Ministers believe that by calling area Thames Estuary Parklands they will attract more housebuilders

The Thames Gateway in London is to be renamed the Thames Estuary Parklands because ministers believe it essential to attract housebuilders.

According to the Evening Standard, an internal report by Ruth Kelly’s Department for Communities and Local Government, reveals that the fear is people consider the Thames Gateway to be “degraded.”

The report also reveals that the number of homes plan will increase by 40,000, taking the total up to 160,000.

“This name encapsulates our ambition for it to become a great and distinctive place to live, work, visit and invest,” says the Thames Gateway Strategic Framework report.

The renamed scheme, which stretches from Tower Bridge to the Isle of Sheppey, is expected to be launched by Kelly later this month.