Veolia have supported the Thames Chase in helping to fund some successful projects such as:
The Thames Chase Tree Nursery (Spring 1999)
The Great Barn Woodland Creation (winter 2001)
The Thames Chase Forest Centre (2005)
All of these projects were supported by the Cleanaway Havering Riverside Trust through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.
Veolia is also continuing to fund the Landscaping of the Forest Centre.
The Forestry Commission are one of the two originators of the Community Forest idea, and having acquired over 1000 hectares of land in the area over a ten year period, they now support their Thames Chase estate by employing a dedicated forester and a ranger as part of the delivery team. The Forestry Commission also supports Thames Chase through advice, research and training expertise, plus it is currently the principal source of grant aid to farmers and landowners for woodland planting and management. In partnership with other organisations, the Forestry Commission’s target is to plant 5.5million trees on some 2,000ha (5,000 acres) of land in the Thames Chase area by 2030.
The largest landowner in Thames Chase, with an estate of farms, country parks and school sites in Brentwood, a small number of which fall within or close to the forest. In the 1970’s, the County Council initiated the first Landscape Conservation Programme to redress the decline of the Essex landscape and the County still provide the Essex Ranger Service at Thorndon and Belhus Country Parks.
Pioneered urban fringe/countryside management in London’s Green Belt during the ‘80s and ‘90s, and nearly half of Thames Chase is in Havering. Havering is another large landowner whose estate covers key areas of Thames Chase. Havering also own a significant number of schools with large sites within the Green Belt and Thames Chase
Has extensive experience of environmental regeneration and almost a third of Thames Chase falls within Thurrock. The Borough is leading on a number of initiatives to deliver their environmental vision for residents and visitors, and the council also owns and manages many significant sites in Thames Chase
Regards environmental improvement as vital to the long-term economic prospects of this part of East London. In the borough lies the strategic Dagenham corridor with Eastbrookend Country Park. Further open spaces include The Leys, Central Park, the Chase Nature Reserve and major school sites in the Green Belt owned by the local education authority.
Brentwood Borough Council: Responsible for about one quarter of Thames Chase. The Borough Council owns significant areas of woodland, common and recreational land in Thames Chase covering 500 ha, including Hartswood, SSSI. Brentwood Countryside Management Service, is responsible for the Council’s woods and commons in Thames Chase
Essex Wildlife Trust and London Wildlife Trust: Both own nature reserves within the forest
A national charity committed to woodland conservation and management, and the Trust has acquired a number of sites in the Community Forest
Manage Rainham Marshes and associated visitor centre, which lies to the south-east of the Community Forest, representing a strategic link between Thames Chase and the River Thames.
Community groups and other organisations
Thames Chase is not just about the ‘big players’. It is an inclusive concept that seeks to connect the top down strategic direction needed to deliver the 40-year vision with the bottom up dynamism that comes with volunteering, business activity and civic engagement. As such, the Trust works to engage with a whole range of grass roots groups that share similar values in order to raise the profile of Thames Chase and support ongoing delivery. Such groups include: • Community ‘friends of’ groups • Community heritage groups and sites • Horse riding groups • Cycling groups • Walking groups • Health groups • Carer and supported living organisations • Other small charities • Local businesses • Groups undertaking informal activities (social, parents groups etc.) • Restoration companies and groups (e.g. Ingrebourne Valley Ltd; Aveley Properties Ltd)
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