Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding management and operational activities across Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park since July 2015. The Superintendent provided some additional comments concerning the following matters:

Property

Lido Wall

A pre-start meeting relating to the rebuilding of the boundary walls has been scheduled for 4 October 2015. The Sports Advisory Forum and the Lido User Group would be consulted before this date.

Hill Garden Shelter

A contractor had been appointed to undertake tanking works; the pre-start meeting was scheduled for 24 September 2015.

Golders Hill Park Zoo Toilets

An additional separation tank would be constructed during autumn/winter as part of the City Surveyor’s Department’s programme of works.

Planning

Water House

The Superintendent would continue to work with LBC to resolve access and tree issues relating to the planning application, which was due to be considered by LBC’s Development Control Committee in October or November. The Superintendent hoped to attend this Committee meeting.

In response to Members’ questions, the Comptroller and City Solicitor agreed to investigate access issues relating to Millfield Lane, N6 and would report back to the Members concerned.

Athlone House

The appeal was dismissed by LBC in June 2015 but the applicant was now taking the matter to Judicial Review, for which a date had not yet been set.

Ivy House

Alpha Plus Group had recently purchased the property for educational use but a planning application had not been developed yet.

Golders Hill Park

The Park was awarded Gold in the London in Bloom Awards.

In response to a Member’s question regarding The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, the Deputy Chairman and Superintendent advised that the artists had instructed for graffiti not to be cleaned as the rusting process should remove it over time.

Highgate Wood

The Heritage Lottery Fund bid for the Kiln Project was rejected. A second bid would be reconsidered but the HLF had advised that the bid process was currently very competitive.

Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

In response to a Member’s question, the Director of Open Spaces advised that written assurance for funding support had been received from the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee and the Court of Common Council. Stronger action may be required at Hampstead Heath next season to manage the spread of OPM in the short-term but further collaboration between the Forestry Commission and all affected local boroughs was required to address its long-term impact. She added that a report would be submitted to the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee soon.

Queen’s Park

The Park was awarded a Silver Gilt in the London in Bloom Awards.

RESOLVED – That the Superintendent’s Update report be noted.