Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

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:

Planning

·         Camden Eruv, 2016/1436/P. Members were advised that this has been approved.

·         North Westminster Eruv, 2016/2892/P. Members were advised that this has been approved.

·         Garden House, 2017/2885/P. The Superintendent advised that this was a complicated application which was yet to be determined.

·         The Water House, Millfield Lane 2017/3692/P. The Superintendent advised that this was progressing as a construction project and the development was due to complete in September. A further application would follow for landscape work.

·         Parliament Hill William Ellis School 2018/1270/P. The Superintendent noted that Officers were represented on the Community Working Group and continued to engage concerning trees.

·         South Fairground Site. The Superintendent advised that an appeal would start in April and that evidence from the Corporation was submitted last week. 

·         North Fairground Site 2017/4346/P. A Public Inquiry is scheduled to take place in early February 2019 as the October appeal was postponed due to the main witness being unavailable.

·         Jack Straws Castle 2017/2064/P. A decision has not yet been determined by the London Borough of Camden.

·         55 Fitzroy Park, 2018/3672/P. The Superintendent stated that the City of London Corporation had submitted an objection to this application and were monitoring the case being led by the London Borough of Camden. The Corporation have instructed counsel and commissioned consultants to assess the basement.

·         The Superintendent advised that the Corporation had submitted an objection to Kentish Town planning application and provided comments regarding the impact on Hampstead Heath.

Tree Inspections

·         Members were advised that recent storms had caused significant tree loss to Hampstead Heath and Highgate Wood. The Team have carried out full inspections and closed off at risk areas which has been publicised.

City Surveyors Cyclical Work Programme

·         The Superintendent advised that current projects within the City Surveyors Cyclical Work Programme included surveys of the athletics track, ongoing works on the toilets, design work of the project at Parliament Hill and works to the changing rooms.

East Heath Car Park

·         Members were advised that the City Surveyor had completed the survey concerning the car park resurfacing and that the works would go ahead shortly. 

Waste & Recycling Strategy

·         The Superintendent advised that a joint Keep Britain Tidy workshop with local stakeholders took place on 2 March 2019 and the strategy had been heavily discussed at the HHCC. Ongoing work and research with Keep Britain Tidy would continue to develop a communication campaign to support the introduction of recycling and reduce waste.

·         The Superintendent highlighted the need for an improved recycling system including public and comingled recycling.

·         The next stage was to carry out a pilot at Parliament Hill and trialling bins in rural Heath areas. A crucial change would include the introduction of bins that crushed waste and would mechanically replace full bins.

·         Members were advised that similar waste and recycling issues were being experienced at Keats House and new measures included zero use of plastic at concerts, a social media campaign and an initiative to reduce the amount of waste being brought onsite by visitors. Officers agreed to discuss measures with Keats House.

·         The Superintendent noted that the Cafés were now part of a food waste scheme which was taken by an outside party.

Hampstead Heath Constabulary

·         The Superintendent proposed that Body Worn Video (BWV) cameras be introduced for the Hampstead Heath Constabulary for the purposes of evidence gathering, safety and reduction of crime. Members were fully supportive of this proposal.

Pitch and Putt

·         The Superintendent advised Members that there had been a request from a member of the public regarding allowing dogs to be off the leash at the Pitch and Putt at Queen’s Park. This was discussed at the recent HHCC meeting and Members did not feel this was necessary as the neighbouring park allowed for off the lead dog walking.

·         Members were advised that the Comptroller had confirmed that that the bylaw stated that all dogs must remain on the lead at all times and the law would need to be changed to allow for dogs to be walked off the lead.

·         Members did not feel that a change to the bylaw was necessary and supported the existing policy to not permit dogs off a lead in the Pitch and Putt.

Constable’s Branch Hill Pond

·         Members were advised that the Corporation was working in partnership with Redington and Frognal Residents Association who successfully secured funding to the sum of £35k for the restoration of Constable’s Branch Hill Pond.

·         In response to a query regarding water levels, Members were advised that the plans were to develop an all year round natural pond and would be progressed through the AWP.

RESOLVED – That:-

·         Members provide their views in relation to the proposal to progress the Croquet Development Plan project initiative through developing a Capital Projects Gateway 1 & 2 report, as outlined in para 27;

·         Members provide feedback on the proposal to introduce BWV cameras for the Hampstead Heath Constabulary, as outlined in paras 31-35;

·         Members support the existing policy to not permit dogs off a lead in the Pitch and Putt course at Queen’s Park, as outlined in paras 39-41.