Proposal for Redevelopment of Clapton Pond

The following document is a Brief for the Production of a ‘Costed Restoration and Management Plan’.

The Management Committee are seeking tenders for the preparation of this plan, to provide professional design services in accordance with this brief.

The Site (See Plans):

The focus of the study area are two green spaces in Lower Clapton Road, the southern of which has a large pond with a concrete basin. The open space is owned and managed by the local authority. The site has been a public open space for more than four centuries; Clapton is an ancient hamlet in the former parish of St. John at Hackney.

Its current layout would appear to date from c.1900, when the area was a busy hub for trams. Today it is still a transport hub, where several well-used bus routes cross; the no. 38 bus (operated by Arriva) terminates here.

The two spaces and adjacent townscape are a designated Conservation Area, and the green space provides an attractive, and memorable, setting for a number of listed buildings, including Pond House, a grade II*, late Georgian villa on the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register.

The Anglican Church of St. James is another prominent building, providing an architecturally distinguished backdrop to the Pond. It is also home to the Huddleston Centre. The Medina Mosque is nearby, less than 100 metres from the northernmost part of the green space.

The Issues:  

The Pond has suffered from a lack of attention over many years, and this is reflected in poor quality hard landscaping and plantings that are in need of enhancement. High traffic volumes are intrusive (visually and in terms of noise). Litter and anti-social behaviour (drinking in the southern half) are particular problems, with consequent fears for public safety. Related to this are current lighting regimes – inside and outside the park. There maintenance regimes for the open space and surrounding public highways are not coordinated.

Another pressing issue is the management of the Pond itself. The build up of algae (pond weed) is a persistent problem, which blocks a recycling water system that the local authority has recently installed. Litter also accumulates in the water, having been blown from the surrounding paths.

The Objectives of the Proposed Study

A Restoration and Management Plan (RMP) is sought from suitably qualified consultants. Its object is to improve the attractiveness of the Pond and its setting, enhancing its historic character and preserving the special interest of the Conservation Area and the setting of nearby listed buildings.

The study will achieve these objectives whilst improving the amenities provided by this green space all members of the local community.

We require advice in a number of areas, including:

-         An historical overview of the site’s development and notes on previous planting regimes, as well as an analysis of the age and character of the current layout/planting scheme;

-         A ‘green’ water management strategy for the Pond itself;

-         Identification of constraints and opportunities;

-         Advice on appropriate planting, taking into account current and historic treatments;

-         Definition of a suitable management practice, with reference to current and likely future resources and uses;

-         Advice on the current layout of the park, and in particular the scope for uniting the two spaces by means of road closure.

-         This advice will also consider opportunities for reducing the impact of social drinkers at the southern end of the park and other design measures aimed at reducing the spread of litter by means of planting or other means as advised;

-         Consideration of means to offset the impact of high traffic volumes (visual and noise effects);

-         Scope for feature lighting inside the Pond, which will also enhance perceptions of personal safety and provide an attractive night-time feature in the locality;

-         Comment on the lighting regime around the Pond, and on the configuration of carriageways and footways;

-         The interaction of the above with established and proposed bus stops;

-         Put forward proposals to preserve or enhance the special interest of the open space, whilst addressing its role in the wider community. This may entail departures from an historically accurate layout; any such departures should be justified;

-         Identify a location for a community notice board;

-         Present proposals as a series of phased projects, with indicative costings to be developed in further phases. Note: there is funding secured to through Clapton NRF to spend up to £30,000.00 (inclusive of VAT and all disbursements) on capital works to the Pond by the close of the financial year 2003-2004. CPNAG have identified measures for controlling algal growth in the Pond itself as a priority within this budget as well as plantings.

Other Client Requirements:

In preparing the study the consultant will specifically comment on the following:

-         Briefly summarise the historical development of the site using readily available, secondary sources, including: historic maps, the relevant sections of the Victoria County History, Buildings of England and Survey of London: Brooke House volume (London County Council) and historic photos held by the Hackney Archives Department. Note: the local authority has commissioned consultants to prepare a conservation area appraisal which will set out the historic development. There is also a feasibility study, commissioned by English Heritage, for Pond House, which contains a great deal of historical information.

