The Stonebridge study area. The area outlined in yellow is where it is proposed to improve public access to the countryside and other heritage assets, although it proved necessary to carry out some contextual research across a larger area (shown in blue).
Improving public access to the countryside: Stonebridge, near Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Professor Stephen Rippon
Southend-on-Sea is a large urban area in South East Essex that currently lacks much in the way of green open spaces. The Borough Council are therefore developing a strategy to enhance public access to an adjacent area of countryside in the Stonebridge area. Stephen Rippon was commissioned to study the history of the landscape in this area in order to inform the development of this initiative at its very early planning stage.
A full report on the history of the landscape in the Stonebridge area can be downloaded here: Stonebridge Park report (PDF)