Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from John Hunt (South End Green Association) Steve Ripley (Ramblers’ Association) and David Walton (Representative of Clubs Using the Heath). It was noted that John Etheridge was attending the committee as an observer on behalf of John Hunt.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 7 April 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 April 2014 were approved as a correct record subject to Steve Ripley (Ramblers’ Association) being listed as present.

Matters Arising

Ponds Project Correspondence

The Chairman noted that the correspondence between the City of London Corporation and the Heath & Hampstead Society between December 2013 and March 2014 had been made available and copies were available on request.

Planning – Athlone House

Susan Rose noted that the proposal to list Athlone House had been refused.

Graffiti – Hill Garden Shelter

The Chairman noted this would be dealt with as part of the Superintendent’s update.

Dog Control Orders (DCOs)

The Chairman reiterated that the outcome of the trial of DCOs at Burnham Beeches would be reported to the November meeting of the committee, and that a public report of the City of London Corporation providing an update on the current legislative process would be issued at the end of the meeting.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Chairman noted that the sculpture had been moved to Golders Hill Park on 27 May in the presence of Jake Chapman, who was very pleased with the location. In response to a query from Ian Harrison over why Golders Hill Park had been chosen as a venue over Parliament Hill, the Chairman replied that Golders Hill Park had ultimately been identified as the more secure of the two sites. The Deputy Chairman added that the final decision had also been influenced by concerns expressed by the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee at its last meeting.

            In response to a query from Helen Payne, the Operational Manager replied that access issues that had originally prevented the location of the sculptures in Golders Hill Park had been overcome following the decision to use a different location within the Park. The

To receive the public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 12 May 2014.

Richard Sumray introduced the minutes of the Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 12 May 2014, noting in particular the success of the ‘Night of 10,000m’ held on 10 May 2014, in spite of the poor weather. The Forum had also examined plans for the Parliament Hill Lido drawn up by the Greater London Council in 1984 that had recently been discovered.

            In response to a request from Simon Taylor, the Superintendent agreed that the question of annual and monthly charging for the Athletics Track could be considered at the November meeting of the committee.

RECEIVED

To receive the public minutes of the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group seminar held on 13 April 2014.

The committee received the notes of the PPSG meeting held on 13 April 2014.

RECEIVED

To receive the public minutes of the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group seminar held on 24 April 2014.

The committee received the notes of the PPSG meeting held on 24 April 2014.

RECEIVED

To receive the public minutes of the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group seminar held on 10 May 2014.

The committee received the notes of the PPSG meeting held on 10 May 2014.

RECEIVED

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath to be heard.

The Superintendent noted that several meetings had been held to discuss the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project (HHPP) since the last meeting of the committee on 7 April 2014. These had included two Ponds Project Stakeholder Group seminars on a Saturday and Sunday – both followed by an additional session for anyone who could not attend the weekend sessions; a meeting with Brookfield Mansions residents; the Hampstead Heath Angling Society; the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association; Graham White (Senior Wetland Ecologist at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds); a meeting between the London Borough of Camden, City of London and the Heath & Hampstead Society to discuss emergency planning measures; and a meeting with London Borough of Camden’s former Green Councillor, Maya D’Souza.  This week officers would be meeting with Stephen Myers, author of Walking on Water: London’s Hidden Rivers Revealed, and residents adjacent to Highgate No.1. 

            The Superintendent went on to note that BAM Nuttall had completed their initial ground investigations and surveys on 15 May 2014, a fortnight ahead of schedule. Work undertaken included 15 bore holes and 34 trial pits. Some work had been postponed on account of the nesting season, and this would be completed in August 2014. He concluded by noting there would be a meeting of the Camden Development Management Forum later in the coming week, and further meetings with the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association (10 June) and the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group (26 June). It was anticipated that, subject to the decision of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee on 9 June, that the planning application for the Ponds Project would be submitted to the London Borough of Camden on 4 July 2014.

Planning – Water House

The Superintendent noted that the application had not been formally progressed by the London

Joint Report of the Director of Built Environment and the Director of Open Spaces.

Please note that Appendices 2, 3 and 4 are part of a Supplementary Pack.

The Chairman introduced a joint report of the Director of Open Spaces and the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Gateway 4c – Detailed Design of the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project. He explained the City of London’s Gateway project process and the structure of the report and its appendices.

            The Director of the Built Environment noted that the report provided an overview of the current stage of the project. He added that, given no clear preference had been expressed for any of the options that had been presented during the non-statutory consultation and information giving stage, officers had based their recommendation for the detailed design stage on the fundamental principles of the project, such as the desire to minimise tree loss and reduce where possible the overall increase in height of the dams.

            The Ponds Project and Management Support Officer provided an update on the trees “at risk” in order to reflect the most up to date picture emerging from the detailed design work. Currently it was forecast that 15 Category C trees were at risk at the Kenwood Ladies Pond rather than 12; it was also likely that the trees “at risk” at Highgate Number 1 Pond would increase and it would also be necessary to carry out some coppicing to provide access for engineering equipment; furthermore 5 rather than 4 Category C trees were at risk at the Viaduct Pond.  The City continued to work with Atkins to reduce the numbers of trees “at risk” at the Stock Pond – which reflected the particular concerns of the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group.  

