Forum Topic

Northcote Nature Reserve (Pit Park)

Is anyone aware of the latest on the Northcote Nature Reserve project or how the public meeting from a while back went?  Vanessa Smith - do you know?  Thanks, Scott.

Scott Doyle ● 3487d18 Comments

Will P.M. you.

Vanessa Smith ● 3487d

Unable to P.M.?The Friends of Northcote Nature Reserve now have the final plans complete, we have also been very lucky in being granted just over £100,000 from S106 monies (planning gain). Hounslow have commissioned ground tests which are required and we are continuing to work closely with other local organisations on moving forward with actually starting work. The whole project will take several years and work is ongoing on a timeline for the various component projects, as well as those needed regarding the River Crane which abuts the park because of bank erosion.We are in the process of getting a website set up so that we can keep everyone up to date as things go along. The public meeting last May was broadly supportive from residents both sides of the river some of whom who make up the Friends group. This is an opportunity to take a badly neglected area and make it something that the whole community can use, as well as local environmental groups we have several local schools and the local church on board. The proposed nature reserve is now included in the greater Crane Valley Project, and is unique in that the River Crane is tidal here and supports some unique habitat.

Vanessa Smith ● 3487d

Residents doing something positive and constructive to benefit their area?  It will have to be stopped.

Phil Andrews ● 3487d

Excellent news!  Thank you very much for the update.  I am moving into a house that I am renovating on Haliburton Road (although at the north end further from the park).  I only became aware of the park even being there from your friends group.  It's easy to walk by and not realise.  I went round last week to have a look.  A big thank you from a new neighbour for your efforts :)

Scott Doyle ● 3486d

Thank-you too, please feel free to get involved once you're settled.

Vanessa Smith ● 3486d

Can I ask where this is please

Paul Franklin ● 3482d

Northcote Avenue, Isleworth - just before the footbridge leading into Northcote Road in LBRUT.

Phil Andrews ● 3482d

I see that the Hounslow consultations page reports a consultation on "Northcote Recreation Grounds (The Pits)".The link is currentlyhttps://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20096/consultations/1323/current_consultations/9

Tim Henderson ● 3481d

Yes, there appears to have been yet another complete cock-up by Hounslow Council - hard to believe but true. It seems that their consultation website had to be 'upgraded' and for some reason I don't understand, this took them back to re-ignite previous matters, there is actually nothing new on it - but what do I know? On top of that the team - whoever they may be - also wiped all the plans from the website too - this has now been rectified and the latest, and we hope final plans are now available to view.The irony of all this is, that when the horse saga started we had to fight to get local residents consulted, and when it finally happened it consisted of an A4 sheet tied with string on a gate and left to flap in the wind and weather. Talk about from one extreme to another - as has been said many, many times you really couldn't make it up.

Vanessa Smith ● 3481d

Where are the (hoped-for) final plans ?Are they the "Option 4" plans on the consultation page ?Is there news of when work is being done on the plan and who is doing it ? Meadow planting season can't be far off.....

Tim Henderson ● 3481d

Yes, Option Four. If we could actually get the powers that be at Hounslow to make up their minds who is going to project manage and instead of talking and holding meetings start on the more practical work we'd be really happy. So much work has been done behind the scenes by a lot of local people and we are mindful of the need to get weaving and do it pretty shortly. It is not for the want of us pushing I can assure you.

Vanessa Smith ● 3481d

Thank you

Paul Franklin ● 3478d

Congratulations on the fundinghttps://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/grow-back-greener-fund#acc-i-62215"Creation of Northcote Local Nature ReserveLondon Borough of Hounslow, working in partnership with Friends of Northcote Nature Reserve, Greenspace 360, Friends of the River Crane Environment and South West London Environment Network, has been awarded £40,000 to create a new nature reserve in Isleworth.The project will transform a green space with limited value for wildlife into a more natural environment supporting a diverse range of habitats. It will create a tidal inlet and river bank terracing, alongside tree planting, a community orchard and wildflower meadows."

Tim Henderson ● 2110d

I assume that the Environment Agency will be consulted and possible participation sought from them.JL

Jim Linwood ● 2109d

The project has worked very closely with not only the EA from the outset, but also various environmental groups and individuals locally, also ZSL, to whom we are very grateful for their expertise and input.

Vanessa Smith ● 2109d

https://e-voice.org.uk/fonnr/plans/Link to the final plans.

Vanessa Smith ● 2109d

Very good news. That's a worthwhile venture that brings a benefit without causing a problem to anyone or anything.

Raymond Havelock ● 2109d

The Friends of Northcote Nature Reserve received planning consent on Christmas Eve to commence the ground/inlet works in the nature reserve, it is hoped that after necessary preparatory work this will start around early February. We also heard in early December that a bid made with the help of Hounslow to the Mayor of London's 'Grow Back Greener' fund had been successful for £40,000.

Vanessa Smith ● 2075d