For almost 10 years we have been striving to have a much needed Wildlife Pond and dipping platform created near the Branscombe bridge on the stream so that schools and families have a safe environment, where children can learn about nature, conservation and our precious water wildlife. This project has been universally supported and welcomed by local schools , families, visitors to the park, Thames21 and all the members of the Parks Department with whom we have had dealings on this for over 10 years. The original plans and drawings were actually created by the LBE.
Over many years we tried to have the project funded by Lottery grants or from the Mayor’s fund but although they thought the project was excellent we did not raise the money because of the cutbacks or Covid at the time. However, over the years most of the expensive elements of the original stream project were completed by the LBE and so all that we require now is the digging of hole with a digger and the construction of a dipping platform with a few metres of boardwalk to connect it to main boardwalk already constructed. In view of this we met Marcus Harvey in the park to discuss it on site and we were delighted then to get this email from him in March 2023.
“The pond and platform is definitely happening…
I’ll speak with Ian and come back to you with timelines”
And
“You will be pleased to hear that I have allocated capital funds to complete the pond works during 23 /24 (ideally early after April in 2023)”.
Then in May 23 we got this.
“I have included the works as part of our capital programme, which will got to Councillor Anyanwu for approval, then to full cabinet.
Please be assured that the project remains a deliverable for the service, we just need to follow process, to guarantee funds to support, once agreed I will be in touch
Marcus Harvey
Head of Parks and Open Spaces”
The idea was that the pond would be called the Coronation Pond and would be completed around the time of the Coronation celebrations to mark the historic occasion with a new feature in the park.
Regrettably Marcus left Enfield and nothing further has happened . When we met Kate Osamor in the Park she was told about the proposal and she then added the issue to her letter to Ian Davis the Chief Executive . We were so disappointed to read his perfunctory and risable response, which was something of an insult to her, us , the community , teachers and the Park employees who deigned and supported the scheme.
“With regards to the proposal for a wildlife pond and dipping platform, I understand from discussions with officers that there is already an open water habitat at the park and it was felt that a further pond would not be of significant wildlife benefit.”
Anybody with a cursory knowledge of Grovelands Park would be aware that the lake in the park is far too deep and dangerous for children to go near it for wildlife and nature pursuits and this pathetic reply shows a complete contradiction of the views of the ‘officers’ of the Parks Department, who have all supported the need for this project over several years. If his valedictory response is the best that the Chief Executive can come up with in a response to our MP is it any wonder that Enfield Council is in such a state. The Borough of Lambeth is now welcome to him.
At the planned meeting with Lisa Smart we hope to confirm that his view is not current LBE policy and we hope to make progress with her in getting this job done especially as we have now discovered that LBE own the appropriate digger so no outside contractor would be required to dig the hole in the space that Council staff have already cleared for the purpose and an attractive feature can be added to our park.