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As part of our continuing determination to reduce carbon footprints, we’ve been working with colleagues at the exciting Down Lane Park improvement project to re-purpose excess soil generated by their current improvement works.

The Paddock requires additional soil in the next phase of landscape works to raise ground levels to create pathways that are suitable for disabled people, as well as for making other changes to achieve the new landscape designs. The soil from Down Lane Park is ideal for this purpose as it is locally sourced, certified contaminant-free and has a suitable composition.

The excess soil has been generated by the first phase of works at Down Lane Park, which involves excavations to install new Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) alongside Ashley Road. Re-purposing the soil for use at The Paddock will reduce the need for additional soil when The Paddock’s main landscaping works begin in the summer.

This will also have the following benefits:

• Reduced vehicle movements

• Reduced vehicle emissions

• Recycling of local soil for re-use in the local area

• Reduced costs for both projects

The transfer of soil will take place over a period of two weeks, starting on Saturday 10th February and being completed by Monday 26th February. This will involve up to four lorry deliveries per hour for approximately one week, between 9.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.

There will be reduced access to The Paddock from 10th - 26th February, as part of the site will have to be closed for health and safety reasons. This will affect the vehicle gates at the western end of the site (near the service-garage), which will remain closed during the works. Sole public access will be through the pedestrian gate at the eastern end of the site (closer to Walthamstow Wetlands).

We understand that temporary disruptions may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation as we strive to enhance our community spaces for the benefit of all residents.

The Paddock has fully reopened to the public following the completion of the first phase of improvement works. Thanks to the diligent efforts of specialist contractors Ebsford Environmental Ltd., the site has been cleared of Japanese Knotweed and fly-tipping, while simultaneously establishing a new meadow and wetland habitats for our native species to thrive.

To commemorate this significant milestone and express our gratitude to the community that has supported us throughout this journey, in partnership with The Conservation Volunteers, we organised a meadow planting event on Saturday 27 May. Cllr Ruth Gordon, Cabinet Member for Council House-building, Placemaking and Local Economy was joined by Cllr Sheila Peacock, Cllr Sean O'Donovan and members of the public to see the transformation, hear about the exciting changes that have taken place and explore the renewed nature reserve.

The event was a testament to the power of collective effort and shared appreciation for the environment. It was heartening to the local community, united in their dedication to preserving the beauty of The Paddock, coming together to contribute to the planting of the newly created meadow areas. On a sunny bank holiday weekend, we revelled in the joy of communal work, forging connections, and cultivating a renewed sense of pride in this green space.

We extend our thanks to each and every person who joined us on this memorable day. Your presence, enthusiasm, and unwavering support were invaluable. Through your participation, you have showcased your commitment to nurturing our natural spaces and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.

We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated team at Ebsford Environmental Ltd. Their expertise, passion, and attention to detail have breathed new life into The Paddock, ensuring that it remains a sanctuary for both wildlife and visitors alike.

The first phase of the comprehensive enhancement scheme to improve The Paddock community nature reserve has now been completed, enabling The Paddock to fully re-open to the public on Thursday 11 May 2023.

Our specialist contractors, Ebsford Environmental Ltd., have successfully cleared the significant Japanese Knotweed infestations and decades of fly-tipping that have blighted the site. Using a tried and tested ‘cell burial’ method of excavating, sealing and burying the Japanese Knotweed in a geo-textile membrane, The Paddock has been largely cleared of this pernicious invasive species that was gradually colonising the site and depriving native species of their habitat.

The extent of the Japanese Knotweed and the scale of the historic fly-tipping became clear once the contractors commenced work on site. With each area of Knotweed that was excavated, tonnes of historic fly-tipping and dumped building waste was discovered, making the task of burying the Knotweed rhizomes more complicated. The contractors even discovered enough dumped vehicle parts to re-build a car! Eventually, 30 tonnes of rubbish had to be removed and disposed of appropriately off-site before the cell burial could be completed.

The cleared Knotweed has now been encapsulated in 6,400 sq.m. of geo-textile membrane, creating a secure cell with a life of 50 years. The cell has been capped with over 3,300 tonnes of soil, delivered to the site in 234 truckloads sourced from a local supplier to keep environmental impacts to a minimum.

The land remediation works have enabled the creation of a new meadow, a habitat that has been in drastic decline in the UK, as well as new ‘wet meadow’ or boggy areas. The meadow will be planted with wildflowers to improve the biodiversity of The Paddock, while the wet meadows will help diversify the range of habitats on site. Ebsford Environmental have kindly sponsored and undertaken hydro-seeding of the meadow, ensuring that the planting can become established through the Spring.

Due to the challenges of undertaking excavations close to the waterway, some of the Japanese Knotweed infestations close to the River Lee have been left in situ. These will be treated through a sensitive chemical treatment programme to avoid the environmental impact of major excavations.

With the completion of this first phase of enhancement works, plans for the main works to improve the path network, entrance areas, visitor facilities and landscaping can now be progressed for implementation in Autumn 2023.

The Paddock re-opens fully to visitors on 11 May 2023, with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) re-starting a full progamme of on-site volunteering activities. To celebrate the completion of the first phase works, there will be a community event on 27 May 2023 (12 noon – 1.30pm) open to the whole community, where families and individuals can get hands-on helping TCV to plant the meadow areas, take part in a crafts workshop, and go on a self-guided trail around The Paddock. The Paddock Design Team will also be on hand to share information about the Paddock Enhancement Programme and the updated Masterplan, which has been refined through two rounds of community engagement in the winter of 2020 and Summer 2021.

The Japanese Knotweed and land remediation works at The Paddock have now been successfully completed, enabling the site to fully re-open to the public on Thursday 11th May 2023.

Please note that there will be no public access to The Paddock between 5th - 10th May, to enable site safety and security measures to be put in place to protect the newly seeded meadow areas and new landforms.