In a landmark agreement, Haringey Council has secured almost two acres of additional land around the edges of The Paddock as public open space.
The deal with Thames Water will enable the final phase of an ambitious scheme that is already transforming the nature reserve for the benefit of Tottenham Hale residents.
Enhancements will include the creation of new pathways through previously inaccessible private land and connection to the recently installed Paddock footbridge to Hale Wharf.
Cllr Ruth Gordon, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy, said:
This announcement is just the latest step in making our vision of a fairer, greener Tottenham Hale a reality.
The flagship green spaces project at The Paddock is creating the borough’s first new nature reserve in more than a decade and honours our commitment to reinvest land receipts into securing long term and direct benefits for local residents.
It has been shaped with the community for the community with the extensive improvements rooted in what they have told us they would like to see now and in the future.
Rebecca Kennelly, The Conservation Volunteers CEO, said:
The Conservation Volunteers has worked in close partnership with the London Borough of Haringey for over 20 years, helping us to connect thousands of people with their local green spaces supporting both nature and local residents’ health and wellbeing.
We are proud to continue this beneficial relationship with these exciting next steps at The Paddock, which will allow us to bring Haringey residents closer to the nature on their doorsteps and contribute to its protection.
Alongside this open space project, the council is delivering a series of significant placemaking benefits for the area including up to 600 new council homes and the Welbourne Health Centre, which opened its doors in the summer.
The Paddock project masterplan, which has been developed through extensive engagement with the community and stakeholders, is comprehensively enhancing the nature reserve with upgraded entrances, accessible paths, tree planting and landscaping, a bird hide, signage and interpretation, benches, litter bins, and new temporary accommodation to provide enhanced educational facilities.
Meanwhile, The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) will take on an innovative self-financing 25-year lease of The Paddock that will see the environmental charity raise external sponsorship to steward the open space, build a volunteer network and deliver a comprehensive schools and engagement programme.
The exciting final phase of The Paddock works will get under way shortly and is expected to be completed in late 2025.
Part of the funding for the project comes from Section 106 planning obligations from the Hale Wharf development secured by the council’s planning department.
