Lower Lea Valley
Encyclopedia
The Lower Lea Valley is the southern end of the Lea Valley, surrounding the River Lea (or Lee), which runs along the boundary of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
on its western bank and the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest and Newham
on its eastern bank, into the River Thames. The river forms the boundary between (inner) London
and the ancient Becontree hundred
. Much of the area is included in the masterplan of London's bid for the 2012 Olympic games
, which will provide a legacy of facilities for this currently run-down area. There are plans to redevelop all the derelict and underutilised parts of the valley, which will take until 2020 or beyond. The largest single redevelopment scheme in the area is Stratford City
.
The Lower Lea valley is within the wider Thames Gateway
regeneration area, and is part of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
's remit. The Lower Lea Valley area forms part of the Green Enterprise District
, a project to create a low-carbon economy
region in Greater London
.
There are many different spellings of the river's name. In the 19th century the Ordnance Survey
decided to use both Lea and Lee. After years of dispute about the spelling, now it is agreed that natural features such as the river are spelt Lea, whilst man-made features are spelt Lee, such as the Lee Valley Park
and the Lee Navigation canal and towpath.
A 2005 documentary What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day
? focused on the history and landscape of the Lower Lea Valley. The film was made by Paul Kelly
in conjunction with British pop group Saint Etienne
.
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a London borough to the east of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It is in the eastern part of London and covers much of the traditional East End. It also includes much of the redeveloped Docklands region of London, including West India Docks...
on its western bank and the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest and Newham
London Borough of Newham
The London Borough of Newham is a London borough formed from the towns of West Ham and East Ham, within East London.It is situated east of the City of London, and is north of the River Thames. According to 2006 estimates, Newham has one of the highest ethnic minority populations of all the...
on its eastern bank, into the River Thames. The river forms the boundary between (inner) London
Inner London
Inner London is the name for the group of London boroughs which form the interior part of Greater London and are surrounded by Outer London. The area was first officially defined in 1965 and for purposes such as statistics, the definition has changed over time. The terms Inner London and Central...
and the ancient Becontree hundred
Becontree (hundred)
Becontree was an ancient hundred in the south west of the county of Essex, England. Its area has been entirely absorbed by the growth of London; with its name reused in 1921 for the large Becontree estate of the London County Council...
. Much of the area is included in the masterplan of London's bid for the 2012 Olympic games
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
, which will provide a legacy of facilities for this currently run-down area. There are plans to redevelop all the derelict and underutilised parts of the valley, which will take until 2020 or beyond. The largest single redevelopment scheme in the area is Stratford City
Stratford City
Westfield Stratford City is a shopping centre in Stratford, London, owned by the Westfield Group. The centre opened on 13 September 2011. With a total retail floor area of , it is one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe. It is the 3rd largest shopping centre in the United Kingdom by...
.
The Lower Lea valley is within the wider Thames Gateway
Thames Gateway
The Thames Gateway is an area of land stretching east from inner east London on both sides of the River Thames and the Thames Estuary. The area, which includes much brownfield land, has been designated a national priority for urban regeneration, taking advantage of the development opportunities...
regeneration area, and is part of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government, with directors appointed by the Secretary of State, including some democratically elected councillors...
's remit. The Lower Lea Valley area forms part of the Green Enterprise District
Green Enterprise District
The Green Enterprise District is a regeneration project of the Mayor of London in east London, England, with a stated aim to create a low-carbon economy region in Greater London. It coincides with the Lower Lea Valley and London Riverside sections of the Thames Gateway, which corresponds to parts...
, a project to create a low-carbon economy
Low-carbon economy
A Low-Carbon Economy or Low-Fossil-Fuel Economy is an economy that has a minimal output of greenhouse gas emissions into the environment biosphere, but specifically refers to the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide...
region in Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
.
There are many different spellings of the river's name. In the 19th century the Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
decided to use both Lea and Lee. After years of dispute about the spelling, now it is agreed that natural features such as the river are spelt Lea, whilst man-made features are spelt Lee, such as the Lee Valley Park
Lee Valley Park
Lee Valley Regional Park is a long linear park, much of it green spaces, running through the northeast of London, Essex and Hertfordshire from the River Thames to Ware in Hertfordshire, England through areas such as Hackney, Tottenham, Enfield, Stratford, Tower Hamlets, Walthamstow, Cheshunt,...
and the Lee Navigation canal and towpath.
A 2005 documentary What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day
Mervyn Day
Mervyn Day is a former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a goalkeeper for West Ham United, Leyton Orient, Aston Villa, Leeds United, Luton Town, Sheffield United and Carlisle United. He later managed Carlisle United...
? focused on the history and landscape of the Lower Lea Valley. The film was made by Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (film maker)
Paul Kelly is an English film director, musician, photographer and designer.-Music:The son of an RAF fighter pilot - he took up flying aged fourteen, making his first solo flight on his seventeenth birthday. However, a passion for music and electric guitars eventually led him to follow a musical...
in conjunction with British pop group Saint Etienne
Saint Etienne (band)
Saint Etienne are an English Pop group comprising Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs. They are named after the French football team AS Saint-Étienne.-History:Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs were childhood friends and former music journalists...
.