Agenda item

The Superintendent to be heard.

The Hampstead Heath Management Team updated the Committee on the following matters:

·         A visitor 1 sculpture was scheduled to be installed on 11 July 2012, and would be removed in November 2012.

·         The National Grid gas works were progressing. Due to recent weather conditions, a temporary track had been placed over part of the Hampstead Heath Extension in order to aid vehicle use. One rugby pitch would be temporarily relocated. The works were expected to be completed by 15 November 2012. Works began at Cut Through Lane on 31 May 2012, with an expected completion date of 31 October 2012. Works were scheduled for Parliament Hill Fields in mid-September and were expected to last 22 weeks. 

·         There were the following on-going planning issues:

o   A new planning application was being proposed in Garden House, which featured a basement in the plans.

o   The Water House development had not yet submitted an application to the London Borough of Camden.

o   Proposed works to extend the East Heath Car Park had recently been approved.

o   A new planning application at Athlone House was expected in the near future.

·         The legal dispute over the “Green to Gold” copyright had recently been settled out of court. The phrase could now be used until 2013.

·         The Freedom Bill was likely to be enacted in the future and would revoke the City’s power to clamp vehicles that did not comply with the Heath parking policy. Alternative measures were currently being investigated. Members noted that a decision regarding the matter may need to be made outside of the Committee cycle and members were invited to forward their comments to staff once details had been circulated.

·         Massaria had recently been identified on trees in the City Gardens, Royal Parks and Stratford. Officers were currently seeking advice from the London Tree Officers’ Association. In response to a question from Ellin Stein, the Conservation and Trees Manager confirmed that Massaria was likely to disfigure trees rather than kill them. A Massaria-infected tree carried a higher risk of limb drop. Massaria had been identified on the Heath and the number of tree inspections would be increased in order to closely monitor the situation.

·         Oak Processionary Moth had not yet arrived on the Heath, but had recently been located in Croydon and was known to be in the Richmond area.

·         A Pekingese type dog had been killed by a Mastiff dog on 7 July 2012.

RECEIVED