Dukes Meadows Base Line Review & Stakeholder

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW & STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY

LONDON BOROUGH HOUNSLOW

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.1 Client Consultant

London Borough Hounslow Around the Block Ltd (In association with t: 078879928965 Public Health and Leisure J & L Gibbons and MTW Leisure Consultants) e: [email protected] Head of Parks Development – www.aroundtheblockltd.co.uk

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY CONTENTS

PROJECT INTRODUCTION P.4 3.3 Leaseholder shared areas of concern – conclusions P.4 8 Project aims, objectives and outputs P.5 3.4 Parks Management and leases P.49 3.5 Park Users and Audience development P.49 1. REGIONAL AND LOCAL CONTEXT P.7 3.6 Audience development conclusions and recommendations P.6 4 3.7 Sports development & facilities P.68 1.1 Introduction P.8 1.2 Dukes Meadows description P.8 4. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT P.70 1.3 London Strategic context P.9 1.4Local strategic context P.14 4.1 Introduction P.71 1.5 Conclusions and recommendations P.20 4.2 Stakeholder engagement mechanisms P.72 4.3 External Stakeholder consultation P.74 2. SITE ANALYSIS P.21 5. CONCLUSIONS: 2.1 Existing Facilities P.22 A SHARED VISION FOR DUKES MEADOWS P.75 2.2 Overview of Land ownership and leases P.24 2.3 Heritage Assets/Historical Background P.25 5.1 Shared Vision P.76 2.4 Natural Assets & Biodiversity P.29 5.2 Vision Statement P.76 2.5 Accessibility & Transport P.30 5.3 Masterplanning approach P.7 7 2.6 Landscape Character Areas P.31 5.4 Audience Development approach P.78 2.7 S.W.O.T analysis P.34 2.8 Conclusions and recommendations P.42 Appendix 1: Stakeholder identification P.79 & Stakeholder groupings 3. BASE LINE REVIEW P.45 3.1 Introduction P.4 6 3.2 Leaseholder Interviews P.46

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY PROJECT INTRODUCTION PROJECT INTRODUCTION

Around the Block and associates, MTW Dukes Meadow is of significant importance Project aims and objectives Leisure Consultants and J & L Gibbons were as a strategic sports hub, with commercial, commissioned in February 2016 to undertake educational and voluntary activities taking To develop a stakeholder strategy that will a baseline review and stakeholder strategy for place, that is popular and widely used by include: Dukes Meadows, London Borough Hounslow. local visitors and residents. It is also of • User analysis and baseline data review strategic importance in relation to the to define needs analysis, current and The London Borough of Hounslow aims to All London Green Grid, Thames Path and new audiences, and current management develop a masterplan for the whole of the biodiversity. and maintenance operations Dukes Meadow area, which fulfils the Councils obligations stated in the Local Plan (September Around the Block were asked to develop • Develop a stakeholders engagement 2015) as: a report that covered the following aims strategy, which addresses governance’ and objectives. management models, identifies issues, 'Preserving and enhancing the semi-open concerns, opportunities and constraints landscape in the south for the wide variety for the site of sports and leisure activities that take place; continuing the development of a sporting hub'. • Develop a common vision for the site which will lead to an agreed masterplan As a precursor to this masterplanning work • Make key recommendations and action the London Borough Hounslow needed to gain planning for long term management a deeper understanding of the Dukes Meadows and maintenance of the site site as a whole, its opportunities, constraints, challenges, aspirations and ambitions of its key This report does not make design recom- stakeholders. mendations or attempt to develop design solutions or masterplanning prescriptions. This work will form the next phase of the project.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.5 The River Thames from Chiswick towards Battersea Duke's 1 Meadows from the west, 1939 © Historic England. Licensor canmore.org.uk

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.6 1.REGIONAL & LOCAL CONTEXT 1. REGIONAL & LOCAL CONTEXT

The London Borough 1. 1 Introduction 1.2 Dukes Meadows description of Hounslow is home In understanding Dukes Meadows a review was The London Borough of Hounslow is home undertaken of relevant policies, strategies and to one of the largest amounts of open space to one of the largest previous studies and documents that relate of any borough in London. The Dukes Meadows specifically to Dukes Meadows and /or to the site area is approximately 75.5Ha/ 187 acres amounts of open local and regional context in which it falls. including private and public assets. space of any borough Overall Dukes Meadows has a number of Formerly part of the Devonshire Estate, Dukes in London. The Dukes themed considerations related to its manage- Meadow is a riverside park either side of the ment, enhancement and development that railway line between Barnes and Chiswick Meadows site area have local and regional resonance. bordered by a loop of the River Thames in the south and the Great Chertsey arterial road in is approximately • Protection and enhancement of heritage the North. Chiswick rail station is 1.5 Km from 75.5Ha/ 187 acres • Preservation, development and management the site and Barnes Bridge and Mortlake railway of landscape character and biodiversity station are over 2km from the site by car or a including private short walk across Barnes Bridge footbridge. • Development and management of sport and public assets. and leisure facilities to enhance the public Dukes Meadows has been an open space health and wellbeing offer to park users throughout its history and, before flood and visitors defenses and embankments were built, it was prone to flooding. Purchased by Chiswick Urban District Council in 1922 to preserve the land as Public Park, the site has since developed as a mixed use with private and public recreational grounds, a riverside embankment and a promenade.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.8 he park is used for leisure and sports with a The site also has access to the Thames 1.3 London Strategic context combination of public and private sport and foreshore and has a local nature reserve, leisure facilities that offer; football, cricket, Dukes Hollow which is a significant SINC site. Dukes Meadows is strategically located in four tennis, rugby, hockey, rowing and other open space and green infrastructure strategies water sports, golf, bowls and other informal Within one kilometer radius of the park there of note; recreation including a health club is a population of approximately 33,000 All London Green Grid (ALGG), and swimming pools. people. This is made up of households where 28% have children and the park itself sits the supplementary planning guidance The Dukes Meadows Trust manages part of within an LSOA deprived area. Parts of the to the London Plan the park and has invested in the development site are also designated as deficient in access Thames Strategy (Atkins, 2002), the Thames of the adventure playground, the sand pit, to nature, which is largely due to the private Path National Trail (Atkins, 2007) paddling pool, kiosk and meadow. They also nature of many of the sports clubs in the park. run the successful Farmers market. Natural Capital, Investing in a Green Infrastructure for a Future London report In addition it has three well-used and occupied (GLA and the Green Infrastructure Task Force, allotments and has a significant river meadow. 2015). There are important historical features on the site, with evidence of water management The development of a landscape masterplan features including a pump house still used to for Dukes Meadows which will follow this feed the water level at the nearby Chiswick report should acknowledge the strategic House and a bandstand built in the early 20th opportunities identified in each report to century which is still standing. maximise the local offer within the broader Arcadian Landscape setting of the River Thames.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.9 Drawing extract from All London 1 Green Grid Area Framework

The All London Green Grid – (2011) This could apply to the River Thames and Bollo Brook. The ALGG is embedded in policy as part of the London Plan promoting integrated green Opportunity 9 – To enhance and promote infrastructure. centres of sporting excellence. This specifically mentions the existing facilities Dukes Meadows is located in Area Framework at Dukes Meadows and opportunities to 9, The Arcadian Thames. promote, tennis, rowing and water sports There are 10 strategic ALGG opportunities along the Thames with the potential for identified for the Arcadian Thames area, a sports hub at Dukes Meadows. 3 of which have specific relevance to Dukes This opportunity includes both public and Meadow. private facilities.

Opportunity 1 – within the environs of Dukes Specific projects identified in the Framework Meadows to restore the lost flood plains and include: tributaries of the River Thames. • Project 9.1.2 – Thames Towpath 1 This could apply to some of the river edge and enhancements – including clean ups Strategic Corridors flat grass areas, specifically Dukes Hollow. Strategic Links and resurfacing. Metropolitan Park Opportunities Regional Park Opportunities Regional Parks Opportunity 2 – Improving recreational Metropolitan Parks • Project 9.1.55 - Dukes Meadows Riverside District Parks Local Park and Open Spaces riverside use is also identified as a strategic Small Open Spaces - Pocket Parks – recommending the development of an Other / Private Open Spaces opportunity. As part of delivering this Strategic Walking Routes integrated landscape masterplan, which will Strategic Cycling Routes opportunity the towpath is identified as a emphasise the development of a sporting key strategic recreational and sustainable hub. This stakeholder report represents transport route that should be enhanced and J & L GIBBONS Project: Drawing title: the first step of this process. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUKES MEADOWS ALGG CONTEXT URBAN DESIGN

19 SWAN YARD, Date: Scale Status: Drawing number: Rev: managed to promote the river as an active LONDON N1 1SD

T: 020 7226 1345 Notes: 24_02_16 NTS Comment Drawn: Checked: Approved: The information in this drawing is copywright of J & L Gibbons LLP Do not scale from this drawing. 599_SK_07 - All dimensions are to be veriﬁed on site prior to construction. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Rev Date Initials Description J & L Gibbons LLP to be informed of any variation between site conditions and dimensions. VB ND London Borough of Hounslow 100019263 2016 waterway. • Project 9.1.56 – Dukes Meadows – specific Ma p derived from GiGL data 2011 - © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. 100050713. All rights reserved London Development Agency 2011 heritage and landscape restoration projects.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.10 The Thames Strategy, Kew – Chelsea. the south bank towards Dukes Meadows The comprehensive report serves as an (Atkins – 2002) and historic bandstands as local landmarks, extremely useful document for enhancements and improvements to the Thames and Dukes For the purposes of this document review we • Landscape and Open Space, including Meadows. The report provides a funding studied the updated 2002 document by Atkins, restoration and enhancement of Dukes strategy, list of strategic and local projects, which comprises a comprehensive 320 page Meadows, enhancements to the sports a comprehensive list of key stakeholders and document featuring Dukes Meadows in section and playing fields, management of important a project governance structure, all relevant 4.21 – 4.25. riverbank trees and conservation of allot today. ments all at Dukes Meadows. Adjacencies The outcome of the strategy was to set, ‘A 100 to Chiswick House and Gardens are also The Thames Path National Trail, Dukes visions’, for the river corridor. The strategy noted as important between Kew and Chelsea which includes Meadows feasibility study (Atkins – 2007) Dukes Meadows outlines a number of general • Biodiversity, noting the importance of Dukes The Thames Path National Trail report at policy recommendations under 8 headings Hollow, and adjacencies such as the River Dukes Meadows was commissioned to look in the Executive summary section, page 11 Thames and the Barnes Wetland Centre, at safety and access issues related to the onwards. Thames Path. It put forward cost proposals for • Recreation and Tourism, Dukes Meadow improvements specifically focussed on traffic • The River Channel, including protection and is specifically noted for the existing water interpretation of the Thames Foreshore and sports facilities and leisure hubs with management and streetscape. review of retired defences, potential for enhancement, The options developed in the report addressed three quite different solutions; a tunnel, traffic • Heritage and Conservation, including res- • Movement, notably the Thames Path and the toration and interpretation of Barnes Rail strategic railway connection which bisects management and riverside solutions. Bridge, the site with potential to enhance Barnes Each option was costed and illustrated Bridge for pedestrian and cycle access, and was accompanied by a shopping list of • Views and Landmarks, which identifies improvements described as components. the important tree groups of Dukes • Shaping Development, the adjacencies with Meadows, important local prospects from Mortlake Pier are noted for consideration

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.11 The Tunnel option included: Each proposal could be supplemented The report identifies five objectives: by a series of optional extra improvements. A proposed tunnel under Barnes Bridge These focussed on access improvements 1. Promoting healthy living – improving health to the north of Dukes Hollow. This option and legibility but were not deemed to be outcomes by increasing physical activity, also included: a new footpath surface and integral to the proposals. reducing stress and removing pollutants. This increased width, boardwalks along sections can be delivered at Dukes Meadows by the of the river, formalisation of car park areas The report concluded that the Riverside option existing and enhanced sports facilities, the with new surfaces and improved seating. was the effective and cost efficient solution. River Thames through recreation, use of open spaces and the natural assets of the site. The traffic management option included: The same issues identified during the Alterations to pedestrian and vehicle use of study also apply today if this option were 2. Strengthening Resilient Living – keeping Dan Mason’s Drive. In addition to the option to be taken forward, which are specifically the city cool, its air clean, and protecting it above and excluding the tunnel the proposals related to the preservation of natural assets from flooding. The can be delivered through included a vehicle barrier and turning point at Dukes Meadows during the design and the tree planting and other habitats at Dukes and adjustments to kerb lines with footway implementation of a cantilevered bridge link Meadows, the flood defences and the potential width enhancements. under Barnes Bridge. to recreate areas of periodically flooded wet meadows within the site. The Riverside option included: Natural Capital, Investing in a Green Infrastructure for a Future London 3. Encourage Active Living – increasing levels A proposal that focussed on keeping the of walking and cycling. This can be delivered Thames Path as close to the banks of the This report covers many broader topics that primarily through enhancement of the Thames Thames as possible. This proposal included a have a direct influence on how a masterplan Path, which already used for these purposes, cantilevered bridge under the Barnes Bridge. for Dukes Meadows should be developed to but through improved access, safety and It also included the principle components of create an exemplar of green infrastructure in quality of the landscape setting more users the Tunnel option excluding the tunnel itself. London. could be encouraged to take up walking and cycling in Dukes Meadows.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.12 1 Landscape base plan 2 Nature reserve 4 River

3 Walking

BURLINGTON LANE THE FOOD MARKET EDENSOR ROAD (SUNDAYS)

