Agenda item

Leslie Williams (Project Officer, Brent Council) presented a report outlining progress on the Brent Reservoir / Welsh Harp Management Plan since the last meeting of the Committee and during the 2022/23 year to date. The Management Plan is jointly managed by the three mainland-holding organisations: Brent Council, the London Borough of Barnet, and the Canal & River Trust.

He noted that the vision group includes the 3 main landowners as well as Thames 21, the London wildlife trust and The Greater London Authority and noted that progress is being made with a brief expected in early December and a public exhibition to be held in the spring. The Canal and River Trust will host the vision and a brief overview will be put on their website for the public’s information.

Mr Williams informed that the work is continuing on the management plan with partners and the updated work is appended to the report which includes some of the main issues that affect the Welsh Harp.

Visits during the summer of 2021 and 2022 indicated that the previous work on the northern shore at the Welsh Harp Open Space has benefited a range of plants within the marshland vegetation along the edge of the reservoir while retaining a variety of trees on the shoreline landscape.

The Council is continuing to consider options for the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre site. Officers from Commercial Property are also liaising with enquirers to understand their aspirations and requirements on a non-committal basis. Thames 21 are providing some limited services for the year of 2022/23 while discussions continue for a longer-term solution for the future of the Centre. Mr Williams thanked those who gave feedback and encouraged any further ideas to be sent to him.

The Healthy Walks scheme has continued with walkers following social distancing guidelines and also advised there have been some discussions with the Environment Agency on the trash screens as there has been evidence of unauthorised activity.

He informed of a pollution incident in the wooded marshland between the trading estate, whereby it is possible that cement dust has gone into the water. The dust is not organic, or oil based so the Environment Agency continue to monitor this. 

Mr Williams also informed that the team are working on a walking route from Wembley Park to the Welsh Harp and back to provide a greener route. He is hoping for this to be signposted in the new year.

Brent are also currently looking at a longer term plan for the Staples Corner site with visibility of the Welsh Harp and access for visitors.

Doug Alexander confirmed that the field team clear the Priestly Way trash screen regularly however digging works are taking place outside the gate restricting access and if this is ongoing it could impact the collection of the trash screen and see a significant amount of waste and vegetation accumulating which could lead to increased amounts of litter reaching the Welsh Harp itself and also could lead to an increased risk of flooding. It was agreed that Doug would send the details of this to Mr Williams for his information and see if this can be resolved.

ACTION: DOUG ALEXANDER

Manfred Starkl informed that he and other members of the Welsh Harp Sailing Association usually help with the removal of the trees that are blocking the shaded areas and asked if those trees which are due to be cut down can be marked up with paint so the other groups on the Welsh Harp can agree to this also and save any confusion for the volunteers who will be carrying out this. Mr Williams noted that discussions on the trees continue with all the groups on the Welsh Harp on this issue.  

John Shepherd asked about the Barnet side and that discussions had previously taken place with the developers at Brent Cross regarding silt traps and if there is any update on this to stop the silt coming down into the harp. Mr Williams advised that he was unaware of these discussions however was aware that the silt was coming from the Staples Corner area. The Chair advised that she had also raised this issue previously and that an update would come to the next meeting.

ACTION: MS BRIDGER

John Shepherd also asked about the strategic review of future planning for the harp and if this is still current. Mr Williams noted that an external consultant had collated the overall vison and that there had been some consultations in the earlier part of this year with wider discussions as the material available opens the public exhibition.