Elm Park
| Elm Park | |
| Essex | |
|---|---|
 The Broadway, Elm Park | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ525855 |
| Location: | 51°32’54"N, -0°11’55"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 12,466 (2011) |
| Post town: | Hornchurch |
| Postcode: | RM12 |
| Dialling code: | 01708 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Havering |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Dagenham and Rainham |
Elm Park is a village transformed into a suburban planned community in south-western Essex, two miles south of Romford. Before construction of the extensive Elm Park Garden City development in the 1930s, this was a scattered settlement of farms in the south of the parish of Hornchurch. Elm Park has been connected to London by the electrified District Line service since 1935 and the planned development of the area formed part of the interwar private housing boom that was interrupted by Second World War. After the War Elm Park expanded with social housing.
The name 'Elm Park' was devised in 1933;[1] derived from the name of Elm Farm, which is first recorded in 1777 and was known as Elms in 1883.[2]
Urban development
Elm Park Garden City was a planned community by the developer Richard Costain and Sons Ltd., drawing on the ideas of the garden city movement. Costain purchased the land of Wyebridge, Elm and Uphavering farms for the development in 1933. Plans were announced for 7,000 houses on 600 acres of land for private sale in May 1933, and were submitted to the local council in June. Costain negotiated a higher density of development than was usually permitted. In return the council achieved some improvements, including provision of wider roads, a bridge over the railway line, and the donation of land for Harrow Lodge Park. Costain built an estate office at the corner of Coronation Drive and Maylands Avenue that later became occupied by a solicitor.[1]
Costain negotiated with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway to have a station built on the London to Southend railway that ran through the area and Elm Park Underground station, served by the District Line of the London Underground, opened in 1935. The station and the Elm Park Garden City were officially opened by Hilton Young, Minister of Health in May 1935. Celebrations to mark the opening included a performance by the Dagenham Girl Pipers. The Assembly Hall, intended to be used as a recreation space and theatre, was given to the Elm Park Residents' Association, which was established in July 1935. The estate was marketed as "Elm Park Romford", with Romford approximately two miles to the north. A frequent bus service was provided from 1939.[1]
House building on the estate was halted by Second World War. Because of the proximity of RAF Hornchurch the area was subject aerial bombing with some damage to the housing stock. After the war national housing policy had changed and Hornchurch Urban District Council deviated from the Costain plans to provide higher density social housing through compulsory purchase of the land, with borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board. By 1964 the council had created 1,146 council houses in Elm Park.[1]
Culture and community
Regeneration in the area is led by the local council and the Elm Park Regeneration Partnership.
Churches
- Church of England: St Nicholas
- Baptist: Elm Park Baptist Church
- Evangelical / independent:
- Arise Metropolitan Assembly
- Christ Life Church
- Eagles Christian Connections
- Roman Catholic: St Alban's