Hampstead Heath dams and ponds project: City of London Corporation wants your input

15 January 2013

Work is needed on some of the pond dams on Hampstead Heath to satisfy reservoir legislation safety requirements. The work will take place on the Hampstead chain of ponds and the Highgate chain. The City of London Corporation, which manages the Heath, is determined that this work will cause the least possible disruption to the Heath whilst protecting its valued landscapes, and safeguarding the communities which live around its borders and beyond to the necessary legal standards.

The project is at an early stage - no designs have been confirmed. There will be other opportunities later this year for the public to express their opinions and give comments on specific design options, but at this first stage the City would like to know:

1. What aspects of Hampstead Heath are most precious to you and need to be protected throughout and after this project?
2. What aspects of the ponds would you like to see enhanced? This could include enhancements to landscape or ecology.

Opinions gathered will be shared with the design team led by Atkins and will be fed directly into the design process.

Jeremy Simons, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath Management Committee said:
“This is the first chance for Heath lovers to have their say on this important project. I believe there are opportunities to make environmental gains as part of this programme and we’d like to know what aspects are most important to the public. Throughout the process we’ll do everything we can to minimise any disruption and take into account the views of people who use and love the Heath.”

This initial feedback needs to be gathered by the end of January and can be given by email to damsandponds@cityoflondon.gov.uk or by telephone on 0207 332 3847.

To find out more about the background to this project please visit: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/damsandponds

Notes to editors

Press enquiries
Jennifer Wood, Media Officer, City of London Corporation
T 020 7332 3847 / M 07929 864906
E jennifer.wood@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation has three roles: we support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration and skills projects. The City of London Corporation’s charity, the City Bridge Trust, makes grants of more than £15 million annually to charitable projects across London and we also support education - with three independent schools and three City Academies – plus a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama. We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London. And – with its heart in London’s Square Mile - we also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies and a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for much more on our uniquely diverse role, including the City of London Police, etc.