Park Collection Planning , Development and WDCO Forum
The West Reservoir is the one with the swimming and sailing, the one that is not currently open to pedestrians.
This photograph is taken from the Greater London Authority (GLA) website. Clearly taken when Spring Park and Haritington's were still a building site. The GLA has awarded £700,000 to the project from its Green and Resilient Spaces Fund, to which the London Borough of Hackney is adding £1.6m from Section 106 planning obligation. Planning obligations are legal obligations entered into to mitigate the impacts of a development proposal.
The GLA site also says
This project aims to open up currently inaccessible waterside green space at West Reservoir for public access, allowing people to circulate around the perimeter of the water, as well as creating new reedbed habitats for wildlife. New bridges will link routes over the New River enabling more people to experience the natural and built heritage of the site. An improved open water swimming facility and other enhancements will also increase the number of visitors to the site. The West Reservoir adjoins Woodberry Wetlands (previously known as the East Reservoir).
Which is not quite the same thing that Hackney is saying. A statement from Hackney says (my italics to highlight the different access proposals)
- A new accessible green space for local residents and visitors (via an entrance and / or bridge on the north east of the Reservoir), allowing people to circulate around the eastern bank of the Reservoir only;
- An accessible bridge across New River (it currently has steps);
- Enhanced habitats for wildlife;
- Enhancements to the watersports offer;
- Improvements and refurbishments to the building to better accommodate the range of uses;
- Improved landscaping;
- A more accessible cycling and walking route around New River path;
- A more accessible path network (linking West Reservoir better to Woodberry Down estate, Woodberry Wetlands and Green Lanes);
- More cycle parking;
- New reed beds;
- Stabilisation of the New River banks; and
- A comprehensive volunteer programme.
Hackney are also promising "an Improvement Board (in June / July 2022) to guide and advise us on the project"
with 2 representatives from the following organisations , agin my italics to translate the acronyms:
- Castle Canoe Club
- GLL (Greenwich Leisure / Better)
- LBH Officers and Cabinet Members
- LWT (London Wildlfe Trust)
- North London Sailing Association
- Open Water Swimmers
- Thames Water
- Ward Councillors
- WDCO (Woodberyy Down Community Organisation)
Originally Posted by Adrian Essex on March 24, 2022 at 6:24pm in Planning
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Replies
I could see a case being made to enter West res from the direction of the East res (blue line), follow along the broad South bank, and out via the Castle Centre/main entrance. This would avoid foot traffic on the narrow North bank while 'opening up' the large South bank. Surely this would annoy the residents on the South as walkers would be at the level of their bedrooms etc but this doesn't seem to stopped the same being done at the East res. Public access to the South bank seems to be what the Council wants as this is where people have been picnicing and partying and is has been the main point of access for unregulated swimmers. It would relieve pressure on the existing footpath on the North side but take footfall away from the likes of the Community Centre and Zer and Block D. It might boost footfall for the West res cafe and facilitate expansion. Gating this route (much like at East res) so prevent night time use would provide some relief.
Annotation to illustrate the two possible interpretations of the 'circulate' statements. Hackney's is much more contained.
I would have thought that the GLA comments would only reflect what Hackney Council proposed when they put in the application for funding. It is interesting therefore that the two statements are different. HIlary Britton