Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent providing an update on matters concerning Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park. The following points were made:

·         The Superintendent recognised the incredible effort from staff since Christmas, particularly in light of the recent mild weather and earlier snow.

·         The recently announced Government roadmap will allow the Team to plan sports activities from 29 March and timetable events from 21 June. It was highlighted that the key role of Open Spaces would remain, especially at Easter and summer, as people were being encouraged not to go on holiday and were likely to stay local.

Contractors & Maintenance

·         Recovery work will operate in parallel to the reopening of facilities. Other major works includes an 8-week programme of gas supply works on Parliament Hill starting in late spring; 7-week health and safety works to replace gravel at the East Heath Car Park  progressing in April; and ongoing toilet renovations finishing next Friday.

·         With regards to the gas supply works, a Member cautioned Officers regarding contractors taking space for storage, etc, as the City Corporation had unhappy experiences with this in past. It was recommended that use to contractors be time and space limited, with potential use cameras and a deposit requested in advance. Officers confirmed the contractor had been made aware the Car Park was vital to the Heath, the use was for 8 weeks only and a fee would be charged.

·         Officers were pleased to report that after years of previous drainage investigations at the Lido, the source of a major leak had been found. It was hoped this would be fully resolved soon and thanks was given to the City Surveyor for their ongoing assistance. 

Planning

·         The Superintendent updated Members on the following planning application:

o   Cranwood Development (Haringey). Officers attended a forum by the London Borough of Harringay and have written representations to the Housing Department and the developer concerning rentable affordable homes. The City Corporation will continue to engage further prior to a planning application submission.

Hampstead Heath Events Programme 2021-22

·         Members were informed that the ongoing COVID pandemic had made it incredibly difficult as the lack of certainty for event organisers meant they were unable to make applications as normal. The Officer Event Group have continued to operate flexibly for events.

·         The annual Night of 10k Personal Bests has sadly been cancelled for 2021 which was regarded as a huge loss for the Heath.

·         The English National Cross Country was planned for March but unable to go ahead due to current restrictions. Ongoing dialogue is taking place with regards to a new date and November is looking possible which would be better in terms of damage to the Heath.

·         The ? walk is celebrating its 60^th anniversary and a  provisional date of 11 July was confirmed pending a risk assessment.

·         The planned May date for the Race for Life event was postponed and would hopefully take place on 21 August.

·         The Showman’s Guild plans for an eight-day Easter Fairs event are no longer happening and discussions are ongoing to move the event back to Whitsun.

·         The Affordable Art Fair event organisers are currently planning for September dates and Zippos Circus is planned to go ahead on 18-24 October.

·         The Leisure and Events Manager provided context for a possible new event advising that Hideaway Cinema had expressed interest in a five day outdoor cinema event which would be held in a fenced area at the back of the Lido area starting on 8 September need. Officers felt this would be a great revenue opportunity and a nice event for the local community.

·         It was also noted that the BBC were in discussions to televise initial areas for The Proms in collaboration with Hideaway Cinema which would be a free event for the local community.

·         The Chair felt the events were a balancing act as the Heath had lost lots of income but there was always risk of damage to the Heath by visitors. The ticketing basis of these events would provide surety on the numbers expected.

Swimming

·         Officers confirmed that capital funding had been secured for a project concerning the accessibility, safety and security of the three Bathing Ponds and Lido and had progressed to Gateway 2. Officers are engaging the local swim community and a report will come to the May meeting.

·         With regards to proposals for next year, Members were advised that engagement with the swim community and HHCC had taken place and was set out in appendix 1. Officers continued to work towards a planned date of 29 March when the Mixed Bathing Pond would be opened and have a longer season. Officers were in discussion with the Winter Swim Club regarding their arrangements. The season would operate with online bookings and tallying of visitors.

·         The Chair confirmed the swim season would be reviewed annually and Members approved the planned swimming arrangements for 2021.

Highgate Wood

·         It was noted that despite the stay local message to the public, Muswell Hill Road was regularly lined with cars for visitors and huge numbers were attending. Officers were gearing up from 29 March onwards when events and sport would recommence and Covid recovery work was planned on the conservation area.

·         With regard to unprecedented numbers, a Member noted that it was easier to restrict capacity at the Wood and whether it had reached a point of too many visitors. Members were advised that approximately a million people were visiting annually, and staff were controlling access with some areas closed off from the public as new desire lines/opening up of existing lines were being witnessed. The Chair stated that people had found new Open Spaces during the pandemic and there were campaigns for more Open Spaces in London.

Queen’s Park

·         Officers confirmed that there were damage and compaction concerns at the Park, as well as some recent flooding. The Friends of Queen’s Park were meeting this weekend to discuss and support projects at the Park. The sports offer would be promoted from 29 March and a draft plan revisiting the Woodland Walk project was being reviewed locally.

RESOLVED – That Members agree in principle the Swimming arrangements for 2021 (appendix 1) as set out in para 17.