STUDIOS

BOWLING GREEN

BURLINGTON LANE PADDLING POOL & STAVELEY ROAD REFRESHMENTS DUKES MEADOWS KIOSK COMMUNITY

CENTRE PROMENADE APPROACH ROAD

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD

SPENCER ROAD

DUKES MEADOWS ALLOTMENTS

BOLTON ROAD 10 RIVERSIDE DRIVE

RIVERSIDE RECREATION GROUND

RIVERSIDE DRIVE

RIVERSIDE SPORTS GROUND

STAVELEY GARDENS

THE CIVIL SERVICE SPORTS GROUND & CLUBHOUSE CAVENDISH ROAD

CHERTSEY ROAD ALLOTMENTS

HARTINGTON ROAD

RIVERSIDE RAQUET CENTRE

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD

THE PROMENADE

RIVERSIDE LANDS SPORTS FIELDS

THE PROMENADE

DAN MASON DRIVE

CIVIL SERVICE BOAT HOUSE & SLIPWAY 2 3 PAVILION / CLUBHOUSE TIDEWAY SCULLERS EMANUEL NEW BOATHOUSE SCHOOL BOAT HOUSE THE IBIS SPORTS GROUND

DUKES MEADOW CHISWICK BRIDGE HOCKEY PITCH

THE PROMENADE ALLOTMENTS

TIDEWAY SCULLERS DUKES HOLLOW BOATHOUSE LOCAL NATURE RESERVE

CHISWICK BOATHOUSE

THE PROMENADE ALLOTMENTS DAN MASON DRIVE THE TERRACE

MORTLAKE HIGH STREET

DUKES MEADOWS STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY STUDY AREA

KEY

Council owned land

Sites not leased or in the Parks Management Contract

J & L GIBBONS Project: Drawing title:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUKES MEADOWS LANDSCAPE BASEPLAN URBAN DESIGN 4

19 SWAN YARD, Date: Scale Status: Drawing number: Rev: LONDON N1 1SD

T: 020 7226 1345 Notes: 24_02_16 1:2500 @ A1 Comment Drawn: Checked: Approved: The information in this drawing is copywright of J & L Gibbons LLP Do not scale from this drawing. 599_SK_01 G All dimensions are to be veriﬁed on site prior to construction. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Rev Date Initials Description J & L Gibbons LLP to be informed of any variation between site conditions and dimensions. VB ND London Borough of Hounslow 100019263 2016

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.13 4. Creating Living Spaces – enhancing natural 1.4 Local strategic context II listed and the Former Civil Service Sports processes for the benefit of people and wildlife Club pavilion and changing rooms which were and conserving the most special landscapes, Planning context/designations considered for listing by Historic England. habitats and species. At Dukes Meadows the focus of this objective would be directly The planning framework for the London The riverbank is considered a Nature related to Dukes Hollow and the important Borough of Hounslow is the Local Plan which Conservation Area and also a designated habitats in that location. There opportunities was adopted in 2015. The site is defined as cycle route. to create further diversification across the Metropolitan Open Land, and is in the Thames Dukes Hollow is recognised as a Local Nature whole of Dukes Meadows. Policy Area and in Flood Zone 3b meaning that any development will generally be resisted. Reserve and SINC site of London importance. 5. Enhancing Living Space – providing a range Dukes Hollow is also recognised by the of outdoor space for cultural, civic, learning Dukes Meadows is an allocated site in the Local Environment Agency as an important flood and community activity, including productive Plan (Site 01). The allocation outlines the desire overflow facility. landscapes. Dukes Meadows already delivers to enhance sporting facilities in the area, with The Port of London Authority owns and well against this objective through the work appropriate protection of the openness of the manages the river and foreshore below Mean of the Dukes Meadows Trust and the allotments Metropolitan Open Land. Open Air recreation High Water Springs and everything above Mean on site. There are opportunities to enhance and relevant ancillary buildings will be High Water Spring is the responsibility of the this offer across the site. supported to create a sports hub, to enhance the existing activities of national significance Local Authority. Dukes Meadows can deliver on all of these that take place at the site. Dukes Meadows is located in the Thames benefits a point that a future masterplan must Policy Area and is subject to specific planning champion as a central part of the landscape The landscape at Dukes Meadows is not a listed policies described in the Local Plan, in this vision. landscape on the Historic England register of Parks and Gardens. However, there are regard. some local features that are separately listed These include: or have a recognised heritage status, such as the Barnes Railway Bridge which is Grade • Policy ENV-W.1.1 Design in the Thames Policy Area;

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.14 • Policy ENV-W.1.2 Mixed uses in the Thames LB Hounslow Local Plan 2015-2030 We will achieve this by: Policy Area The Local Plan is a local development plan • Preserving and enhancing the semi-open • Policy ENV-W.1.3 Important views and document that sets out the council’s proposals landscape in the south for the wide variety structures in the Thames Policy Area for the future development of the borough of sports and leisure activities that take place; continuing the development of a • Policy ENV-W.1.5 Nature conservation over the next 15 years through a suite of new planning policies. All local authorities are sporting hub at Dukes Meadows; and in the Thames Policy Area required to prepare a Local Plan with the • Promoting the area’s connection with • Policy ENV-W.1.6 River related infrastructure objective of contributing to the achievement and to the River Thames by protecting and and other facilities of sustainable development, addressing the enhancing river-related facilities, improving spatial implications of economic, social and • Policy ENV-W.1.8 Use of the River Thames zlegibility, accessibility, continuity and environmental change. quality of the Thames Path. for freight transport The Local Plan includes the following specific The following objectives in the Local Plan • Policy ENV-W.1.8 A Safeguarding wharves planning objective in relation to Dukes are relevant to Dukes Meadows: against incompatible development Meadows in the Spatial Strategy – Chiswick • Policy ENV-W.1.9 Use of the River Thames section: Objective five – Maximising the benefits of our green and blue infrastructure for recreational activities ‘Chiswick will benefit from modest levels • Policy ENV-W.1.10 the Thames Path National of growth over the next 15 years which will To protect, maintain and improve the Trail and access to the river deliver much needed housing and jobs. openness, access, amenity, biodiversity, This investment will help deliver local and recreational value of the borough’s green • Policy ENV-W.1.11 Access to the Thames infrastructure improvements, including and blue spaces to maximise their health and Foreshore improvements to Turnham Green, to Dukes wellbeing benefits to our communities. • Policy ENV-W.2.1 Tidal Defences – River Meadows and reducing the barrier created To enhance existing green infrastructure links Thames, Crane, Brent and the Duke of by the A4 and the North Circular Road.’ and create new ones to connect green and Northumberland’s River blue spaces and facilitate better access for local residents and contribute to biodiversity and wider environmental resilience.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.15 And policies: And policies: Objective eight – Enhancing connectivity • Policy GB 1 Green Belt and Metropolitan • Policy CI1 Providing and protecting To promote ease of movement for all through Open Land community facilities enhancing public transport, cycling and walking measures to provide genuine alternatives to • Policy GB 2 Open space • Policy CI3 Health facilities and healthy places private vehicles for the majority of journeys. • Policy GB 3 Open space in education use • Policy CI4 Culture and leisure facilities To improve the provision of telecom- • Policy GB 4 the Green Infrastructure Network munications infrastructure to increase the Objective seven – Ensuring environmental attractiveness of the borough to business, • Policy GB 5 Blue Ribbon Network quality and reduce the need for commuting. • Policy GB 6 Residential moorings To protect from, mitigate and seek to reduce the detrimental effects of noise, poor air Policy EC1 Strategic transport connections • Policy GB 7 Biodiversity quality and general environmental pollution Policy EC2 Developing a sustainable local • Policy GB 8 Allotments, agriculture and local through strong environmental standards. transport network food growing To promote the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change through requirements for Leisure and Cultural Strategy – 2016 – 2020 • Policy GB 9 Play space, outdoor sports sustainable design and construction; reduced The Leisure and Cultural strategy outlines facilities and burial space carbon emissions; the management of flood how Hounslow Council will improve the leisure risk; and conservation of resources. Objective six- Delivering community and cultural offer to better support local infrastructure • Policy EQ1 Energy and carbon reduction communities to be independent, residents To ensure the delivery of appropriate • Policy EQ2 Sustainable design and to be self-reliant and connect people with infrastructure providing a range of community, construction place. It proposes how this is to be achieved education, health, cultural, sport and whilst simultaneously strengthening leisure • Policy EQ3 Flood risk and surface water entertainment facilities that will support the and culture services to become economically management borough’s growing community and which are viable. seen as a positive reason for visiting, living in • Policy EQ4 Air quality and working in the borough.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.16 The main objectives of the strategy are to: and the NHS in the long-term. This is even Leisure and Culture more pressing due to the ageing population • Enhance our network of parks and green in Hounslow, presenting additional and new plays an essential role spaces for diverse needs. pressures on council services and the health in the prevention of • Support residents to be more active. system. ill-health and reducing • Celebrate Hounslow’s people, places, local Hounslow Playing Pitch Strategy 2016-2020 history, heritage and culture. health inequalities A key contextual document for Dukes Meadows A key aspect of the strategy is the integration is Hounslow’s Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) which which too has an impact that has taken place between leisure, culture is a review of the adequacy of playing pitch on reducing costs to and health. Leisure and cultural services in facilities for different age groups now and Hounslow is seen as an important resource over the next 5 years throughout the borough. the wider economy, for improving public health and wellbeing and As such it can provide the justification for in addressing priority public health concerns. support for additional investment in the site by the council and the For example, service provision encourages the national governing bodies of rugby, football more active and healthy lifestyles by increasing and hockey as well as other funders. NHS in the long-term. participation in physical activity and sport and people’s access and use of green space The updated 2016 PPS was not available to us which can have a lasting positive effect on at the time this report was prepared. However, resident’s mental wellbeing and quality of life. we understand from the authors, Continuum Leisure, that Dukes Meadows is identified in Leisure and Culture plays an essential role the strategy as one of the borough’s priority in the prevention of ill-health and reducing projects for all three team sports which have health inequalities which too has an impact strong and long established incumbent clubs. on reducing costs to the wider economy, the council (namely adult social care services)

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.17 Other policies and plans relevant to Dukes unattractive concrete outfall into the Thames. Dukes Meadows Transport and Access Meadows: A tithe map of 1846 shows the lake continuing Strategy – 2009 into the Thames, but by 1936 this water feature • Biodiversity Action Plan had been covered by the Promenade Approach In 2009 the London Borough of Hounslow • LB Hounslow SINC plan Road. This road leads in a straight line with an undertook the Dukes Meadows Transport avenue of lime trees marking the above ground and Access Strategy. Many of the projects • Allotment Strategy banks of the Brook. identified are still relevant and require further • Tree Strategy development to assess their feasibility and Chiswick House is currently working with an potential funding streams. The strategy • Dukes Meadows Green Flag Management Plan historian who suggests that a project can be received support at Committee level. developed to provide interpretation and a trail The main issues identified were: Bollo Brook linking the Thames to Chiswick House • Informal parking impacting on vegetation and Bollo Brook rises near Ealing Common tube Local Dukes Meadows Studies presenting traffic management problems. station and closely follows the course of the • Inconsistent pedestrian access at key District Line (or vice versa) to Acton Town Other detailed studies have looked at the points around and within the site, and hostile Station and from there along Bollo Lane, which potential for landscape enhancement of Dukes pedestrian environment at key desire lines marks the boundary between the boroughs of Meadows. (e.g. Staveley Gardens, Barnes Bridge Tunnel)’ Ealing & Hounslow, to Chiswick Park station The objectives of three of the most recent flowing south through Turnham Green to the studies are summarised below and should • Traffic flows and speed impacting grounds of Chiswick House and then drains be referenced in the development of a negatively on people’s enjoyment of the site into the River Thames downstream of Barnes comprehensive masterplan for Dukes Meadow. and perceptions of safety (particularly for Bridge from Dukes Meadow. pedestrians and cyclists) Any surplus waters from the Chiswick House • Poor maintenance of highway, paths and Lake join the Bollo Brook culvert underneath existing parking facilities. the main A316 to its outfall into a rather • Lighting as an issue in terms of perceived safety.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.18 The strategy identified several major schemes Dukes Meadows Road Network Feasibility the raised flood defence and eastern football that require further development they Study for Upgrade to Adoptable Standards pitches. The masterplan has been revised included: (2012 – WSP) as recently as 2010 following the successful implementation of the first phases of the plan • Improved pedestrian crossing and access In 2012 a feasibility study by WSP was produced which included new water and adventure play at the Great Chertsey Road access to Dan to explore the potential upgrade of the areas. The plan also shows aspirations for Mason Drive. Dukes Meadows road network to adoptable further development and growth of the Dukes standards. The future masterplan should Meadows Trust that can include more play and • Install barrier preventing through flow seek to preserve and enhance the landscape nature areas and expansion of the Farmers traffic, but which may be opened to allow qualities of the site alongside with the need Market and enhancement of the heritage service vehicle access at the western end to improve traffic management and provision; aspects of the park. of Promenade Drive. these issues must be addressed holistically. The masterplan has focused on the area • Propose a cantilevered bridge to connect encapsulated by Riverside Drive, Promenade the Thames Path to Barnes Bridge north side. Dukes Meadows Trust – Masterplan Approach and the Promenade itself. The The Dukes Meadow Trust established in • Formalise parking where possible and remainder of the Dukes Meadows site was not 2001 successfully set up a social enterprise provide a shared use path (for walkers and included. and volunteering programme which helps cyclists) along the Riverside Drive. to maintain the parts of Dukes Meadows The plan demonstrates a review of the Many of the proposals that relate to adoption designated by Hounslow public space typology historical development of Dukes Meadows of highways would need to be carefully of Parks and Gardens, also referred to as shows an understanding of the sites heritage considered in the context of other constraints Riverside Recreation Ground, Riverside Drive and has also demonstrated through local and opportunities so the landscape character and are 7.75 Ha in size. resident and stakeholder consultation that of Dukes Meadows is not degraded further. the plan has addressed local needs and In 2002, the Trust commissioned AAB aspirations. Architects to prepare a masterplan for Dukes Meadows, the Promenade, the Promenade Approach Road, playground and paddling pool,

