Bevan’s Park, is the green space behind Lawn Community Primary School. A reserved matters planning application has been submitted to EDC on this part of the scheme. There will be two main entrances; one from Factory Road and the other across the new footbridge stretching from the land north of the Hive across the Tarmac road. There will be a heritage park and trail and a football pitch, which will be managed by the school.
The new Bevan’s Park will include trails that link the top and bottom of the cliff. It will be transformed into a recreational space that the whole community can enjoy. The varied levels will be enhanced to form different character areas. At the top of the cliff there will be a natural zone for wildlife to flourish. Along the pathways unique viewpoints will be created giving long distance views along the river and back towards the road tunnel. The paths themselves will be heritage trails, celebrating Northfleet’s historic past with visitors being guided by a series of simple marker posts and interpretation boards. These will provide information about the history of the site and its previous industrial uses.
Care has been taken to ensure the heritage trail celebrates Northfleet’s history in a way that includes local historic artefacts and other materials. Flints from walls, kilns, and the sphinx sculpture will all be incorporated into the design. Consultation has been carried out with local history groups and experts to ensure Bevan's Park reflects the historic richness remembered by local people.
The trail will lead down the cliff to a specialist heritage section at the bottom. This will enhance the historic tunnel entrances and flint walls. The area will be landscaped and include seated areas and pathways which, where possible, will have an historic theme such as planters made from former kilns and former cement railway carts.
