Google Earth Community: Dubai-on-Thames

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Gulf magnates who have worked on the artificial “palm” islands of Dubai, (above) have turned their attention to the greyer waters of the Thames estuary (below) with a proposal to reclaim two three-mile stretches of land between Kent and Essex and turn them into resorts.

The islands would include yacht marinas, theatres, an opera house and housing, all connected by a six-mile bridge spanning the estuary.

If it goes ahead the project would be one of the main parts of the government’s long-delayed £9 billion redevelopment of the Thames Gateway, the area along the riverbank from east London to the North Sea.

Ebbsfleet International

The bridge and island proposal was originally drawn up by Sir Terry Farrell, architect of the MI6 headquarters in London and designer of the Thames Gateway masterplan.

Dubai construction firms are understood to have joined a consortium of potential investors, although they will not consider going any further until ministers have responded to the idea.

Nigel Coates Mixtacity model of the Thames Gateway Tate Modern - June 2007 -

“This would be a first for Britain but in Holland and Dubai they’ve been doing it for ages,” said Martin Nielsen, a director of Scott Wilson, the engineering consultancy which has taken up Farrell’s original idea.

The unnamed Middle Eastern developers approached the consortium a year ago. They are understood to have worked with Nakheel, the company controlled by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the emirate’s ruler, which developed the palm islands off Dubai’s coast. Nakheel itself said this weekend it was not involved.

Crossness Southern Marsh

“They were really looking for something unusual and they were looking at trying to bring their experience of developing things like The Palm and other reclamation schemes,” said Nielsen. “It’s been Dubai leading the charge on that.”

Last week Dubai dipped its toe into the Thames when it won approval for a £1.5 billion container port at Thurrock, Essex, (below) to be built by DP World, the Dubain firm that recently bought the port operation of P&O.

Thames Gateway at Thurrock

Canvey Island

The islands would be between Sheppey in Kent and Southend on the north side of the estuary. One would be joined to the end of the 1.3mile pier stretching into the sea from the Essex town.

The plans envisage creating large towns on both islands and a marina on the south of the main island. This would be the first point of call for yachts travelling from Europe to London.

Upnor Castle

The seafront would be lined with shops, cafes and apartments. The setting for residents, however, would have a different flavour from the palm and “world map” islands (below) in the turquoise waters of the Gulf.

The World, Dubai

Summer temperatures in north Kent are about 20C, much lower than in Dubai. Less hardy sunbathers may also be deterred by winds from the North Sea. Beaches will face away from the strong currents created by partially blocking the estuary.

Aircaft leaving London City Airport

Architects believe the islands would also help to protect London from tidal surges, which could become a greater danger if sea levels rise.

The centrepiece of the development would be an arch formed by two 450ft-high piers suspending the bridge, high enough for any ship to pass under.

The idea of a bridge is backed by Kent county council. The Department for Transport also confirmed it was investigating options for providing additional capacity in the area".

Proposed Thames Gateway Bridge

A succession of ministers, including John Prescott, the former deputy prime minister, and Yvette Cooper, the former housing minister now at the Treasury, have been criticised for failing to decide on the Thames Gateway plan which calls for 160,000 homes and 180,000 jobs by 2016.

Farrell hopes the gateway can be changed into the world’s first “eco-region”, with developments in protected countryside and parkland. “It encompasses a rich mix of rural and urban landscapes,” he said. “My role as design champion for the Gateway parklands is all about improving links in the region and reconnecting people to the landscape. It’s ambitious stuff, and I’m hopeful the local and national leadership is there to develop and deliver the vision.”

Eric Pickles, shadow communities secretary, said the government should take the islands and bridge proposal seriously. “We need this crossing. If we’re not careful, the gateway is going to be just a commuter dormitory.”

Thames Gateway

Source: Times Online

Thames Gateway BBC