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.19 CONCLUSIONS This design solution could also encompass 1.5 CONCLUSIONS the opportunity of developing a new pathway & RECOMMENDATIONS The regional and local plans and policies all under the Barnes Bridge by opening up the support the development, protection and existing Victorian footpath. enhancement of Dukes Meadows. The studies/ policies reviewed demonstrate The All London Green Grid and the Thames that the site needs to be viewed holistically Path Strategy specifically point to key policy and that public health, the Thames Path, and and project recommendations that are heritage aspects of the masterplan need to relevant to Dukes Meadows and the emerging be developed in line with the new sporting masterplan and have been identified by the facilities. work in this report. The regional and local plans and policies all The masterplan work carried out by the support the development, protection and Dukes Meadows Trust identifies projects and enhancement of Dukes Meadows. proposals relevant to the other studies and review work carried out in this report. RECOMMENDATIONS The traffic and transport studies and Ensure that the emerging masterplan and strategies that have been undertaken identify infrastructure improvements align with the the issues with traffic access and egress – aspirations in the ALGG and the Thames Path but are not aligned in their conclusions as to Strategy and the Thames footpath options solutions for the park, in regards adoption study. of highways standards, informal or formal parking and enforcement. Whilst developing the transport strategy, ensure that the landscape character of the The Thames Path costed options report, park is retained. concluded that the Riverside option was the effective and cost efficient solution Use the existing strategies to inform the and would serve to enhance the pedestrian emerging Masterplan and to engage internal Thames access best. and external stakeholders and funders.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.20 2. SITE ANALYSIS 2. SITE ANALYSIS

2.1 Existing facilities A pump house is located to the southern end Approximately 75% of Promenade Approach Road, a bandstand of the 230 acre site The land use at Dukes Meadows is dominated and two shelters are located on the Promenade by sport and recreation provision both for and two disused toilet buildings are located to is occupied by various terrestrial and water based activities on the the north of these. River Thames. Approximately 75% of the 230 voluntary and private acre site is occupied by various voluntary Dukes Meadows was featured in the Panorama sports clubs and their and private sports clubs and their associated of the Thames project and the entire riverside facilities. This combined offer makes Dukes bank can be viewed at: associated facilities. Meadows one of the largest centres for sport and recreation in west London. http://www.panoramaofthethames.com/ This combined offer pott/dukes-meadows/vill-dukes-meadows The main sports facilities offered across the makes Dukes Meadows park are summarised on the next page. one of the largest The main public offer is located to the east of centres for sport and the site managed by the Dukes Meadows Trust which includes a water play area, weekly food recreation in west market, café, pavilion and artist studios with public toilets, allotments, Bowling Green and London. playing fields.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.22 Source: Dukes Meadows Stakeholder 1 Duke Meadows Facilities 2 interviews 2016, MTW Consultants Ltd

BURLINGTON LANE EDENSOR ROAD Playing Pitches Full size Junior AGP's

BURLINGTON LANE STAVELEY ROAD MARKET

BOWLS PROMENADE APPROACH ROAD

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD PADDLING POOL Football 15 9 1

SPENCER ROAD

PLAY PARK KIOSK ALLOTMENTS

BOLTON ROAD Rugby 6 — —

RIVERSIDE DRIVE RECREATION SPACE

STAVELEY GARDENS CRICKET CLUB Cricket 5 — —

CAVENDISH ROAD SCHOOL SPORTS PITCHES & PRIVATE HIRE SPACE

(DISUSED)

BAND STAND Hocky — — 1

HARTINGTON ROAD

ALLOTMENTS

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD Outdoor Indoor

SPORTS CLUB PITCHES THE PROMENADE

DAN MASON DRIVE MEMBERS GYM & RAQUET CENTRE Tennis 27 20

ROWING CLUB

NATURE RESERVE LEISURE & GOLF CLUB

CHISWICK BRIDGE

ROWING CLUB (PRIVATE) Netball 2 —

ALLOTMENTS ROWING CLUB

DAN MASON DRIVE ALLOTMENTS THE TERRACE Bowls Full size 6 rink outdoor green

1 MORTLAKE HIGH STREET Rowling x 5 clubs 21 Eights 46 Fours 53 Pairs 186 Sculls 3 Other

DUKES MEADOWS STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY STUDY AREA Golf 9 hole par 3 course 50 bay golf driving range

Fitness Gym 80 – 100 stations

Swimming 1 outdoor – 2 indoor 2 J & L GIBBONS Project: Drawing title:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUKES MEADOWS DUKES MEADOWS FACILITIES URBAN DESIGN

19 SWAN YARD, Date: Scale Status: Drawing number: Rev: LONDON N1 1SD

T: 020 7226 1345 Notes: 24_02_16 1:2500 @ A1 Comment Drawn: Checked: Approved: The information in this drawing is copywright of J & L Gibbons LLP Do not scale from this drawing. 599_SK_03 - All dimensions are to be veriﬁed on site prior to construction. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Rev Date Initials Description J & L Gibbons LLP to be informed of any variation between site conditions and dimensions. VB ND London Borough of Hounslow 100019263 2016

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.23 1 Landscape base plan

BURLINGTON LANE THE FOOD MARKET EDENSOR ROAD (SUNDAYS) 2.2 Land ownership and Leases STUDIOS 2.3 Heritage Assets / BOWLING GREEN

BURLINGTON LANE PADDLING POOL & STAVELEY ROAD REFRESHMENTS DUKES MEADOWS KIOSK COMMUNITY Historical Background CENTRE With the exception of land owned by Virgin PROMENADE APPROACH ROAD

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD Group for their flagship Riverside Health & SPENCER ROAD DUKES MEADOWS ALLOTMENTS Dukes Meadows have largely remained open

BOLTON ROAD 10 RIVERSIDE Racquets Club, the freehold of the park is DRIVE RIVERSIDE RECREATION GROUND space throughout the development of London owned by Hounslow Council. The Council land RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE SPORTS resisting pressures for development which GROUND

STAVELEY GARDENS is leased out to 13 leaseholders some of which have included a gas works and motorway.

THE CIVIL SERVICE SPORTS GROUND & CLUBHOUSE hold more than one lease or management CAVENDISH ROAD Historically the meadows were low lying and agreement. CHERTSEY ROAD ALLOTMENTS were flooded by the River Thames prior to the HARTINGTON ROAD installation of flood defences. The meadows

RIVERSIDE RAQUET In addition there are three allotment sites with CENTRE GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD

THE PROMENADE were used for growing osiers and in the 19th RIVERSIDE LANDS SPORTS FIELDS a total of 472 plots which are let by the Council THE PROMENADE

DAN MASON DRIVE

CIVIL SERVICE century were subdivided into a series of fields BOAT HOUSE & SLIPWAY through individual tenancies with the plot PAVILION / CLUBHOUSE TIDEWAY SCULLERS EMANUEL NEW BOATHOUSE SCHOOL BOAT HOUSE for livestock grazing. These field patterns are holders. THE IBIS SPORTS GROUND visible today in the form of many of the current DUKES MEADOW CHISWICK BRIDGE HOCKEY PITCH

THE PROMENADE ALLOTMENTS

TIDEWAY SCULLERS DUKES HOLLOW land uses and lease boundaries. In the late 19th BOATHOUSE LOCAL NATURE RESERVE

CHISWICK BOATHOUSE

THE PROMENADE ALLOTMENTS century Grove Park Farm converted some of DAN MASON DRIVE THE TERRACE these fields to orchards.

1 MORTLAKE HIGH STREET The nearby grade I listed Chiswick House and DUKES MEADOWS STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY STUDY AREA Gardens are a significant heritage asset in the

KEY

Council owned land Sites not leased or in the Parks Management Contract locality. The restored 18th Century gardens (2010) originally created by Lord Burlington and William Kent are considered the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement.

J & L GIBBONS Project: Drawing title:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUKES MEADOWS LANDSCAPE BASEPLAN URBAN DESIGN

19 SWAN YARD, Date: Scale Status: Drawing number: Rev: LONDON N1 1SD

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.24 The Bollo Brook to the eastern edge of Dukes on the site now occupied by the Riverside ‘A series of terraces with a plateau of turf, Meadows now covered by the Promenade Racquets Centre. The company directors Dan showing seats and rustic shrubberies at Approach Road is a conduit that connects the and Charles Mason also provided a ten acre intervals, and with a central feature of a River Thames to the lakes at Chiswick House sports ground for their employees and 50 bandstand and stone balustrading including which are fed by water from Acton, Ealing and semi-detached houses adjacent to the factory a flight of steps and a causeway admitting to Brentford. The tithe map of 1846 shows the on Staveley Gardens. the river at all states of the tide. There is also Chiswick Lakes extending as far as the Thames. a carriage road of twenty feet in width for the Dukes Meadows were purchased to create whole length of the embankment, enclosed Lord Burlington’s Classic villa, Chiswick House recreational grounds for the expanding local by trees, which in years to come should is characteristic of the fashion of the time to population. Gravel extraction and landfill by form a noble avenue. Beyond this elevated build countryside residences on the upper the Riverside Sand and Ballast Company also embankment, grass slopes are formed and reaches of the Thames in London, other took place at this time on the western half of tennis lawns, etc. laid down at approximately villas can be found at Strawberry Hill (Horace the site. In the late 1920’s the river frontage the original level of the land, which is below Walpole) and Marble Hill (Henrietta Howard). was remodelled to the designs of Mr A.V. Trinity high tide mark.’ Elliot, as a promenade including the hexagonal Upon the death of Lord Burlington Chiswick bandstand and shelters that remain today. House was inherited by the Dukes of Devonshire. The Dukes Meadows were acqui- Some of the original features of the riverside red by Chiswick Urban District Council in 1923 park, such as the rockery, were destroyed from the Duke of Devonshire. At the same during WWII as a result of bomb damage. time the Chiswick Cherry Blossom Polish Co As described in the Municipal Journal of 9th Ltd acquired some of the land to build their November 1923, the ‘pleasaunce’ included; Tinplate Printing and Cardboard box factory

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.25 1 Heritage Features 2 © DigiGroup2016

CHISWICK HOUSE & GARDENS GRADE I

BURLINGTON LANE EDENSOR ROAD PROMENADE APPROACH GATES (1926)

FORMER OPEN DITCH WATER BURLINGTON LANE SUPPLY TO PONDS AT STAVELEY ROAD CHISWICK HOUSE - NOW CULVERTED

PROMENADE APPROACH ROAD

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD

SPENCER ROAD

BOLTON ROAD

PUMP HOUSE

RIVERSIDE DRIVE

STAVELEY GARDENS

CAVENDISH ROAD

BANDSTAND (1926)

HARTINGTON ROAD POLYTECHNIC STADIUM GRADE II

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD FORMER GRAVEL & BALLAST WORKS

THE PROMENADE FORMER CHERRY BLOSSOM BOOT POLISH FACTORY SITE DAN MASON DRIVE

BARNES RAILWAY BRIDGE CHISWICK BRIDGE GRADE II

CHISWICK BRIDGE & ATTACHED BALUSTRADES GRADE II

DAN MASON DRIVE THE TERRACE

MORTLAKE HIGH STREET

KEY

LISTED FEATURE

OTHER HERITAGE FEATURE

REGISTERED HISTORIC PARKS & GARDENS

HIDDEN HERITAGE 2

DUKES MEADOWS STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY STUDY AREA

J & L GIBBONS Project: Drawing title:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUKES MEADOWS HERITAGE FEATURES URBAN DESIGN

19 SWAN YARD, Date: Scale Status: Drawing number: Rev: LONDON N1 1SD

T: 020 7226 1345 Notes: 24_02_16 1:2500 @ A1 Comment Drawn: Checked: Approved: The information in this drawing is copywright of J & L Gibbons LLP Do not scale from this drawing. 599_SK_02 - All dimensions are to be veriﬁed on site prior to construction. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Rev Date Initials Description J & L Gibbons LLP to be informed of any variation between site conditions and dimensions. VB ND London Borough of Hounslow 100019263 2016

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.26 Gravel and Ballast Works and Grove Park Recreation Riverside sports grounds and environs, Chiswick, 1927 The River Thames from Chiswick towards Battersea Duke's 3 Ground, Chiswick, 1927 © Historic England. 5 © Historic England. Licensor canmore.org.uk 7 Meadows from the west, 1939 © Historic England. Licensor canmore.org.uk Licensor canmore.org.uk

Riverside sports grounds, Chiswick, 1927 Gravel and Ballast Works, Chiswick, 1927 4 6 © Historic England. Licensor canmore.org.uk © Historic England. Licensor canmore.org.uk

3 5 7

4 6

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.27 Old map, First Edition, 1871 Old map, 1933 8 10 © Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland © Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland

Old map, Second Edition, 1898 9 © Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland

9 10

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.28 1 Landscape Categorisation

one of only two areas of natural bank on the BURLINGTON LANE 2.4 Natural Assets & Biodiversity EDENSOR ROAD Thames in London and is one of the most

BURLINGTON LANE STAVELEY ROAD

Green infrastructure provision at Dukes important wildlife refuges in urban west PROMENADE APPROACH ROAD

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD Meadows is predominantly composed of public London. The intertidal habitats range from SPENCER ROAD and private playing fields and sports grounds shingle foreshore, alder-willow carr and drier BOLTON ROAD with close mown grass, the public promenade woodland further inland. This site provides an RIVERSIDE DRIVE and play areas to the east and allotments important natural asset with several unique STAVELEY GARDENS complete the offer. The Thames path provides features that should be protected and deserve CAVENDISH ROAD the strategic connection to the wider open to be interpreted for educational use. space network in the east and west. The tree HARTINGTON ROAD lined Promenade Approach Road connects The Hounslow BAP 2013 includes action plans

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD directly to Chiswick House and Gardens that have specific relevance to Dukes Meadows THE PROMENADE in the north. which include: DAN MASON DRIVE

Blue infrastructure provision at Dukes • Lowland Heath and Acid grassland CHISWICK BRIDGE Meadows is very important and includes the • Wet woodland

River Thames and the associated foreshore and DAN MASON DRIVE THE TERRACE the culverted Bollo Brook beneath Promenade • Neutral grassland Approach Road. Prior to the creation of flood 1

MORTLAKE HIGH STREET • Tidal Thames KEY defences, the meadows also periodically ALLOTMENTS / COMMUNITY GARDEN / CITY FARM flooded. OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITY CEMETERY / CHURCH YARD

• Orchards, Gardens and Allotments AMENITY SPACE

CIVIC SPACE

Duke’s Hollow is the site of a former LOCAL NATURE RESERVE • Parkland and Veteran trees SITES OF IMPORTANCE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION: boathouse (0.26Ha) destroyed by fire in the METROPOLITAN IMPORTANCE BOROUGH IMPORTANCE

1970’s. It is located to the west of Barnes GREEN CORRIDOR

• Reedbeds DUKES MEADOWS STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY STUDY AREA

Bridge and is a Local Nature Reserve and a J & L GIBBONS Project: Drawing title: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUKES MEADOWS LANDSCAPE CATEGORISATION URBAN DESIGN

19 SWAN YARD, Date: Scale Status: Drawing number: Rev: LONDON N1 1SD

T: 020 7226 1345 site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature • Hedgerows Notes: 24_02_16 1:2500 @ A1 Comment Drawn: Checked: Approved: The information in this drawing is copywright of J & L Gibbons LLP Do not scale from this drawing. 599_SK_06 - All dimensions are to be veriﬁed on site prior to construction. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Rev Date Initials Description J & L Gibbons LLP to be informed of any variation between site conditions and dimensions. VB ND London Borough of Hounslow 100019263 2016 Conservation. Duke’s Hollow consists of

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.29 1 Accessibility and Transport

190 BURLINGTON LANE London’s Natural Signatures EDENSOR ROAD 2.5 Accessibility & Transport E3 CHISWICK

E3 E3 E3 E3 BURLINGTON LANE STAVELEY ROAD E3

Dukes Meadows is located in the Upper Thames PROMENADE APPROACH ROAD E3 190 / E3 Public transport 272

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD area the underlying signatures that relevant to SPENCER ROAD

Dukes Meadows are: Dukes Meadows is well connected by public BOLTON ROAD

190 transport, although there is no London RIVERSIDE DRIVE 190 272

Key influences: STAVELEY GARDENS Underground Station located within 30mins

• Daily tidal ebb and flow walk of the site. Chiswick railway station CAVENDISH ROAD is approximately 15mins walk from Dukes

190 • Meandering river channels, tributary creeks Meadows where it meets the River Thames HARTINGTON ROAD 190

an islands and Barnes Bridge Station is around 5mins walk GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD

from the eastern half of the site via the Barnes THE PROMENADE DAN MASON DRIVE • Mudflats etched with winding creeks Bridge pedestrian link. Bus stops for the 190 • Shifting shingle beaches bus between Richmond and West Brompton 209 / 419 / 969 / N22 CHISWICK BRIDGE are located along the Great Chertsey Road. 209 / 419 / 609 / 969 / N22 BARNES BRIDGE • Transition from open acid grassland to wet

DAN MASON DRIVE floodplain meadows, with ponds, ditches Footpaths and roads THE TERRACE and flushes Many of the footpaths within Dukes Meadows 1 MORTLAKE HIGH STREET are in need of routine maintenance or com- KEY • Heathy scrub and secondary woodland as a NATIONAL RAIL STATION backdrop to the floodplain prehensive repaving to improve accessibility. BUS STOP THAMES PATH Most paths are formed of black asphalt or DUKES MEADOWS STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY STUDY AREA consolidated sub-base gravel. The degradation of many of the paths is exacerbated by vehicle use. The sub-base is unlikely to be sufficient

J & L GIBBONS Project: Drawing title:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUKES MEADOWS ACCESSIBILITY & TRANSPORT to take this additional loading resulting in the URBAN DESIGN 19 SWAN YARD, Date: Scale Status: Drawing number: Rev: LONDON N1 1SD

T: 020 7226 1345 Notes: 24_02_16 1:2500 @ A1 Comment Drawn: Checked: Approved: The information in this drawing is copywright of J & L Gibbons LLP Do not scale from this drawing. 599_SK_04 - All dimensions are to be veriﬁed on site prior to construction. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Rev Date Initials Description J & L Gibbons LLP to be informed of any variation between site conditions and dimensions. VB ND poor condition. London Borough of Hounslow 100019263 2016

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.30 1 Character Areas

BURLINGTON LANE Clearer segregation between vehicle space 2.6 Landscape Character Areas EDENSOR ROAD and pedestrian and cyclist space is required BURLINGTON LANE STAVELEY ROAD on many of the un-adopted roads within Dukes The landscape character of Dukes Meadows PROMENADE APPROACH ROAD

GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD Meadows to improve safety and to create a is largely influenced by the fragmented open SPENCER ROAD more welcoming pedestrian environment, spaces, private recreational landscapes, car BOLTON ROAD notably at Staveley Gardens, Dan Mason Drive parking, fencing, allotments and the River RIVERSIDE DRIVE and Riverside Drive. Thames. In some places the site has the feel STAVELEY GARDENS

of a rural location with the character CAVENDISH ROAD The London Borough of Hounslow are reminiscent of a Country Park. considering the adoption of the ‘Quietways’ HARTINGTON ROAD principles as part of any works to the Thames Many of the playing fields are leased by private GREAT CHERTSEY ROAD tenants and as such are enclosed with security Path to improve the integration of cyclists and THE PROMENADE

DAN MASON DRIVE quality of experience in Dukes Meadows. fencing which currently negatively contributes to the quality of the landscape.

Level changes CHISWICK BRIDGE The location of Dukes Meadows on the north

bank of the River Thames is a major asset DAN MASON DRIVE The terraced and stepped landscape features THE TERRACE of the riverside promenade create some for the area. The intertidal habitats create a obstacles to universal access but subtle valuable natural resource, views to and from 1

MORTLAKE HIGH STREET

Dukes Meadows to the surrounding city and KEY interventions could be made to improve PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE RECREATION SPACE

ALLOTMENTS Arcadian vistas attract visitors via the Thames PRIVATE CLUB MEMBERS SPACE this with changing the character. Access RESTRICTED ACCESS WILD AREAS

CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS from Barnes Railway Bridge is only possible Path. STUDIOS & FOOD MARKET via steps. DUKES MEADOWS STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY STUDY AREA

J & L GIBBONS Project: Drawing title:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUKES MEADOWS CHARACTER AREAS URBAN DESIGN

19 SWAN YARD, Date: Scale Status: Drawing number: Rev: LONDON N1 1SD

T: 020 7226 1345 Notes: 24_02_16 1:2500 @ A1 Comment Drawn: Checked: Approved: The information in this drawing is copywright of J & L Gibbons LLP Do not scale from this drawing. 599_SK_05 - All dimensions are to be veriﬁed on site prior to construction. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Rev Date Initials Description J & L Gibbons LLP to be informed of any variation between site conditions and dimensions. VB ND London Borough of Hounslow 100019263 2016

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.31 which were designed as part of the promenade supresses many of the native species. The intertidal habitats on the river edge are now partially obscured Paving is generally in need of enhancement create a valuable and require management to re-establish and repair. Even though this area is located and maintain. The bandstand, flanking on the bank of the Thames it has an enclosed natural resource, timber shelters remain and the toilet blocks character due to the level change to north to the north are disused. Paving and the and the fences of the adjacent sports clubs views to and from wall/balustrade are generally in need of to the eastern end of the Thames Path moving Dukes Meadows to the enhancement and repair. Original features west the character gradually opens out with such as the concrete and iron – art deco longer views towards Chiswick Bridge. surrounding city and railings along the riverside are still in evidence Arcadian vistas attract as is the pedestrian turnstile adjacent to the Eastern Riverside recreation grounds: Barnes bridge railway line, which should be These areas have seen much needed visitors via the Thames retained if possible. investment in recent years spearheaded by the Dukes Meadows Trust including a water Path. Promenade Approach: play area, farmers market, pavilion and artist Promenade Approach is the formal landscape studios, allotments, bowling green and playing Publically accessible recreation space connection between Chiswick House and the fields. River Thames, flanked by lime tree planting and The Riverside Park and Promenade: poplars. The pump house is located near the Private club member’s space interface with the Thames Path. Many of the features of the 1920’s riverside Western Recreation Grounds: park and promenade have been degraded Riverbank between Barnes Bridge and The historic fields patterns which delineate the or lost completely. The physical relationship Chiswick Bridge: between the park and the River Thames has boundaries of the private recreation grounds Japanese knotweed is found growing along been degraded where successional tree can still be seen in the western half of the site most of the riverbank. The Japanese knotweed growth has continued along the riverbank and in some cases these are reinforced by creates a continuous visual barrier between and not managed as an avenue as initially fragments of the former hedgerow boundaries the Thames Path is some sections, it also intended. The views from the viewpoints

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.32 now interplanted with Lombardy poplar trees. Restricted access wild areas Studios and food market This area is characterised by a plethora of fences and boundary treatments which mark Dukes Hollows: There are fourteen artists’ studios located the boundaries between the various sports Dukes Hollows is a site of Metropolitan in a converted pavilion that was formerly clubs. The subdivision of these areas adds Importance for Nature Conservation and the farm store buildings. The studios have to the poor visual character of this area. a Local Nature Reserve, the intertidal a self-contained character in line with the nature of the site contributes to the distinct original farm yard function; they are publically habitats found at the site which include; accessible during the weekly food market or alder, willow, rushes, watercress, hemlock during open days. The food market takes place water dropwort and marsh ragwort. Dukes every Sunday; the proceeds from the market Hollows has a wildness, the presence of litter go towards the management of the park. Dukes Hollows is a in the undergrowth and low quality path and boundary treatments detracts from this Children’s play areas character and creates the impression of site of Metropolitan There are two play areas in Dukes Meadows an unmanaged landscape. Importance for Nature to the east of the site providing a water play and adventure play provision. These areas Allotments Conservation and a are a focus of activity for young children Local Nature Reserve, There are three allotment sites within Dukes and families and closely located to adjacent Meadows which provide a valuable amenity residential areas. The surrounding landscape the intertidal nature for the local community. These productive character is of a finer grain than much of the landscapes are a legacy of the former land site with seasonal and more delicate planting of the site contributes uses at Dukes Meadows. contributing integration of the play offer within the landscape. There is a small kiosk type café to the distinct habitats with a disabled toilet located between the two found at the site play areas.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.33 2.7 Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats, SWOT Analysis

SWOT Area Description

Strenghts Natural Assets The existing natural assets of Dukes Meadows include; the tree lined riverside promenade, parkland trees, hedgerows, amenity planting, semi-improved grassland, the Dukes Hollow Local Nature Reserve and the intertidal Thames foreshore which all provide valuable and varied opportunities for park users to engage with nature.

Additional tree planting and habitats located in the private sports fields also contribute to this character as ‘borrowed scenery’ providing a background to local views and extended ecological corridors. There are opportunities to enhance the biodiversity of the site aligned with a careful consideration of site management and maintenance of the natural assets. Reference should be made to The London Borough of Hounslow Tree Strategy by JLIS.

Riverside Location The location of Dukes Meadows on the north bank of the River Thames is one of its principle assets. There are relatively few locations where public open space and specifically parks directly engage with the River, such as Marble Hill Park, Jubilee Gardens and Pottersfield Park. This relationship should be strengthened through improved view management, enhanced infrastructure for accessing the River and promoting opportunities to create more diverse habitats related to flood risk management.

Community Facilities The existing facilities managed by the Dukes Meadows Trust are an exemplar for future provision. The programme of events including the Chiswick Food Market show the potential of Dukes Meadows to host a series of activities in the existing open spaces if carefully planned. This accompanied by the services and facilities offered by the other stakeholders, leaseholders and volunteers provide a wealth of recreational opportunities.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.34 SWOT Area Description

Heritage There are a number of heritage features within Dukes Meadows, which include entrance gates and piers, small buildings, structures, the route of the former Bollo Brook and the terraced promenade. These are notably from the 1920’s and 30’s when Dukes Meadows was altered to promote public use. Some of these features have received necessary repair work or reinterpretation through capital projects in the last decade, others are now in need of similar consideration of their function and state of repair. If repurposed or reinterpreted these features can become an important part of the contemporary Dukes Meadows user offer whilst providing a link to the history of the site.