-         Identify evolution of historic landscape schemes as recorded in the above;

-         Survey existing landscape features and elements (hard and soft), and identify any of historic significance;

-         Report on current maintenance regimes and practices.

As the intention is to submit the proposals to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the report should present core findings using the Conservation Plan methodology: Analysis, Statement of Significance; Issues; Proposals.

Consultants are invited to state experience of HLF funded projects.

Other Relevant Studies to Be Consulted:

There are a number of other initiatives being progressed which CPNAG expect the consultant to take into account when preparing their advice, specifically:

-         A Conservation Area Appraisal is currently being commissioned by the local planning authority; liaison with the consultants and responsible officer will be required;

-         Transport for London’s emerging plans for the redesign of the Lea Bridge Roundabout, north of the pond, as a bus stand, and any consequent effects on the Pond and its setting;

-         The Community Heritage Project to be commissioned by the CPNAG in the coming months;

-         The Feasibility Study for the Repair and Refurbishment of Pond House, commissioned by English Heritage in consultation with the Hackney Society;

-         Significant, recent planning permissions and opportunity sites on the verge of the study area.

-         Minutes of CPNAG as well as the notes prepared summarising the findings of a community planning event run by the Civic Trust in May 2002.

Consultations:

The consultant will begin the study with an evening public consultation session (publicity to be arranged by CPNAG); this is to be run along the lines of a community planning event and results compared with our initial public meeting of May 2002. The consultant’s fee proposal should also allow for a presentation of findings and recommendations at a similar meeting. During the study period the consultant will meet with representatives of CPNAG (members of the Management Committee) for an informal discussion of preliminary recommendations. Venue to be agreed.

The consultant will be expected to liase with Council officers representing the parks service and the planning department (conservation and urban design) to indicate the scope of emerging proposals. The consultant will discuss with officers of the planning authority the possibility of the plan being adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance. The consultant should also contact the UDP review team to determine what proposals are emerging for Local Development Frameworks or Area Plans affecting the study area.

Presentation and Format of Report

The study should be presented as an attractive, desk-top published, A4 document (landscape format acceptable), with illustrations and a list of sources, in addition to any appendices relevant to the study (including records of public consultation). There should be one drawing summarising the proposals, and another indicating how these can be executed in phases, with indicative costings appended or handled as annotations.

Proposed report structure:

-         Summary setting out vision;

-         Scope and objectives of study, and statement on consultation;

-         Analysis of historical development and past planting regimes, as well as analysis of current regime (by drawings supplemented by text and historic and current photos or sketches);

-          Interest of open space, historic, landscape and role in community; Issues and opportunities;

-         Phased proposals with indicative costings. Note phase one, noted above, to be sufficiently detailed to enable contractor (assumed local authority parks service) to implement.

Note: the above is merely suggested. CPNAG will be advised by the consultant on its suitability, bearing in mind future funding objectives.

It is vital that all illustrations should reproduce clearly as black and white photocopies. The plan should be submitted as a draft for comment (twelve copies; plus a master). The proposed fee should include for these copies and any earlier consultation drafts. We will require twelve final copies.

Programme

The study will be executed within three months from inception. Timing of public consultations to be agreed at inception meeting.

Guide Price and Deadline

We are seeking a lump sum fee to a maximum of £10,000 inclusive of VAT and all disbursements. Submissions will be judged on the basis of quality and experience of delivering similar projects.

Submissions must be received by 10 June; the successful consultant will be notified within one week of submission.

Client Contacts:

To discuss any aspects of the brief, please contact:

Rachel Short (Vice Chair)

Tel: 020 8525 1978

Rachelshort42@hotmail.com

This Page was last update: Monday, September 22, 2003 at 11:30:00 PM
This page was originally posted: 9/22/2003; 11:07:57 PM.
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Neighbourhood Action Group

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