MP LAUDS 'FANTASTIC' LTGDC CREATIVE PLANS FOR BARKING
20 March 2009
Local MP and Culture Minister Margaret Hodge
visited the historic Malthouse site on Abbey Road, Barking, this
week to witness first hand the London Thames Gateway Development
Corporation’s (LTGDC) plans to transform it into a vibrant
residential and Creative Industries Quarter (CIQ) for
Barking. And after hearing from LTGDC Chairman Bob Lane and
arts based groups already resident at the CIQ she described future
plans for the site as “fantastic”.
Once a derelict warehouse The Malthouse was
bought and refurbished by LTGDC opening in late 2007. On
Wednesday Mrs Hodge visited the Malthouse to meet with the
different creative industries which are now in residence and to
learn about the future plans for the site.
LTGDC has submitted a planning application to
extend The Malthouse, restore the Granary warehouse next door, and
construct four new buildings. The future plans will see 300
new homes along with retail units and an additional 5,000 sq m of
work spaces for creative industries. The application also
includes providing new public transport links with pedestrian and
cycle routes across the River Roding and creating new public open
spaces and terraces near to and overlooking the river. The planning
application was submitted in November 2008 and will be determined
this spring.
After seeing a model of the proposed scheme
Mrs Hodge said:
“I’m absolutely delighted at the brilliant
work that is taking place at the Malthouse. The future plans
for the site being developed by London Thames Gateway Development
Corporation look fantastic – Barking really deserves a place like
this where people can engage with and enjoy the Creative
Industries.”
As well as seeing the future plans Mrs Hodge’s
tour of the Malthouse also revealed the diverse range of creative
industries from wallpaper makers to photographer studios actively
on site. The role of creative industries at the CIQ in
working with local people was underlined by the work of Arc Theatre
and Studio 3 Arts. Both organisations specialise in delivering arts
projects that are created by and actively involve the local
community. A recent project with young people on knife crime
has been highly successful in challenging perceptions and changing
attitudes.
Mrs Hodge said:
“I was particularly interested to learn of the
work of the Arc Theatre and Studio 3 Arts in encouraging young
people to talk about and tackle knife crime. Creative industries
are not an alien import of no importance to local communities, but
can and are playing a vital role in addressing real issues and
providing real building blocks for communities to live
together.’
Bob Lane, Chair of the LTGDC, said:
“As a Culture Minister Margaret Hodge is
highly knowledgeable about the role that creative industries are
playing in bringing jobs, regeneration and a sense of place to many
areas across the country. It’s particularly encouraging – and
extremely valuable – to get her endorsement today.”
ENDS
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