Building work is now starting on phase 1B, the area nearest the Hive estate. In November 2021 EDC gave planning permission for the 121 new homes including affordable homes arranged around the upgraded Chimney View Park play area and the land between Hive Lane and the Tarmac road.  There will be houses which will be two, three and four bedroomed properties and also one and two bedroom apartments. 176 parking spaces will be provided and there will be new roads linking the homes around the development with landscaping. Its hoped the first residents will move in at the end of 2022.

The new Chimney View play park will open as quickly as possible.  This is likely to be around spring 2023, but could be sooner. Around 50 local children submitted entries in a competition to help design the new Chimney View play park. They filled in surveys explaining their favourite games and activities and completed plans showing how they wanted the park to be set out so they can have the most fun. Many drew pictures of their designs as well. 

Letter to non winners
Library collage

Bellway’s experts were influenced in the design of Chimney View Park by key themes running through the children’s ideas such as swings, climbing structures and spinning elements.  The hard games area (MUGA) has been located close to the Hive along with a food growing area and picnic tables looking out across the park. These were featured in winning entries.

Landscape proposal for Chimney View Park

The play area is terraced with equipment picking up on the large tower at the top of the site to take advantage of the views across the Thames and a tube slide back down into the site. A smaller climbing structure for younger children links into a play trail with climbing and balancing elements between areas of planting with both structures surrounded by swings, a see-saw and a wheelchair inclusive roundabout.

Cross sections showing Chimney View Parks design

The need for planting was also picked up in the entries particularly with a focus on flowering species and new trees. A rich mix will attract a range of insects and birds while providing colour through the seasons. This is supported by a palette of new tree planting with some of the existing trees retained along the Southern boundary.

A careful tree planting strategy has been devised for the residential streets. These will include new trees that will border existing properties.

Phase 1b also includes the new pedestrian footbridge, which will go over the Tarmac road linking the Hive estate and the new homes with the new Bevan’s Park and football pitch.

The “reserved matters” more detailed planning application was agreed by EDC in November 2021.