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Waterloo Open Spaces Audit 2004
Download Space for All here Space for All
Other Open Spaces and the Open Space Audit
WCDG spent much time this year as partners to a WCRT-funded project
lead by the Waterloo Green Trust to produce a full open space
audit.
The audit, undertaken by consultants Farrer Huxley, is extraordinarily
detailed, identifying 103 spaces, many small but in total amounting
to the equivalent of 41 Trafalgar Squares!
The audit should inform decisions about where capital investment
should be targeted as well as informing planning decisions.
WCDG continues to work with WGT on developing an open space strategy:
should we try and develop a strategic body to help direct investment
and lead on managing the spaces?
How best to ensure that things happen?
WCRT are funding consultants Civic Regeneration to progress a
strategy.
The Friends of Archbishops Park have been progressing a management
plan and are currently looking at the feasibility for a café/
social enterprise on the dilapidated toilet block or the vacant
park-keepers house.
WCDG have recently joined a steering group with the Friends, Lambeth
Council and Groundwork.
Paris Gardens is another site earmarked for public open space
for over 20 years with no progress to date.
The Colombo Centre received planning permission in 2003 to turn
Paris Gardens into artificial surface ball courts with fencing
and spotlighting, and to refurbish Hatfields’ hard-court
space similarly.
The permissions have not been implemented however due to the failure
of either Lambeth or Southwark Council to agree the lease on the
land.
Meanwhile costed plans for improvements to Ufford Street Recreation
Space and Hatfields have been developed by WGT, and we hope to
work with local residents and the Green Paris Gardens group to
take this forward.
The Nautical School is also proposing to provide significant funding
to improve the northern end of Hatfields provided that they are
able to exclusively use the space for up to 18 months as an overspill
playground while building works on the school site are underway.
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