Photo: HS2 London‐West Midlands Environmental Statement Non‐technical summary, (2013) [ONLINE]. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/259487/NTS_for_web_ES_3.0.0.pdf [Accessed 13 January 15]

This is a hand‐out for members of the Select Committee as an aid to support the visit to the Colne Valley.

This hand‐out focuses on the side of the Colne Valley.

Stop 2 ‐ Savay Farm / Lake (South Buckinghamshire)

1 Google Earth image of Savay Farm / Lake

2 Savay Farm, Denham 3 Savay Lake, Denham

Our first stop is at Savay Farm 300m from the line of HS2. This includes a Grade 1 listed formerly moated manor house of historical and political interest, previously being the home of Sir Oswald Mosley. It also includes Grade 2 listed structures, listed burial mounds and a stone circle within the grounds. Savay Lake is a premier carp fishing lake which will be impacted hugely by the scheme. Savay Farm and the nearby properties on Savay Lane will be adversely affected by noise and have no mitigation under the current plans. If this is not provided suitable mitigation should be drawn up to conserve these recreational, historical and residential settings. Mitigation is needed to conserve the recreation historic and residential settings.

1 Source: “Savay Farm, Denham”, (2013), 51°34’ 54.91”N 0°29’22.18”W. Google Earth. July 19, 2013. January 9 2015. 2 Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society, (2014), Savay Farm [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.bucksas.org.uk/hbgprojects/hs2bccmitigationblueprint.html [Accessed 09 January 15] 3 Cardinal 55, (2010) Savay Lake [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/40381348 [Accessed 09 January 15] 2 Stop 3 ‐ Map of SSSI

3 Stop 4 ‐ Stop near A412 ‐ at Denham Water Ski Club (South Buckinghamshire)

Colne Valley Viaduct

The Colne Valley Viaduct will run for 3.4km through the Colne Valley Park and its open landscape. Within Buckinghamshire it runs 150m from the Wyatts Covert Mobile Home and Caravan site, 100m from Weybeards Cottages and 150m from Denham Grove Hotel and Tilehouse Lodge in Tilehouse Lane. This will be a dominant structure and will have a severe detrimental impact on the Colne Valley Park which could be avoided by provision of a tunnel under the Colne Valley. If this is not possible then an international competition for a world class design for the Viaduct which ensures that its impact on the locality and sensitivity of the area is minimised should take place. The Viaduct will also have negative impacts on the biodiversity and tranquility of the area adversely affecting the many recreational activities in the Park which should be further considered and fully investigated by HS2 ltd in partnership with the local authorities.

Broadwater Lake Nature Reserve, part of the Mid Colne Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

HS2 will run through the SSSI and cross the River Colne a few metres behind the location where this photo was taken.

4 Denham Waterski Club

The Denham Waterski Club is adversely affected by the construction of a viaduct including access, land‐take, the loss of trees, the increase in noise and loss of tranquility. The whole site is located within the Colne Valley Site of Specific Scientific interest (SSSI) designated to protect the large numbers of overwintering birds. The Colne Valley Viaduct North Launch Satellite Compound is located almost opposite the site and this along with another Satellite Compound will mean a huge increase in construction traffic within the area. This impact needs to be mitigated to ensure that access to the Ski Club is not constrained and the recreational activity can continue unhindered.

4 Denham Waterski Club

5 Google Earth image of Denham Waterski Club

4 Denham Waterski Club, (2014), Lake 005 [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.denhamwaterski.com/Photo_Gallery/Pages/The_Lake.html#4 [Accessed 09 January 15].

5 Source: “Denham Waterski Club”, (2013), 51°35’ 42.42”N 0°30’12.92”W. Google Earth. July 19, 2013. January 9 2015. 5 Stop 5 ‐ A412 (South Buckinghamshire)

There are a number of ancient woods, including Ranston Covert and publicly owned Northmoor Hill that are affected by the scheme in this area either through loss of woodland or through additional noise. Ancient woodland is an irreplaceable resource which has a direct impact on the ecology of the area.

They also provide a valuable community asset within the Colne Valley Park. Mitigation for the loss of ancient woodland is impossible to achieve, therefore the impact on ancient woodland should be as minimal as possible and the effects on adjacent woodland as a community resource need to be mitigated.