Weakness Traffic & Parking Damage to grass verges due to informal parking has made areas of Dukes Meadows unattractive and difficult to manage. Pressure from traffic on the site demonstrates a need to significantly increase car parking but existing car parks that are unsecured when not in use, particularly after dark, tend to attract fly tipping.

Weakness Litter collection The litter bins are often overflowing and of insufficient capacity following a busy weekend of park use.

Weakness Street Furniture The quality and provision of street furniture within Dukes Meadows is varied. Often seats and benches are & Lighting in a poor state of repair and need replacement. Bench locations often appear ad-hoc and don’t necessarily provide the best view or relate to adjacent land uses.

Lighting from the sports facilities cause light spillage/ pollution across the river.

Weakness Paths & Paths surfaces are variable throughout Dukes Meadows with some areas requiring immediate repair. surfaces

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.35 SWOT Area Description

Weakness Signage No clear signage strategy for the whole site and no clear direction to facilities for pedestrians or traffic.

Opportunities Arboricultural Visibility of the river is obscured in many places by extensive growth along the river wall on the river side of diversity & both The Promenade and Dan Mason Drive. There are significant opportunities to thin this growth - removing management all but the best-formed or ecologically valuable trees to restore the original design intention and develop the riverside as a spectator attraction again.

Opportunities Promenade, These existing heritage features would benefit from improvement and reinstatement. They are useful features bandstand, shelters in inclement weather and provide a focus for the Promenade. & toilet blocks

Opportunities The Thames Path The Thames Path provides a strategic connection to a wider open space network. The path is used by many visitors as part of a running, jogging and cycling route for recreation and as a green transport link.

Opportunities Nature reserve Dukes Hollow is a fantastic asset for Dukes Meadows. & habitats

Opportunities Wayfinding At present there is not a consistent approach to wayfinding across Dukes Meadows. & signage

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.36 SWOT Area Description

Threats Fencing A comprehensive review of fencing design and provision across the whole of Dukes Meadows could lead to a more sensitive integration of the necessary secure boundaries within the landscape. The fences and boundaries block long views across the site which could enhance the landscape character and are often composed of the low quality metal mesh panels and chain-link varieties which create the appearance of a low quality environment. They are often cloaked in ivy adding to the sense of enclosure along footpaths where fences are located on both sides. In some locations old fences have not been removed prior to the installation of new fences and could be removed. The original 1920’s promenade balustrade can still be found in amongst the overgrown shrubberies and would benefit from restoration.

Threats Fly tipping Fly tipping is an issue within certain areas of Dukes Meadows.

Threats Vandalism & The adhoc nature of parking across the site could be one of the contributing factors to the levels of car crime car crime that takes place across the site. The general ‘uncared for’ appearance for large parts of Dukes Meadows may also exacerbate this issue. This is aligned to street lighting and the general maintenance and upkeep of the site as a whole.

Threats Public Facilities The lack of public toilet provision at Dukes Meadows is a major issue particularly during busy weekend events which often leads to antisocial behaviour. The public toilet adjacent to the Kiosk and play areas is not open all year round and is quite a distance from the promenade and bandstand area. With only a single toilet it is also incapable of providing for the whole site and a review of public facilities is needed.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.37 1 Tree lined promenade 3 Community Facilities 5 Traffic

2 River Thames 4 Heritage

1 3

2 4 5

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.38 6 Litter 7 Street Furniture 9 Signage

8 Paths 10 Arb

7 9

6 8 10

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.39 11 Promenade 12 Thames Path 13 Nature Reserve

14 Fly tipping

11 12 14

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.40 15 Wayfinding 16 Fencing 17 Vandalism

18 Public facilities

15 16 18

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.41 SUMMARY The next step would be to develop a 2.8 SITE ANALYSIS comprehensive landscape masterplan CONCLUSIONS & The need for an integrated approach to public for Dukes Meadows. This study will require and private land within Dukes Meadows is long further baseline data to enable a refinement RECOMMENDATIONS standing. This integrated approach can only of the landscape vision into a working be successful if it is supported by the public masterplan report. These include baseline and private stakeholders across the site and surveys of the existing heritage assets and by external stakeholders. natural assets through Preliminary Ecological Assessments and arboricultural surveys Soil This approach should emerge from the Surveys and Hydrological surveys etc. existing qualities of Dukes Meadows and explore opportunities for enhancement The strategy could embrace immediate issues of the user experience. This can be framed through essential ‘quick win’ projects as by focussing on key themes. defined in the Section 5 of this report.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.42 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

• Improving public access and recreation • Conserve and reinterpret Heritage Assets more frequent collection at peak times opportunities through formal sports offer through built interventions and and enforcement. and informal opportunities to improve an interpretative strategy. Improve street furniture: e.g. a single health and wellbeing. Enhancement of the 1920’s riverside type of bench, bin, bollard etc should be Carry out a feasibility study to enhance promenade and associated facilities, such designed and adopted across the whole facilities at the heart of the site in order as the terraces, bandstand toilets, railings, of Dukes Meadows. to improve sense of safety and to create balustrade and gates to the top of the a hub that attracts people into the site. steps providing access to the Foreshore. • Street lighting, signage and the footpath hierarchy all need an overhaul. Develop a comprehensive wayfinding Restore and enhance heritage features strategy in partnership with public notably entrance gateways to formalise Commercial enterprises are often in and private stakeholders. sense of arrival and welcome. competition with eachother and the distance from the entrance points to Dukes Improve the footpath and enhance the Investment in public open space and issues Meadows off Great Chertsey Road to the experience of using the Thames Path relating to maintenance are required facilities at the centre of the site creates through Dukes Meadows, based on the to halt the further degradation of the further problems. recommendations in the Thames Path • landscape at Dukes Meadows. Atkins study, including the link to Barnes Undertake a comprehensive review of Bridge between the two halves of the sites. Introduce a programme of monitoring street lighting to improve safety as well and enforcement to reduce antisocial as reducing light pollution across Dukes Explore opportunities to improve acces- behaviour such as fly tipping, vandalism Meadows. sibility for pedestrians and cyclists and car crime Review the fencing with at Chiswick and Barnes Bridges. Develop a clear branding exercise for the view of rationalising. Dukes Meadows and adopt a site wide/ • Nature Conservation through protection Review litter picking regimes: e.g. better stakeholder endorsed strategy for signage. and enhancement of existing assets. provision for waste collection & recycling;

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.43 Review all path surfaces to identify Programming events around these features Tenants should be responsible for providing an approach to repair and resurfacing creates a focus of activity adjacent to the sufficient car parking for their events and that considers sustainability potentially Thames and could be a focus for improving restrictions on site should be considered. incorporating SuDS. the quality of the public open space in the The largely disused Promenade Approach area. Reinstate promenade, bandstand and Road could provide car parking on one side Review footpaths which end abruptly and shelters. Review case for restoring on days when there are major events. continue as desire lines on grass verges. or demolishing the toilet blocks. • Visibility of the river is obscured in many • A strategy for traffic management and places on the river side of both the parking provision at Dukes Meadows Promenade and Dan Mason Drive. which is supported by public and private Many trees should be removed and the tenants is essential following the previous stumps treated to prevent re-growth, others consultations. particularly willows could be pollarded or The proposals included in the Dukes coppiced. This would open up attractive Meadows Transport and Access Strategy views of the river and reduce damage to the should be reassessed in the context of a wall and railing and balustrade that exists Landscape masterplan for the whole site along the waterside. These features damaged Review parking to reduce visual impact of by tree roots, trunks etc.need to be repaired car parking across the site and notably noise or replaced. of traffic from Chiswick Bridge approach. Increased parking provision should be clearly • Existing heritage features would benefit marked out in individual bays and laybys that from improvement and reinstatement. are less likely to be fly tipped and can be Programming events around these features enforced. creates a focus of activity adjacent to the Thames and could be a focus for improving the quality of the public open space in the area.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.44 3. BASE LINE REVIEW 3. BASE LINE REVIEW

Dukes Meadows is 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Leaseholder interviews unusual for a London A base line review was undertaken to establish, Dukes Meadows is unusual for a London in broad terms, how the site is used and Park in so much as it has a complex array of Park in so much as it managed. leaseholders, freeholders and sub tenants and other interested parties contributing to its use, has a complex array The review looked at the management of management and development. Council maintained areas, considered each of leaseholders, of the leases and management agreements Currently there are 13 different leaseholders freeholders and sub and sought the views of park users and and one freeholder (apart from the Council) stakeholders. It included interviews with on the site. These have a number of leases, tenants and other all the leaseholders and freeholders on the deeds and agreements with LB Hounslow and site, and, from these and other information, vary both in duration and the term remaining. interested parties estimated visitor number and identified Some of the leaseholders have more than one contributing to its use, barriers and opportunities for audience agreement some of these are in the process development. of being amalgamated. management and The leaseholders and the freeholder are: development. • The Trustees of Masonian Bowls Club • Dukes Meadows Trust • Dukes Meadows Community Association • Chiswick Cricket Club • King's House School Trust • CSSC Properties Ltd (Civil Service Boathouse and slipway)

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.46 • The Governors of United Westminster There are also three allotment sites, owned In addition, on the Dukes Meadows Allotment Schools (Emanuel School Boathouse) by the Council and managed on its behalf by Site, there is a community project called the Carillion the parks services contractor. They Number One Allotment Chiswick. The project • Old Meadonians Football Club & Chiswick are let through individual tenancies with the occupies six plots near the Pavilion entrance Rugby Football Club plot holders. and, through its six volunteers, works with • Barnes Sports Club Limited (Dukes 10-15 adults with learning difficulties every Meadows Hockey Pitch) The Chiswick Horticultural and Allotment Wednesday throughout the year. Society works closely with allotment holders • Chiswick RFC Limited and Carillion to help administer the three sites, The interviews with the 13 leaseholders, Virgin • Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club representing the needs and views of Group and the two allotment organisations & Hounslow Hockey Club Limited the tenants. The sites are: covered the following topic areas: (now defunct) • Chertsey Rd (Statutory site) 147 plots • Background (the one along the railway) • Stephen Marks (Dukes Meadows Golf • Facilities & Tennis Club) • The Promenade (in two parts) • Visitor Numbers • Tideway Scullers School (Non-statutory) 124 plots • New Projects/Investment • Virgin Group (Freeholder of Riverside • Dukes Meadows (Non-statutory) 201 plots Health & Racquets Club) (between the Cricket ground and • Vision the Pavilion) • Areas of concern

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.47 The Chiswick 3.3 Leaseholder’s shared areas • Need for legibility and cohesive brand/ of concern - conclusions signage Horticultural and • Permeability, better access to two halves The following conclusions emerged as a of site, improvements to entrances Allotment Society works common set of shared issues and areas of concern for all the leaseholders: • Waste management – fly tipping – grot closely with allotment spots, general litter • Traffic management & parking, degraded holders and Carillion roads, overcrowding on event days, safety • Grounds maintenance / investment in to help administer the & petty theft common areas, grey areas of responsibility • Event management and bookings needs • Need for refurbishment/ investment of three sites, representing to improve new sporting facilities to cater for growth the needs and views of • Pedestrian access, quality of footpaths, • Promotion of the site the tenants. safety, need for better access on Thames • Overall point of contact for site governance Path and Barnes Bridge and stewardship • Lighting – for pedestrians and traffic – but also as a light pollution issue

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.48 3.4 Parks Management and leases • An area of planted woodland to the south 3.5 Park users and Audience of the hockey pitch; development Outline maps that show the boundary of the areas that are included in the Parks • The car parking area that surrounds Local Catchment Area Management contract were supplied. Chiswick Boathouse; In superimposing these on a map of the leased • An area of land to the north of Chiswick Planning policy PPG17 defines the local areas, we have identified nine parcels of land Rugby Club clubhouse; catchment area of an open space as the that are neither part of a lease to a third distance travelled by 75-80% of users1. This party, nor included in the Parks Management • The secondary woodland between the method of setting quality and quantity values contract. railway line and Emanuel School boathouse; for open space is no longer a requirement of • An area of land north of the Civil Service local authorities; however it remains a useful These areas are shown in base plans P.24 and boathouse; tool in measuring deficiency of open space. are: • The land on which the former ground- The Hounslow Open Spaces Study (2011 & 2014) • An area of verge between Great Chertsey keepers cottage, 10 Riverside Drive, reported that 77% of Hounslow residents Road and Dan Mason Drive, near to Tideway is situated travelled for less than 15 minutes to the major Scullers’ new boathouse, that is often parks. This dropped to 11 minutes when two used for informal parking; It is recommended that these gaps are ‘destination parks ‘were removed. This equates • A small area of land that passes between formalized as part of the review of the leases. to approximately 1 kilometre assuming that the two Tideway Scullers boathouses; most users walk to their local park. • an area of scrub woodland on the western side of the hockey pitch;

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.49 The most recent survey done on the usage 1 kilometre radius around the centre of Hounslow Parks in 2015 backs this up by of the park is shown below showing that 90% of Dukes Meadows users walked to their local park compared with 85% of users for Hounslow as a whole2. Many users sometimes walk and sometimes go by car. In the case of Dukes Meadows, 32% of users sometimes go by car. Chiswick has the lowest overall travel times to open spaces in the borough and the highest proportion of residents walking to open spaces3.

