved. It is rich in wildflowers, such as Ox-eye Daisies and Yarrow, and Essex Beekeepers keep a number of hives on the site. It is also an important staging point for migrating birds. The park is an important centre for teaching landscape management skills such as hedge laying and pleaching to rejuvenate the hedgerows, and local groups and unemployed people have opportunities to participate. In addition to the conservation importance, the Park is important for its recreational facilities, with Kite Days introduced from 1996, which attracted 500 people to fly their kites here. The Millennium Centre houses educational displays that include an introduction to the history of the site, information on the design and construction of the building and environmentally themed educational displays. Friends of the Chase was formed in 2014.

Sources consulted:

Grid ref:

TQ509860 (550975,186021)

Size in hectares:

Site ownership:

LB Barking & Dagenham

Site management:

Date(s):

1995

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes

Green Belt:

Yes

Metropolitan Open Land:

Special Policy Area:

Other LA designation:

None