6 Northmoor Hill Wood, Denham, Buckinghamshire

6 Linberry, (2011), Northmoor Hill Wood, Denham, Buckinghamshire [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/76225492?source=wapi&referrer=kh.google.com [Accessed 09 January 15] 6 Stop 6 ‐ Old Orchard Pub (London Borough of )

The View from the Old Orchard across Hillingdon, Bucks and Herts shows the clear profile of the Colne Valley which comprises the floodplain of the Colne approximately 1km wide between wooded and farmed chalk slopes that rise to a plateau. This landscape on the edge of London is a living, working environment that is also used for recreation & nature study. The Colne Valley Park Community Interest Company (CIC) aims to protect and enhance the area for the benefit of the 3 million+ people who live within 10 miles of the Park. The CIC’s 60 member organisations, its 6 objectives and a map of the Park can be seen in appendix 1.

7 Google Earth image of The Old Orchard and Broadwater Lake

7 Source: “The Old Orchard Pub”, (2014), 51°36’ 42.24”N 0°29’44.33”W. Google Earth. February 16, 2014. January 12 2015. 7 Other locations in the Colne Valley not seen today

View from Old Shire Lane

8 Old Shire Lane, Denham

All of the fields in this photo and the surrounding landscape behind the photographer will be required during construction. The Chiltern Tunnel portal, buildings and construction compounds will be located to the left of the photo. The Old Shire Lane bridleway will be closed during construction.

8 Julian, (2014), Old Shire Lane [ONLINE]. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/HS2AA/app_371797955862 [Accessed 12 January 15] 8 View across the Colne Valley from Tilehouse Lane

Tilehouse Lane looking towards M25

A construction compound will be located at the bottom of the slope. HS2 will run through the trees and into the field with large earthworks and a noise barrier. The path along the tree line will be closed during construction.

View across the Colne Valley from Coppermill Down (Hillingdon, looking towards Herts & Bucks)

HS2 will run across the far valley side with all of the fields between the valley floor and the M25 being required during construction.

Mount Pleasant, Colne Valley

9 (Hillingdon)

Grand Union Canal

9 Google Earth image of proposed viaduct

The Viaduct and diverted powerlines will cross the canal. Approximately 2km of the towpath (footpath U75) will be stopped up during construction.

9 Source: “Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre”, (2014), 51°34’52.31”N 0°28’49.34”W. Google Earth. July 19, 2014. January 12 2015. 10 Appendix 1 COLNE VALLEY PARK Community Interest Company

Members of the Colne Valley Park CIC are:

 Affinity Water  Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre  Amey  Hillingdon Ramblers  Blenheim Angling Society  Inland Waterways Association  Buckinghamshire Advertiser (Middlesex Branch)  Buckinghamshire Conservation Trust  Iver & District Countryside Association  Buckinghamshire County Council  Iver Parish Council  Buckinghamshire Golf Club  Lakeside EFW  Chiltern Society  London Borough of Hillingdon  Colnbrook Community Association  London Wildlife Trust  Colnbrook Community Partnership  Maple Lodge Conservation Society  Colnbrook with Poyle Parish Parish  National Trust Council  North Harrow Waltonians Angling  Colne Catchment Action Network Society  Colne Valley Fisheries Consultative  Richings Park Residents Association  Denham Parish Council  Waterways Trust  Denham Water Ski Club  & District Natural History Society  Earthworks Conservation Volunteers  Trust  Conservation Panel  Runnymede & Maple Cross Ringing  Eastcote Residents Association Group  Environment Agency  Rural Development Forum  Fisheries Inn Angling Society  Slough Borough Council  Friends of the Colne Valley Park  Slough Local Access Forum  Friends of the Great Barn at  South Bucks District Council  Spelthorne Natural History Society  Friends of Pinn Meadows  Surrey County Council  Friends of Stockers Lake  Sustrans  Groundwork  Groundwork South  Rovers Angling &  Grundon Conservation Society  Airport Limited  West London Group of the Ramblers  Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust  West London Model Aeroplane Club  Hillingdon Canals Partnership  Willowbank Association Limited  Hillingdon Narrowboat Association  Wraysbury Parish Council  Hillingdon Natural History Society

Appendix 1 COLNE VALLEY PARK Community Interest Company

OBJECTIVES

1: To maintain and enhance the landscape, historic environment and waterscape of the Park in terms of their scenic and conservation value and their overall amenity.

2: To safeguard the countryside of the Park from inappropriate development. Where development is permissible it will encourage the highest possible standards of design.

3: To conserve and enhance biodiversity within the Park through the protection and management of its species, habitats and geological features.

4: To provide opportunities for countryside recreation and ensure that facilities are accessible to all.

5: To achieve a vibrant and sustainable rural economy, including farming and forestry, underpinning the value of the countryside.

6: To encourage community participation including volunteering and environmental education. To promote the health and social well‐being benefits that access to high quality green space brings.