1 Cited in Hounslow Open Space Study 2011 from PPG 17 Companion Guide 2 Hounslow Masterplan Parks Tabulations 2016 3 Hounslow Open Space Study 2011

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.50 In terms of residents, the catchment for Dukes The most recent survey Meadows considering people reaching the park Ward 2011 done on the usage on foot takes in Chiswick Homefields ward, part of Chiswick Riverside, all of Mortlake & Chiswick Homefields 11,260 of Hounslow Parks Barnes and part of Barnes ward. The population within the radius has been built 5,772 in 2015 backs this up up very approximately as follows [1] Chiswick Riverside (50%) by showing that 90% To give an idea of how many visits this popu- Mortlake & Barnes Common 10,919 of Dukes Meadows lation would generate to all parks, an average number of park visits per week per head can users walked to their be applied. If, for example the average of 1.4 Barnes (50%) 5,115 visits per week from Hounslow Masterplan local park compared Parks research was used, then this population Total Catchment population 33,065 1 with 85% of users for would generate 2.4 million visits per year to all Hounslow as a whole. urban parks.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.51 Source: extrapolated from Hounslow Masterplan 1 Parks Tabulations 2016 and ONS Census 2011.

* Across Hounslow, 19% of residents did not visit parks so only 81% of the population is taken into consideration.

Annual visits: informal recreation Chiswick Park Survey The Hounslow masterplan survey of residents undertook quota sampling in Dukes Dukes % who use Frequency each ward. Only a weighted sample of 15 Total Park users Meadows Meadows the park of visits out of the 1,069 respondents to the survey Users Users visited Dukes Meadows Park. People 1069 81% 866 15 1.7% 1.43 However, if this response is applied to the surveyed quota sample for the two Chiswick wards (Homefields and Riverside), then it is 15 out People of 97 respondents in these two wards i.e. surveyed in 97 81% 79 15 19.1% 1.15 15.5% of all residents or 19% if non park Chiswick users are excluded. The frequency of Wards visits for Dukes Meadows Park users was approximately 1.15 visits per week, lower Total Visits than the average for Hounslow which was 1.43. Population 22800 81% 18468 3526 19.1% 1.15 202.732 of Chiswick* These data are applied to give estimates below for the number of recreational visits Population generated by the immediate catchment 16034 81% 12988 2479 19.1% 1.15 142.570 area: of Richmond

Totals 31456 345.302 1

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.52 Source: 2015 Indices of Deprivation Mapper, 1 OpenDataCommunities.org

The total of some 345,300 recreational visits Deprivation map of Hounslow per year does not of course include much of the usage of the sports grounds and rowing clubs in Dukes Meadows nor the visits of the park from outside of the borough for which there are no currently empirical data... The numbers generated by the sports facilities are calculated in the baseline review.

Deprivation

Despite being in a relatively affluent area, Dukes Meadows Park and the housing it encompasses, ranks within the 25% most deprived LSOAs (Lower Layer Super Output Area) in the country (7666 out of 32,482). It stands out in contrast to the other surrounding LSOAs in Chiswick and Richmond which are generally in the top third or top 50% of LSOAs. The only exceptions to this are the LSOAs around Grove Park School on the other side of the A316 (008A) and Mortlake (003D) which rank in the lowest 50%. 1

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.53 1 Source: ONS Population Census 2011

Ethnic minorities Chiswick Chiswick Chiswick Park Survey Hounslow % The proportion of ‘White British’ living in the Homefields % Riverside % Chiswick wards is much higher than Hounslow as a whole: 60% or so as opposed to 37.9%. White British 59.6 62.3 37.9 In contrast the number of Asian people living in the borough is far higher with 34% com- Other white 17.9 15.3 11.5 pared with under 8% for the two Chiswick wards. Irish 3.7 3.2 1.9

Despite the apparent low level of ethnic minor- Asian 7.2 7.8 34.4 ities in the area, anecdotal evidence suggests that quite large ethnic cultural groups congre- Black/African/Caribbean 4.2 4.0 6.5 gate in the Recreation Ground and along the Promenade from various backgrounds. This Total Visits Mixed race 4.3 4.7 4.1 indicates that the park is drawing a significant section of its users from outside the immedi- Arab 1.4 1.3 1.4 ate local catchment. A Dukes Meadows park 1 survey is outside the scope of this study but should be considered for further work..

Participation in Sport

Hounslow’s participation in physical activity and Sport, measured as people undertaking three 30 minute periods of moderate intensity exercise per week, is around 19%.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.54 Sources: Analysed from leaseholder interviews 2016, 1 and extrapolated from Hounslow Masterplan Parks Tabulations, LBH 2016

In Chiswick, however, this rises to 23-26%. So the area around the Park has a significantly Analysis of visits to Dukes Meadows Analysis of visits to Dukes Meadows higher number of people taking regular exercise than the borough as a whole. This empha- Leaseholder/Club Total Visits Leaseholder/Club Total Visits sizes the use of Dukes Meadows as a place for Chiswick Cricket Club 5,264 Cygnet Rowing Club 5,000 joggers and other exercise activities, in particular the various sports available in the park, Old Meadonians FC 21,000 Barnes Bridge Ladies RC 5,000 positioning it firmly as an important focus for health and well-being in the borough. Chiswick Rugby Club 5,540 Emanuel School Rowing Club 9,000

Current park users and estimated park visits King's House School Sports Ground: Barnes Hockey Club 12,440

Some 75% of the Dukes Meadows park site is Football 20,040 Masonians Bowls Club 5,300 given over to formal recreation land occupied Dukes Meadows Golf & Tennis Club 174,000 by voluntary and private clubs. These sites AGP 32,640 generate usage from players of different ages Rugby 9,300 Riverside Health & Racquets Club 256,000 as well as spectators that are attracted to watch matches. The rest is given over to allot- Cricket 3,820 Total sports related visits 653,667 ments and informal recreation such as walking, dog walking, jogging, picnicking, play etc. Colts pitches x2 3,300 Allotment holders (460 active plots) 40,020 The total number of visits has been obtained Tennis 13,670 Farmers' market 45,000 partly from the organisations that operate on the site and partly through extrapolation from Total King's House School 82,770 Water play/adventure play 91,000 a recent survey of parks by Hounslow Council. The total visits are estimated at nearly 1.1 mil- KHS events 17,300 Other informal visits 254,000 lion per year and are broken down below by user group. Tideway Sculler's School 30,318 Total informal visits 430,020

1 Thames Tradesmen Rowing Club 24,735 Total Visits 1,083,687

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.55 Source: Dukes Meadows Stakeholder interviews 2016, 1 MTW Consultants Ltd

Sports visits Total Visits Juniors % Junior The clubs listed include two privately owned clubs, Dukes Meadows Golf & Tennis Club, Rowing 74,153 33,805 46% which is a pay and play facility and Virgin Active’s flagship club, Riverside Health & Football 73,680 22,000 30% Racquets Club, which is a private member- ship club. These two account for 65% of the Rugby 12,600 4,900 39% sports visits and 40% of all estimated visits. The sports visits represent 60% of total visits Tennis 13,670 3,840 28% and amount to some 654,000 visits per year including spectators. Hockey 12,440 6,000 48%

The site usage analysed by sport, excluding Cricket 9,081 2,360 26% tennis and golf played at the private clubs, is shown below showing the proportion of use Bowls 5,300 - 0% by young people [1] Sub total 200,927 72,905 36% These figures include a certain number of 1 spectators. The largest team sports on the site are rowing followed by football. Nearly 40% of all visits is accounted for by young people often with their schools.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.56 Origins of Sports Visits Dukes Meadows 3 mile Catchment Area

A team sport club or rowing club will generally draw members from 10-15 minutes journey time around their site. The incumbent sports clubs and leaseholders were asked where most of their members came from and there was a good degree of conformity in their response. Typically they are drawing members from:

Chiswick, Barnes, Mortlake, Putney, Hammersmith, Acton, Brentford and Richmond.

Many of these places fall within a three mile radius of the Park as shown in the map.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.57 Usage by young people Analysis of visists to Dukes Meadow Children and young people are well catered Leaseholder/Club Total Visits Juniors % Junior for by the Sports organisations at Dukes Chiswick Cricket Club 5,264 2,360 45% Meadows accounting for nearly 200,000 visits Old Meadonians FC 21,000 4,000 19% or 30% of the total. Some organisations like Chiswick Rugby Club 5,540 1,300 23% Thames Tradesmen’s Rowing Club, Chiswick Cricket Club and Barnes Hockey Club have King's House School Sports Ground: much higher proportions of usage by young Football 20,040 12,000 60% people. AGP 32,640 6,000 18% Rugby 9,300 3,600 39% The table below shows the sports usage by junior users for each of the organisations Cricket 3,820 0% based at Dukes Meadows: Colts pitches x2 3,300 3,300 100% Tennis 13,670 3,840 28% Total King's House School 82,770 28,740 35% KHS events 17,300 Tideway Sculler's School 30,318 10,020 33% Thames Tradesmen Rowing Club 24,735 17,785 72% Cygnet Rowing Club 5,000 - 0% Barnes Bridge Ladies RC 5,000 - 0% Emanuel School Rowing Club 9,000 6,000 67% Barnes Hockey Club 12,440 6,000 48% Masonians Bowls Club 5,300 - 0% Dukes Meadows Golf & Tennis Club 174,000 71,640 41% Riverside Health & Racquets Club 256,000 50,000 20% Total sports related visits 653,667 197,845 30%

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.58 Schools visits House School based in Richmond and Emanuel share and games have to be staggered to School based in Battersea. At Kings House accommodate all the teams. The run down The schools that were consulted, in the School, the pitches are let out to other private condition of the facilities is also a deterrent immediate catchment of the site, all make schools every day during term time. These to many would be members. good use of the facilities at Dukes Meadows. include: Hammersmith Academy, Latimer These include Cavendish Primary School, Upper School, and St James School for Girls, The incumbent club, the Old Meadonians, Chiswick Comprehensive School, The Meadows Kew House School and Orchard House School. which have 10 adult teams, have no female or Montessori School and Laidlaw Education and The Tideway Scullers School hires out to Kings junior players at present due in great part to they make use of the cricket, football, rowing, College School in Wimbledon and St Pauls Girls the lack of facilities. They also lack access to rugby and hockey facilities on the site. School in Hammersmith. a floodlit AGP for training.

The rowing and tennis facilities are also used These schools visits are included in the Hockey: The Barnes Hockey Club is an by a wider group of State sector Hounslow overall junior visits recorded for the relevant important club for England Hockey and has Schools through the junior development incumbent clubs. a junior waiting list. It has a water based AGP work of London Youth Rowing and Thames on the site but no changing facilities. They Tradesmen’s Rowing Club and Dukes Meadows Capacity constraints change in their club facility south of the Golf & Tennis Club which coaches pupils off river. This means they cannot deliver England site across the borough through its outreach A key constraint on developing new users for Hockey programmes on the site which require programme. However, the current poor public the sporting facilities on the site, particularly on site changing. Their AGP will need to be transport access to these facilities on site among the voluntary clubs, is the poor state refurbished in 12-18 months. It may be that if limits the accessibility of these clubs among and lack of ancillary accommodation. they replace it with a sand based AGP, it could a wider range of State schools. The Civil be used for training by one of the other team Service Lawn Tennis Club, for example, would Football: On Riverside Lands playing fields, sports. like help from the Council to recruit more there are 9 football pitches which generate up young players. to 18 teams on a Saturday and only 8 all male Rugby: The Chiswick Rugby Club has only two changing rooms in the Chiswick Boathouse, changing rooms on its Riverside Lands site There are a number of private schools using which currently houses the changing and and uses two in Chiswick Boathouse. It is the site as leaseholders/ tenants, namely Kings showering facilities for football. Teams must experiencing high growth of junior (mini rugby)

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.59 members. Currently they have three 3 rugby As a general guideline, allotment holders During the war much pitches, which just meet their current needs. usually visit their plots once a week from of Dukes Meadows was They are building on 4 new changing rooms November to February (17 weeks) and twice a to their clubhouse, but also need access to week from March and October (35 weeks). This given over to growing an AGP for training to prevent overuse of their equates to 87 visits per year per allotment plot third grass pitch used for training. which would generate approximately 40,000 fruit and vegetables to visits a year from allotment holders (87 visits There are also constraints on taking on new p.a. x 460 plots). support the war effort. members for rowing and tennis at Tideway Scullers and Dukes Meadows Golf & Tennis Club In addition, at the No1 Allotment site (occupies respectively which could possibly be relieved 6 plots at Dukes Meadows Allotments), there by cooperation with other rowing and tennis are six volunteers and 10-15 adults with club facilities elsewhere on the site. learning difficulties attending the site, as part of this community project, all day every Allotment holders Wednesday.