            Richard Sumray commented that these numbers represented an increase beyond that had been foreseen and therefore expressed concern over the potential for tree loss to increase further. In response, the Director of the Built Environment replied

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Leisure and Events Manager introduced a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath on the fatality that occurred in the Kenwood Ladies Pond on 4 August 2013. 

            He noted that it was a difficult report to present to the committee and it covered what had been a difficult period for all who had been involved in the incident. He commented that the City of London Corporation could be proud of its response to the incident given that it had been handled professionally, responsibly and caringly.

            He went on to note that the lifeguards were extremely busy during summer 2013 and were carrying out regular rescues from the Ponds. He commented that the peer-review report on the City of London Corporation’s lifeguarding practices demonstrated that they were ensuring the Corporation was meeting its duty of care to swimmers. He emphasised that the fatality had been the first one on the Heath whilst lifeguards had been on duty, for 37 years. He concluded by noting that the health and safety report concluded that the City of London was doing all it could to limit the hazards faced by swimmers in a natural water setting, but that ultimately the responsibility in responding to those hazards was the individual swimmer’s.

            Richard Sumray welcomed the action plan included with the report that outlined improvements that would be made to the swimming experience at the Ponds. He supported in particular the induction of new swimmers and the installation of a second platform, which were recommendations of the Sports Advisory Forum. Moreover he welcomed the fact a report on proposed changes would be submitted to the Forum in due course.  

            Jeremy Wright commented that the lifeguards did an excellent job but queried the usefulness of updated signage. In response the Superintendent replied that chalk boards had

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath introduced a report outlining proposals to begin offering weddings and civil partnerships at the Hill Garden and Pergola.

            He thanked those present for the comments that had been provided on the proposal at the committee walk on 29 March and noted that officers intended to adopt a ‘soft opening’ of the proposal to ensure its impact on the site and other visitors was kept to a minimum.

            John Weston welcomed the fact there would be a ‘soft opening’ but expressed concern over the potential impact of weekend popularity of weddings.

            In response to a question from Colin Gregory regarding how long set-up and dismantling of temporary wedding structures would take, the Superintendent replied that officers would seek to encourage a minimalist approach to the site given the appeal of its landscaped setting. Colin Gregory commented that the time of day at which the wedding was conducted would also have an impact on other visitors, given an afternoon wedding would conflict more with popular visiting times compared to a morning wedding.

            Richard Sumray commented that he supported the proposal but agreed with Colin Gregory that the time it took to set up and dismantle temporary structures would be an issue, particularly in the event of rain.

            Jeremy Wright commented that he too welcomed the proposals provided appropriate safeguarding work on the setting was put in place by officers. He welcomed the fact that the initiative would encourage a greater awareness amongst the general public of what was arguably a little-known part of the Heath.

            Helen Payne endorsed the concerns expressed over the impact on the wider public posed by set-up time of weddings and civil partnerships. She noted that particular rooms and areas of the property being closed off at Kenwood House had been known to

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Leisure and Events Manager introduced a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding a proposal to install a triple table tennis table on the Heath.

            The Leisure and Events Manager explained that the proposal was inspired by comments from the public following the success of similar initiatives in Golders Hill Park and Queen’s Park, and that the decision to install a triple table had been made as this would be more inclusive.

            He added that the proposed location of the table would be adjacent to the Parliament Hill tennis courts as this would be in keeping with the current use of that area, and it was hoped that the installation of the triple table tennis table would encourage the informal development of the area as a youth ‘hub’. Moreover, he noted that the installation would serve as a good marketing tool for the upcoming Give it a Go event on 20 July.

            Richard Sumray commented that the proposal looked good and was arguably the right approach for that area of the Heath.

            Michael Hammerson similarly welcomed the proposal but expressed concern over the potential impact of increased activity on area of grass on which it would be situated and the improved setting of the Bull Path. This impact could be mitigated by placing the table tennis table as close as possible to the tennis hut.

            Susan Nettleton commented that it was an excellent idea but that a green table would be arguably more appropriate aesthetically, instead of a black one.

            Jeremy Wright noted that he shared the concerns expressed by Michael Hammerson but that he welcomed the proposal overall.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Hampstead Heath Ecologist introduced a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that outlined a management work plan for Preacher’s Hill. She noted that the aim of the plan was to increase public access to a little-known part of the Heath without detracting from its current natural character. She added that there was the potential problem of Ash Dieback which would have to be monitored over the longer term.

            Jeremy Wright noted that the Heath & Hampstead Society fully supported the management plan and that its members were grateful for the excellent work of the Hampstead Heath Ecologist and her colleagues.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

The next meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee will be on 3 November 2014 at 7.00pm in the Conference Room, Parliament Hill Staff Yard, Hampstead Heath

The next meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee will be held on 3 November 2014 at 7.00pm in the Conference Room, Parliament Hill Staff Yard, Hampstead heath, NW5 1QR.