Hampstead Heath Pond Project (1 Viewer)

christine

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2015

• #1

Thought i'd have a wander on Hampstead Heath today, but my usual places have been turned into construction sites due to the Corporations Pond Project. Two of the actual ponds were also no-go zones, so no joy there, although i did manage to spot a couple of Swans who had decided to hang on in there. All in all, very disappointing, but a pair of Cormorants near the mens bathing pond cheered me up a bit.

The project hasn't gone down well with some locals; you can read a bit more about it (both for and against) from these links:

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/ponds-project/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.protectourponds.org.uk/

 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Dec 15, 2015

• #2

Hi Christine

I used to live there and often wandered by the ponds and up the hill - many, many moons ago now. Such a shame I wasn't a bird watcher then though.

I'll have to read up on what's going on there... thanks for the links.

 

christine

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2015

• #3

Apparently they're building new dams in an effort to stop a potential mass flooding incident in the future. I think campaigners are worried that the new dams will look unsightly, as they'll obviously be far higher than they are now, but i think with natural landscaping it'll blend in soon enough. It's costing 15 Million quid though, not exactly small change -- i'd love to know how works like this are calculated.

Have to say that at the moment it looks awful as what were once nice ponds and fields are now construction sites. Hopefully they'll be finished by the spring and life on the Heath will get back to normal.

 

christine

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2015

• #4

Strike that, it's 21.2 million quid according to Horticulture Week: http://www.hortweek.com/work-go-ahead-londons-hampstead-heath-defend-against-floods/parks-and-gardens/article/1330177

 

Last edited: Dec 15, 2015

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Dec 15, 2015

• #5

I wonder what Mr Oddie thinks, this being his local patch?

Andy

 

Digbert Doobrey

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2015

• #6

Dam project my bottom! I'm sure Boris Johnson is going to shove in another one of his flipping cycle lanes through there.

 

christine

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2015

• #7

andyadcock said:

I wonder what Mr Oddie thinks, this being his local patch?

Andy

Click to expand...

He's in support of it according to this article from 2014.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/bill-oddie-do-not-underestimate-me-in-row-over-hampstead-heath-9120890.html

 

S

sneil

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2015

• #8

They're probably fracking.........:-C