Gasworks, Regeneration and Communities
June 2022
by
Author: Araceli Camargo, MSc Neuroscience
Author: Josh Artus
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Background
Regeneration is a word used to promote positive benefit from construction and urbanisation. It promotes that through the investment there are social benefits that trickle down.
The UK has a manufactured housing crisis from intentionally poor policy where the value of land in densely populated areas has risen dramatically over the past few decades. In Jun 1992 the average house price was £55,504, in March 2022 it was £278,000. This gold rush has meant that every possible square foot of land can be considered for housing based development.
In 1994 the publicly listed National Grid formed a joint venture with high-end house building Berkeley Homes to create St. William Homes LLP. The joint venture was tasked with turning redundant gasworks sites into potential housing. Many of these sites existed in densely populated urban environments, more often than not in areas high in population of multi-ethnic working class people. “Regenerating” these sites were destined to bring rewards solving problems in our society:
“National Grid has over 20 sites in London and the South East with the potential to provide over 14,000 homes over the next 10-15 years. In its first phase, St William aims to develop more than 7,000 new homes, including over 2,000 affordable homes. Development at this scale would also deliver 5,500 jobs, 2 new schools and 22 acres of public open space, transforming 84 acres of former industrial land and contributing over £150m to local infrastructure and amenities.”
In March 2022 Berkeley Group bought out the National Grid’s 50% stake in the joint venture for £412.5m.
The Problem
Construction on old gas works sites without biologically adequate provisions are putting various communities across the UK at high risk for poor health outcomes.
Biologically adequate provisions means providing a community with solutions that will fully protect them from any and all pollution from the site.
The World Health Organisation has declared there are no safe levels of air pollution, therefore it is paramount that strict provisions are enacted. If this is not possible, the council should intervene to stop or delay the construction until adequate solutions can be provided. The human body is not meant to be exposed to air pollution, we need clean and nourishing air for a full and flourishing life.
“In their Environmental Impact Assessment, Ramboll have identified numerous hazardous materials – including ARSENIC, BENZENE, CYANIDE and NAPHTHALENE – that are harmful to human health.”
- https://cbc-leabridge.co.uk/lea-bridge-gasworks-redevelopment
From Centric Lab's research and collaborations with communities facing air pollution we have learned of the various poor health outcomes associated with exposure to gas work construction sites.
Known Symptoms (to date) (more should be expected as research continues)
Nose bleeds (mainly in children)
Headaches
Nausea
Panic attacks
Depression
Anxiety
Breathing difficulties
Chest pains
Sleep disruption
There are also documented cases of various hospitalisations and the premature deaths of elderly people.
Community Response
There are various communities that are advocating for adequate provisions when constructing on gas work sites.
Clean Air for Southall & Hayes
started the ball rolling and in the last 4 years have inspired various other communities to look deeper into gas work site construction plans in their local areas.
https://southallandhayescleanair.org.uk
Communities Before Construction
was started with the “request to the Developers and the Council is that they listen and respond to the families that live here – we want the area to improve for all of us. We say yes to housing, no to harming our community.”
AGHAST
is a “crowdfunded community group formed in 2020 to respond to the development proposals put forward for the Brighton Gasworks site. We have sought to engage with the council and the developers.”
https://www.brightongasworks.org
Gasworks Communities United
“an alliance of communities affected by Berkeley Homes’s development of disused gasworks sites in the UK.”
Mapping
People have theThe Right To Know if new developments present a risk to health. Therefore aspart as our continual support and solidarity with communities facing the consequences of gas work sites, Centric Lab has mapped their location across London and whether they are located in an area of existing biological inequity.
Locations are green dots on a colour scaled map of Centric Lab’s Biological InEquity Index. Darker colour = higher level of Inequity.
| Gasworks Site | BOROUGH | WARD | POSTCODE | INEQUITY SCORE (0-2) | INEQUITY GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckton Gasworks | Newham | Beckton | E6 7FB | 1.38 | Med-High |
| Bethnal Green Gasworks | Hackney | St. Peter's | E2 9DT | 1.46 | Med-High |
| Bow Common Gasworks | Tower Hamlets | Bromley South | E3 4BH | 1.59 | Med-High |
| Fulham Gasworks | Hammersmith & Fulham | Sands End | SW6 2AD | 1.18 | Medium |
| Kensal Green Gasworks | Kensington & Chelsea | Dalgano | W10 5JD | 1.61 | High | Lea Bridge Gasworks | Waltham Forest | Lea Bridge | E10 7PB | 1.32 | Med-High |
| Mitcham Gasworks | Merton | Lavender Fields | CR4 3EQ | 0.99 | Medium |
| Poplar Gasworks | Tower Hamlets | Lansbury | E14 0NB | 1.68 | High |
| Stratford Gasworks | Newham | Stratford & New Town | E15 2NF | 1.58 | Med-High |
| Wood Green Gasworks | Haringey | Noel Park | N22 6UG | 1.49 | Med-High |
The locations of the sites in London area overwhelmingly in areas of high inequity. This means a higher susceptibility to poorer health outcomes in these areas as a response from additional stressors and health hazards such as carcinogenic chemicals and particulate matter.
ACTION POINTS
This map can be used to make communities aware of the consequences of gas work construction sites.
We should consider that some of the gas work locations are in areas of high deprivation and biological inequity, meaning that these communities will be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution, even at low levels.
Any Equalities and/or Health Impact Assessment should observe, through statistical and survey responses, the potential susceptibility of local residents to additional stresses.
Construction plans should be done in such a way as to not overburden the local areas with additional air, noise, and light pollution.
Local Communities should have the ability to review the construction methodology and comment/approve. Providing local lived experience will ensure that construction plans are done in connection to local realities.
Clear and transparent communication from Authorities and the Construction/Development firms on activities and mitigations in place to local communities.
Local Community members have clear and constant communication with designated personnel at the Local Authority and the Construction/Development firms when signs of air pollution arise.
