Issue - meetings

2008/1973 – Restoration of Grade II Listed Villa to bring all areas into beneficial use as a café, Function Rooms, retail and ancillary park facilities (W.C, Ranger Point) the work includes repairs & alterations to external walls, re-roofing, internal alterations creating new layout; provision of new passenger lift, kitchen/servery, W.C facilities.

2008/1975 – Renovations to park environment including: Demolition and removal of the following: 2 No. existing toilet blocks; Aviary; 2 No. small sheds; 5 No. entrance gates.  Refurbishment of: Sluice House with change of use to A1 (refreshment kiosk 25 sqm in area); and Bowling Pavilion including re-instatement of WCs.  Erection of: New Aviary; new butterfly dome; 5 No. entrance gates; storage shed; 2 No. new pedestrian bridges; Extension of the “New River” water body; development of a new sports and play area including skate park.  Relocation of waste storage areas to existing depot accessed from Greenway Close.

9.1  The Planning Officer introduced the report, as set out in the agenda.  He referred to the addendum and stated that section 1.4 on page 163 of the agenda should be deleted from the report. The addendum also provided a clarification of enclosures to the New River and Lakes within Clissold Park.

9.2  Sally Prothero (LDA), Hyder Ajmi (Project Manager, Hackney Council) and Shane Jenson (Project Manager, Hackney Council) were in attendance to answer any questions that arose.

9.3  In response to a query regarding the relocation of the Hackney Tennis Club, the Planning Officer explained that the tennis club currently occupies part of the ground floor of Clissold House and that the proposal was to open up the house to the public, which would include the area they currently occupy.

9.4  Councillor Smith raised two questions concerning the extension to the water body and the health and safety implications and also why the interpretation centre was included within the proposal.

9.5  Sally Prothero explained that the extension to the New River was an important feature in the park, identified at stage 1 of the project.  The extension was not as extensive as originally proposed and a low fence will be installed around it for health and safety reasons.  In relation to the interpretation centre, Sally Prothero stated that it was viewed as a way pf getting new people to use the park.  It was also an opportunity to gain new volunteers and would also be used by local schools.  The centre also makes good use of the derelict bowling pavilion.

9.6  The Chair asked a number of questions, firstly regarding the York Stone and what was to take its place as English Heritage were not happy with this proposal.  The Urban Design & Conservation Manager explained that this was an important refurbishment and that the Council had worked closely with English Heritage and that further discussion would need to take place on the proposed materials.

9.7  The Chair also wished to clarify what railings were proposed for the water bodies and also why the gates to the park were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9