During the war much of Dukes Meadows was Farmers Market given over to growing fruit and vegetables to support the war effort. Hence the large A Farmer’s Market was established by Dukes amount of the site which is still used for Meadows Trust in 2000. It is a social enterprise allotment gardening. There are three allotment and the proceeds go toward maintaining and sites at Dukes Meadows, which are managed improving the park. It is held on a Sunday by Carillion on behalf of the Council, assisted between 10am and 2pm throughout the year by the Chiswick Horticultural and Allotment in the yard of Grove Park Farm House. It Society. attracts between 600 and 1200 visits every time. Assuming 50 weekends with 900 visits There are 472 plots in total of which there on average per Sunday, this market generates were around 12 vacant at the time of our some 45,000 visits per year. consultation due to turnover so 460 are being worked.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.60 1 Source; http://www.horr.co.uk/wordpress/about-horr/

Events From the interviews with the boat clubs based Rowing Events Month on site, it would appear that they are hosting There are a number of events which use Dukes around 6,000 visiting rowers and 1500 boats Oxford & Cambridge Boatrace March Meadows Park in one capacity or another. each year between them from the above row- These are either sport related or organised Head of the River March ing events. by one of the leaseholders on their site. The largest numbers of sporting events are the Women’s Head of the River March These visitors can cause considerable conges- rowing competitions held on the Tideway. tion on site, parking their cars and trailers all Events are cited by leaseholders as a challenge Head of the River Fours November along the promenade and it is important that for the site as they can cause congestion on all leaseholders are given advance notice of the roads, parking problems and are often Veterans Head March when they are taking place so that measures not notified and agreed in advance as per can be put in place to provide stewarding and Pairs Head October the Council’s by laws for Parks. event management as well as helping to ensure Veteran Fours Head November there is no event clash with another big event Rowing events taking place in the Park. Scullers Head December A large number of rowing events take place March is the peak month for events but the on the Tideway and include the Dukes Schools Head March actual dates vary according to tides etc. In ad- Meadows stretch of river. Many visiting clubs dition there are various regattas organised by use the rowing clubs along Dukes Meadows Quintin Head of the River January clubs up and down the river. frontage to launch their boats, park their Hammersmith Head of the River February trailers and cars and celebrate at the end There is a big international fun event on the Thames known as the Great River Race which of the day. Great River Race September 1 is known as London’s River Marathon, starting The Dukes Meadows clubs play host to all the from London Docklands and ending in Ham. It Head of the River Races as well as the Oxford is open to all kinds of rowing boats and attracts & Cambridge Boat Race which fall in the over 300 crews from all over the world, many in following months. Exact dates are dependent fancy dress. The Pier House organises an open on the tidal calendar.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.61 house party on the day. This is an example of Informal recreational use two ornamental shelters on either side for a stakeholder event which could be promoted several days, possibly observing a religious to a wider audience of Dukes Meadows Park Play facilities festival. users. The Park boasts a high quality water play area and adventure playground which are imagina- Walkers, joggers Other fun events tive and popular and which were installed as The site includes a long stretch of the Thames a result of the fundraising efforts of the Dukes Path which makes it popular with joggers and The Dukes Meadows Trust also run a series Meadows Trust. walkers, many coming across Barnes Bridge. of events for children throughout the year Dog walkers also make full use of the park. including an Easter Treasure Hunt and a There is no accurate figure for how much usage programme of Summer Fun events including these areas and the Recreation ground around Cycling donkey rides, a falconry display, Punch and them receive but anecdotally the Water Play Judy, Farm Animals and a circus workshop. and Adventure Play areas attract an estimated The overgrown condition of the path makes Some sort of “Apple Day” type event is usually 600-800 per day during the season. Assum- it less attractive to cyclists who are less fre- held in autumn. A free firework display is ing that the main season for these facilities is quently observed in the Park. Investment in organised with Cavendish Primary School PTA Easter to September, i.e. 26 weeks, and taking the Thames Path and continued dialogue with around Halloween. a lower average of 500 per day to account for TFL on the potential for Quietways infrastruc- bad weather, then the number of visits per ture will make this a more attractive proposi- There are also periodic car boot sales staged year is estimated at 91,000. tion for cyclists in the Pavilion car park. The additional informal use received by the Other informal use park from its immediate catchment area i.e. Anecdotally the Park is well used by various 1 kilometre radius or 10 minute walk, has been communities and families for outdoor picnics calculated earlier as 345,000 based on an ex- and barbeques. This was borne out during the trapolation of the Parks survey undertaken in study period when large gatherings of people Hounslow applied to the immediate catchment were observed around the Bandstand and the population. If the play visits are deducted.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.62 Volunteering At this stage we do not have clarity on the park does not help with wayfinding, referring number of volunteering hours that are dedicat- mainly to individual leaseholders. The Park’s leaseholders rely on a large number ed to keeping the activities going in the Park. of volunteers to run and organise their activ- Such information will be relevant to funders The only park related marketing activity is done ities and Dukes Meadows is an exemplar for and crucial to any planned funding bids. by the Dukes Meadows Trust which has its own well-run voluntary clubs. In addition The Dukes website and puts on an events programme. Meadows Trust who manages and maintains a Marketing & promotion Otherwise individual leaseholders conduct large area of Dukes Meadows works consist- their own separate marketing aimed at attract- ently with volunteers to facilitate and run their Currently the park lacks any cohesive identi- ing more members/visitors to their own sites. services. ty. Individual leaseholders promote their own sites in isolation. The LB Hounslow web pages As well as Dukes Meadows Trust, we have anec- are difficult to navigate and also divert the dotal evidence of a number of other voluntary visitor to Carillion’s web site and Dukes Mead- sector organisations being involved with Dukes ows Trust, which do not describe the park as Meadows activities and maintenance in the a whole. In all of the web page descriptions no past and to some extent in the present. These one site describes Dukes Meadows as a holistic groups include RSPB who are involved in a space. Despite the range of attractions in the Swift project, Thames 21 who deliver foreshore park the area is not promoted by the events clean ups on either side of the river and have team or by Carillion in the past been involved with Dukes Hollow, and the Thames Explorer Trust and London The lack of event coordination by a single body Wildlife Trust. has led to event clashes, run down common areas where there is confusion over responsibili- We are also aware that the Dukes Meadows ty for and a generally poor visitor experience. Trust use community and voluntary organisations to deliver aspects of their work, like The signage at the entrances to the park is Abundance for example. confusing and selective and signage inside the

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.63 3.6 Park User and Audience Development Conclusions & Recommendations

Description Conclusion Recommendation

Park Users

Dukes Meadows Park has a substantial and The local affluence can help to sustain existing and To investigate more revenue earning facilities relatively affluent immediate catchment new leisure facilities on the site, as well as helping to on site population with a higher than average subsidise use by lower income groups in the borough. The lower income population on the site could participation in physical activity. There is Access to the site by local poorer communities and be highlighted to help secure grant funding evidence that users are also coming outside the schools in Chiswick is good local catchment with a wider use for informal events The LSOA covering the park itself and the housing within and adjacent to it, falls within the lowest 25% of LSOAs making it more relevant to various grant sources

The sports clubs draw from a wider catchment Sports development among State schools in Chiswick Develop junior use and work with more schools including all of Chiswick, other parts of Richmond is well developed but does not extend much to and young people generally. and parts of Ealing and Hammersmith. They work the rest of Hounslow. This is partly due to public Investigate direct access from Barnes Bridge with local state and private schools. transport access being too far from the key facilities. footbridge. Highlight walkway to Chiswick Station through the site and Bus 190 access.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.64 Description Conclusion Recommendation

Park Users

Dukes Meadows is largely given over to formal The focus on the sport aspect of the site should not Engage with the LB Hounslow events team to recreational land comprising some 75% of the overshadow the free informal recreational aspects. begin to develop a programme around Dukes park’s total acreage. Meadows Theme based events and activities celebrating best about Dukes Meadows: Heritage, landscape, sport, food and well being.

Park Visitor Numbers anecdotal figures. The ratio The anecdotal evidence so far has shown that Dukes Run a Park Users Survey to establish visitor origin, of sports related visits to informal recreational Meadows Park is a fairly well used resource by frequency, age groups, ethnicity, accessibility to use of the site is estimated at 60:40 with over residents of Chiswick, Barnes and Mortlake. However facilities and facilities usage. 1 million visits all together. promotion needs to improve.

Audience development

High physical activity participation in area Constraints on new audience development or better Explore options for linking both sides of the site visitor experience due to: at Barnes Bridge with TFL, PLA and National Rail. Well run private & voluntary sports clubs who invest in the park Poor pedestrian experience and lack of access from Barnes Bridge Well regarded by Sports NGBs Poor public transport The Hounslow Playing Pitch Strategy has identified Dukes Meadows as one of the priority projects in Lack of parking spaces the borough which will greatly assist in obtaining backing and funding for the plans of the team sports

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.65 Description Conclusion Recommendation

Audience development

Football, Hockey and Rugby clubs are in need Constraints for growth of clubs due to inadequate Joint working between the three clubs concerned of new/enlarged changing facilities as well as or run down facilities or clubs close to full capacity. to develop plans and funding for shared new additional AGPs to be able to expand their facilities on Riverside Lands including AGPs to The use of Chiswick Boat house as changing rooms capacity. enable increased usage and sports participation. for the football and rugby clubs is tying up the future use of this building and new clubhouse facilities need to be developed on Riverside Land Playing Fields. The development of additional AGPs will release overused grass training areas for more pitches.

Capacity constraints on new members exist Cooperation could be explored between these clubs Engagement between these clubs and the Civil at Tideway Scullers and Dukes Meadows Golf and sites with spare capacity for rowing and tennis. Service Lawn Tennis Club should be encouraged. & Tennis Club.

Dukes Meadows Trust with good track record. There is a strong Dukes Meadows Trust in place Support and develop DMT to further its charitable (formerly Friends of Dukes Meadows) with a track aims and projects and develop projects which can Popular play areas & Farmers Market. record of raising considerable sums in revenue and raise the profile of the parks informal recreation. capital for investment in the Recreation Ground and buildings.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.66 Description Conclusion Recommendation

Audience development

Marketing & Promotion The lack of a cohesive marketing and promotion Agree and coordinate a joint marketing activity, strategy with a single focused ownership, has led to to include a joint web page, events diary, shared self-promotion and no coordination of events and branding for collateral material and signage. activities. Considered park signage at the entrances and to Uncoordinated events and overcrowding by traffic show historical interpretation. and pedestrians. Leaseholders to develop collective responsibility Poor promotion and lack of coherent signage. for the visitor experience.

Internal and external stakeholder projects Investments by stakeholders need central See Stakeholder engagement table in 4.2 development coordination coordination to maximise opportunity.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.67 3.7 Sport development and facilities There is the potential for the Riverside lands Owing to the numerous to be a Parklife hub site. Parklife is a £150 teams that play and use Riverside Lands Parklife project million pound project that has just launched in London and isbeing rolled out across 30 the facilities at Dukes There are several projects being progressed UK towns and cities to revitalise grass roots by the sports clubs using Riverside Lands football on a sustainable basis with FA and Meadows the FA deem including Old Meadonians, Chiswick Rugby Sport England funding. The FA welcomes the it to be a site of high Club and Barnes Hockey Club all of which are involvement of other sports clubs in such a in need of new facilities on this site including project which can make use of the facilities priority for football clubhouse and AGPs. This offers and help to increase their viability. The Parklife the opportunity of sharing some facilities. concept usually involves two full size floodlit Artificial Grass Pitches sited among good If Old Meadonians can relocate its changing quality natural grass pitches combined with and social facilities to a clubhouse on the site, appropriate clubhouse facilities this will have the added benefit of releasing space in the Chiswick Boathouse for a more Given that there is currently a window of comprehensive water sports project with opportunity for significant funding from the FA, supporting commercial elements. Chiswick it is recommended that the relevant parties Rugby Club has planning permission to add meet soon to discuss their common goals, 4 more changing rooms on to its existing identify what facilities they are looking for, clubhouse and, once built, will no longer and prepare an initial proposal for the FA to need changing rooms in the Boathouse. explore how they could collaborate to achieve their respective goals. Owing to the numerous teams that play and use the facilities at Dukes Meadows the FA deem it to be a site of high priority for football.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.68 Chiswick Boathouse – New Water Sports Pre-requisites of any aspiration for a new Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Centre Proposal water sports centre is that: The RYA is generally supportive of a sailing offer at Chiswick Boathouse. There are One of the Council’s aspirations for Dukes • Alternative clubhouse/pavilion facilities several sailing clubs nearby such as the South Meadows is to develop a more comprehensive should be found for the football and Bank Sailing Club at Putney Embankment, offer of a range of water sports on the rugby clubs, for example through pursuing London Corinthian Sailing Club on Upper Chiswick Boathouse site which can be made the Parklife project above and the Rugby Mall, Hammersmith, Albany Park Canoe and accessible to young people all over the Club’s clubhouse expansion plan. Sailing centre run by Kingston Borough Council borough. The current site and building is • The facilities must be sustainable and viable and Tamesis Sailing Club at Teddington. They in very poor condition and underused. and at least revenue neutral from Council believe there is plenty of demand for more subsidies. It was originally leased to Thames Tradesmen capacity on the Thames. Rowing Club and Hounslow Hockey Club. British Rowing British Canoe Union The latter no longer exists and the Rowing British Rowing see Thames Tradesman’s Rowing Club has formed a joint venture with the Old Although it has not been possible to have a full Club as the most likely candidate to promote Meadonians FC whereby all costs and income interview with the BCU, they have indicated rowing from the site in close cooperation with associated with the building are shared that they would support another canoeing London Youth Rowing (LYR) which has helped equally. This has not yet been recognised centre at Chiswick Boathouse. the club to expand with a growing junior through a variation of the lease. The football section led by LYR. It is seen as having the club has all its changing accommodation in the potential to expand as it has the facility, ability boathouse using 8 changing rooms. A further and capacity. British Rowing would help the complication is that a further two changing club grow as would LYR. The site is also used rooms are used by Chiswick Rugby Club. Carp by Chiswick School (state), who have done for parking associated with the site on the other years. side of Dan Mason’s Drive is used by Barnes Hockey Club.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.69 4. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 4. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

4.1 Introduction As part of this process we have reviewed and Anyone who visits, uses identified internal and external stakeholders or has an interest in Part of the work we have undertaken for LB who should be part of the strategy. We Hounslow has included the development of achieved this through interviews, reviews Dukes Meadows or is a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, which of previous studies and by holding two will help define a framework for the LB Stakeholder workshops. affected by activities Hounslow to work with, facilitate and support in, or policies of, Dukes key stakeholders in Dukes Meadows. For the Details of the internal and principal external purposes of Dukes Meadows we have used stakeholders, who have been consulted during Meadows the following definition for a stakeholder: the study, — are set out in Appendix 1 (P.79) 'Anyone who visits, uses or has an interest in Dukes Meadows or is affected by activities in, or policies of, Dukes Meadows'

This Strategy sets out a suggested vision for stakeholder engagement and provides a framework for LB Hounslow to;

Better plan, deliver and monitor the effectiveness of engagement and to allow Stakeholders to have a dialogue with LB Hounslow.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.71 The current status 4.2 Stakeholder engagement only be successful if there is consensus mechanisms and agreement from all the Stakeholders and of Dukes Meadows in acceptance that to make the park a first class The current status of Dukes Meadows in facility key barriers such as access and egress relation to governance, relation to governance, management and and management need to be resolved stewardship is fragmented and this in part management and stew- is due to the physical makeup of the park. The following table describes mechanisms for engagement with Stakeholders. ardship is fragmented As the park has organically developed at and this in part is due different times, any overall strategic master- In interviews with the internal and external planning has been lost. This has resulted in silo stakeholders, all sited communication, to the physical makeup development and a lack of a cohesive overview marketing, promotion and general information in its landscape character. This coupled with being of paramount importance and raised this of the park. the lack of infrastructure investment over the as an issue that needed to be addressed. years and disagreement on aspects of manage- Furthermore, nearly all stakeholders agreed ment, has left Dukes Meadows in need of coor- that regular communication and a more formal dination, restoration and strategic planning. stakeholder structure would be welcome. Whilst investment and development has The Council will facilitate the above in order taken place recently and notably through the to improve stewardship, governance and endeavors of the Dukes Meadows Trust, there communication. The stakeholder management are now opportunities to further enhance group will be able to oversee, develop and the site through investment and development work in partnership with L B Hounslow to by Stakeholder investment and the Council implement and manage an integrated approach investment. to the overall investment, development and Consultation and review of base line services preservation of Dukes Meadows. has made the issues of the park very apparent. However further investment in the park will

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.72 Stakeholder Possible Method Who

Web pages, notice boards, events, leaflets, local Park event organisers newspapers, social media. Delivery organisations Regular opportunities to ‘meet the team’ and give Park management Park Visitor or Users feedback to team/ delivery organisations Leaseholders Clubs *Possible Need for a coordination officer

Annual forum meeting Stakeholder management group fromed by: Stakeholder meetings Park management Meet the team Clubs Local Park Stakeholder Surgeries Leaseholder reps Volunteering days Taster sessions Emails and letters

Participate in key stakeholder management group Leaseholders, freeholders and LB Hounslow Develop and conduct surveys/ market research Partner Organisation Develop and implement joint projects Oversee implementation of management plans

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.73 4.3 External Stakeholder consultation • More public facilities Specific issues raised by stakeholders are • More connection with the path and signage shared with leaseholders, and have been to Chiswick Pier and the Trust reported in the report above, however some • More connection with Chiswick House very specific issues were raised by external and development of a heritage trail stakeholders: • More seating • Improved web pages • A central pavilion for all • Directory for the park siting its Clubs and facilities and whom to contact to report • Changing facilities and toilets issues or book events • More advertising of the food offers • Access to the LB Hounslow Events team available to the public • Under 5;s Play areas • Joint meetings with other Stakeholders • Improvements to the externals of the Community Centre

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.74 5.CONCLUSIONS : DUKES MEADOWS - A SHARED VISION FOR WIDER CONSULTATION 5.1 Shared Vision • Improving the formal sports offer and To conserve and informal opportunities to improve health enhance sustainably, The need for an integrated approach to public and wellbeing and access to sport. and private land within Dukes Meadow is for the enjoyment of this long standing. After the analysis described • Realise the potential of Dukes Meadows thoughout the report a vision emerged from and in particular the Chiswick Boathouse and future generations, the existing qualities of Dukes Meadows and as a catalyst for a centre for water sports the landscape, opportunities for enhancement of the user excellence. experience • Improve public access and invest in projects biodiversity, heritage which enhance the community value of and sporting excellence the site. • Enhance and restore nature conservation of Dukes Meadows. through protection and enhancement of 5.2 Vision statement existing assets. ‘To conserve and enhance sustainably, for the • Prioritise investment in public open space enjoyment of this and future generations, the and issues relating to maintenance to halt landscape, biodiversity, heritage and sporting the further degradation of the landscape excellence of Dukes Meadows.’ at Dukes Meadow. • The proposals included in the Dukes The vision can be framed by focusing key Meadows Transport and Access Strategy themes: should be reassessed in the context of a • Restore and enhance Landscape character Landscape masterplan particularly focusing by re-establishing the connection to on the Thames path. the River Thames and interpreting • Provide a forum for Stakeholders to come heritage assets. together and address common issues and solutions.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.76 5.3 Masterplanning approach • Improve and rationalise boundary treatments • Facilitate joint working between the clubs across the site to better integrate buildings concerned to develop plans and funding The next step would be to develop a and structures within their landscape setting for shared new changing and AGP facilities comprehensive landscape masterplan on Riverside Lands. for Dukes Meadows and the feasibility of • Reduce visual impact of car parking across the identified sport development projects. the site and notably noise of traffic from • Establish concept and feasibility of a multi Chiswick Bridge approach. activity centre based on water sports at Chiswick Boat House. Specific opportunities for consideration • Restore and enhance heritage features during the development of the masterplan: notably entrance gateways to formalise sense • Enhancement of the 1920’s riverside of arrival and welcome. promenade and associated facilities, • Develop a comprehensive wayfinding such as the terraces, bandstand and strategy in partnership with public toilets, railings. and private stakeholders. • Diversification of habitats across Dukes • Improve the footpath and enhance Meadows. the experience of using the Thames Path • Establish a landscape view management through Dukes Meadows, based on the strategy. recommendations in the Thames Path Atkins study. • Consider a long-term tree planting strategy across Dukes Meadows in partnership with • Explore opportunities to improve public and private stakeholders to ensure accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists landscape structure is managed for future at Chiswick and Barnes Bridge. generations.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.77 5.4 Audience development approach Joint marketing: Informal recreation: Agree and coordinate a joint marketing Support and develop DMT to further its Audience development approach activity, to include a joint web page, events charitable aims and develop projects which for consideration diary, shared branding for collateral material can raise the profile of the parks informal and signage. recreation. Research visitors and characteristics: Develop entry signage and historical inter- Funding: Carry out a Park Users Survey to establish pretation. visitor origin, frequency, age groups, ethnicity, Highlight the lower income population accessibility to facilities and facilities usage. Events: on the site to help secure grant funding. Income generation: Develop a programme of theme based events around Dukes Meadows. Investigate more revenue earning facilities on site to take advantage of footfall. Joint working by stakeholders to coordinate major events on site. Youth development: Sports investment projects: Develop junior use and work with more schools and young people generally. Joint working between the clubs concerned to develop plans and funding for shared new Access: facilities on Riverside Lands. Investigate direct access from Barnes Bridge Feasibility study on nature and viability of footbridge. water sports hub based on Chiswick Boat Highlight walkway to Chiswick Station through House. the site and Bus 190 access.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.78 APPENDIX 1: STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION & STAKEHOLDER GROUPINGS APPENDIX 1 STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION & STAKEHOLDER GROUPINGS

The following represent the internal • Dukes Meadows Trust • Stephen Marks (Dukes Meadows Golf and external stakeholders. The internal • Dukes Meadows Community Association & Tennis Club) stakeholders are being represented by • Chiswick Cricket Club • Tideway Scullers School their freehold or leaseholder status and • Masonians Bowls Club management responsibilities. • King's House School Trust (King's House School Sports Ground – • Virgin Group (Riverside Health Internal Stakeholders including, the Civil Service Lawn Tennis Club) & Racquets Club) • Civil Service Lawn Tennis Club (based • Number One Allotment Chiswick Trust • LB Hounslow Parks at King’s House School Sports Ground) • Chiswick Horticultural Society • LB Hounslow Sports Development • CSSC Properties Ltd (Civil Service Boathouse • Local Ward Councilors for Chiswick • LB Hounslow Highways and slipway) including - Cygnet Rowing Club Homelands, Chiswick Riverside and • LB Hounslow Planning and Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club Turnham Green • LB Hounslow Property Services • The Governors of United Westminster • Cabinet Portfolio Councilors – • LB Hounslow Events and Cultural Schools (Emanuel School Boathouse) Leisure and Culture Services Team • Old Meadonians Football Club • Leader of the Council • LB Hounslow Music Service • Barnes Sports Club Limited (Dukes Meadows • Carillion Services – Allotments, Grounds Hockey Pitch) Maintenance, Arboriculture, Ecology, Events • Chiswick Rugby FC Limited • Billfinger GVA • Chiswick Cricket Club • The Trustees of Masonian Bowls Club • Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.80 External Stakeholders • Environment Agency • RSPB • Grove Park Group Residents Association • Royal Yachting Association • Barnes Community Association • Greater London Authority • Rugby Football Union • Brentford & Chiswick Historical Society • Historic England • Sport England • British Canoeing • Laidlaw Education • Thames 21 • British Rowing • Lawn Tennis Association • Thames Explorer Trust • Cavendish Primary School • London Borough Hammersmith and Fulham • Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea • Chiswick House & Gardens Trust • London Borough of Richmond • The Boat Race • Chiswick Pier Trust • London Wildlife Trust • The Football Association • Old Chiswick Protection Group • London Youth Rowing • The Meadows Montessori School • Chiswick School • Middlesex Football Association • Transport for London • Chiswick Wharf Residents Association • Natural England (nature reserve) • West London River Group • East Chiswick Residents Association • Network Rail • England Cricket Board • Port of London Authority • England Hockey

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.81 Stakeholder groupings

Stakeholders have been grouped into three categories; these include internal and external combinations:

Local Park Stakeholder Individuals or groups who have an interest in their local park, including Friends Groups, local residents, local businesses and elected local representatives such as local councilors and MPs.

Local Ward elected members Cllrs for Turnham Green, Chiswick Riverside, Chiswick Homelands

Local residents See community/ residential associations

Dukes Meadows grounds management and maintenance operatives, Ecology Local Carillion operatives Officer, Arbs team, Site Manager

Local Businesses Laidlaw Education – private school and consultancy

Chiswick Wharf Residents Association East Chiswick Residents Association Community / residential associations Barnes Community Association Grove Park Group Residents Association

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.82 Local Park Stakeholder Individuals or groups who have an interest in their local park, including Friends Groups, local residents, local businesses and elected local representatives such as local councilors and MPs.

Brentford & Chiswick Historical Society Historical societies Chiswick House & Gardens Trust (and Partner Organisation) Old Chiswick Protection Group

Volunteers Derived through delivery/ partner organisation's

Cavendish Primary School Chiswick School Local schools Laidlaw Education The Meadows Montessori School

West London River Group Riverside Riparian societies Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea

RSPB Swift project Biodiversity groups Dukes Hollow – Thames 21/ LWT

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.83 Partner Organisation's This group includes organisations with a role in the governance of Dukes Meadows or who contribute to investment or funding of Dukes Meadows. It includes organisations with which Dukes Meadows partners to deliver key objectives or activities and/or who provide funding for key projects.

Various departments - Parks, Sports, Events, Planning, Highways, LB Hounslow Property, Public Health

Other Local Authorities London Borough Hammersmith and Fulham & London Borough of Richmond

Leaseholders Listed above as internal

Freeholders Listed above as internal

Allotments Listed above as internal

Carillion Contract Manager

British Canoeing British Rowing England Cricket Board Sporting governing bodies and sports organisation’s England Hockey Lawn Tennis Association London Youth Rowing

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.84 Partner Organisation's This group includes organisations with a role in the governance of Dukes Meadows or who contribute to investment or funding of Dukes Meadows. It includes organisations with which Dukes Meadows partners to deliver key objectives or activities and/or who provide funding for key projects.

Middlesex FA Royal Yachting Association Rugby Football Union Sporting governing bodies and sports organisation’s Sport England The Boat Race The Football Association

Environment Agency Natural England Port of London Authority Network Rail Statutory Organisation's Transport for London/ TFL Greater London Authority Historic England Public Health England

London Wildlife Trust Thames 21 Voluntary delivery Organisation's Royal Society for Protection of Birds Thames Explorer Trust Chiswick Pier Trust

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.85 Partner Organisation's This group includes organisations with a role in the governance of Dukes Meadows or who contribute to investment or funding of Dukes Meadows. It includes organisations with which Dukes Meadows partners to deliver key objectives or activities and/or who provide funding for key projects.

Heritage Lottery Fund External Funding Bodies Big Lottery

Partners contracted or licensed to deliver park activities Events, catering and sports activities, play, music

Park Visitors or Users This group includes the 1000’s of visitors to Dukes Meadows each year, whether for recreation, relaxation or entertainment. It includes park users who commute on foot, by bike or by car. It includes people visiting the park and enjoying lunch, a boat trip on the Thames, or an organised sports activity. These visitors may be young or old, able or disabled, visiting alone or in groups, and they will come from varied cultural backgrounds.

DUKES MEADOWS BASE LINE REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY P.86 THANK YOU