Little Britain Lake Management Plan
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Little Britain Lake Management Plan 2013 – 2017 Green Spaces Team London Borough of Hillingdon Green Flag Winner Since 2008 Little Britain Lake Management Plan 1. Introduction to Little Britain Lake Situated between the River Colne and Frays River is an attractive lake, which is called ‘Little Britain’ because of its similar shape to the British Isles (see Map 1). The lake covers approximately 14 acres, and was formed as the result of gravel extraction in the early 1930s. The islands in the lake were made from Hornbeam stakes and woven with Hornbeam/birch to 2ft below surface then top 2ft with willow. All materials were from LBH woods in the north of the borough. Some of the islands were new and others were existing islands that were reinforced and provide a safe habitat for many water birds, such as mallards and tufted ducks. The lake offers a beautiful location for a gentle stroll or summer picnic, and provides a quiet respite from the neighboring towns of Uxbridge and Yiewsley. The pathway, laid around the western edge of the lake in the early part of 2005, has been identified as especially suitable for users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs, and people with impaired mobility. Little Britain is open every day throughout the year. Toilet facilities and a café can be found at Packet Boat Marina, which is approximately 250 meters from the lake. There is also a picnic area on site. Little Britain is approximately 300 meters off Cowley Road. The nearest train station is West Drayton, and the 222 bus serves near to the area. The Trails of Discovery, Cowley, encircles the site. There is also a Healthy Walk for Little Britain. 2 Little Britain Lake Management Plan 2. How to use this Plan This plan provides the aims, objectives, background information, and plans for the management of Little Britain Lake. Information relating to the site’s key objectives can be found at: Aim Objective Project Plan Create and maintain a welcoming site p 13 LBL-2 p32 LBL-15 p31 Ensure the site is healthy, safe and secure p 14 LBL-5 p22 LBL-6 p23 LBL-11 p28 Ensure the site is clean and well maintained p 17 LBL-2 p32 LBL-5 p22 Ensure sustainable management of resources p 19 LBL-9 p26 LBL-10 p27 Appropriate management of conservation and p 22 LBL-1 p31 heritage features LBL-4-21 p29-41 Encourage community involvement p 23 LBL-3 p27 Appendix F,G Ensure effective marketing of the facility p 24 LBL-12 p35 3 Little Britain Lake Management Plan 3. Table of Contents Page Introducing Little Britain Lake 2 How to Use This Plan 3 Table of Contents 4 Site Summary 5 Map 1 – Walks in Little Britain Lake 7 Map 2 - Aerial Photograph of Little Britain Lake 8 Map 3 – Planned Improvements 9 Map 4 – Location of Cowley in London 10 Vision for Little Britain Lake 12 Site Aims and Objectives 13 Ecology Management Actions 26 Management Actions and Maintenance Plan 29 a) 5 Year Plan 29 b) Individual Project Plans 30 c) Regular Maintenance Plan 30 Appendices Appendix A – Introduction to the London Borough of 37 Hillingdon Appendix B – Site Deeds 40 Appendix C – Grounds Maintenance Standards 42 Appendix D – Site Marketing Analysis and Plan 44 Appendix E – Site Events and Marketing Material 47 Appendix F – Council Plan – Commitment to Green Flag 49 Appendix G – Family Fishing Fun Day 51 Appendix H - Species 52 4 Little Britain Lake Management Plan 4. Site Summary Details Site Name Little Britain Lake Address Packet Boat Lane, Cowley Postcode UB8 2JR Grid Reference TQ 049813 Ownership London Borough of Hillingdon Name of Lead Officer Timothy Gutierrez Lead Officer’s contact details Green spaces Team Civic Centre 4W/08 High St, Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 1UW Phone:01895 250456 Fax: 01895 250 646 E-mail: [email protected] Date site acquired 1st April 1971 PPG17 designation Site of Importance for Nature Conservation London Parks typology designation Site of Importance for Nature Conservation Key features Importance and links to local area It forms a link to the Cowley Walk, part of Trails of Discovery and the Colne Valley Park Key habitats Lake, river, scrub Sporting features Angling swims Other recreational / leisure facilities Resting and picnic benches Access Main Entrance: car park at the end of Packet Boat Lane Other Entrance: car park at Old Mill Lane Bus 222 then walk 300m Other designations Importance for nature conservation Site of Importance for Nature Conservation Conservation Area yes Byelaws The local byelaws for parks and open spaces apply to this site BAP species Bullfinch, Song Thrush 5 Little Britain Lake Management Plan 4.1. Site Description: Little Britain Lake is a beautiful and scenic lake and surrounding footpaths, situated between the River Colne and Frays River. The lake is the result of gravel extraction in the early 1930s. The control it was taken back into London Borough of Hillingdon care in 1983, after being out on lease to a private tenant who had the control of the angling rights. View across Little Britain Lake London Loop runs through the site on its western side, Colne Valley Trail through south and eastern side, while Trails of Discovery circle around the site (see Map 1) The site incorporates a variety of attractive features including: Wildlife of the lake and associated habitats DDA compliant footpaths and access Litter bins and benches Picnic area The location of these features is shown in maps 3. 6 Little Britain Lake Management Plan Map 1 - Aerial Photograph of Little Britain Lake 7 Little Britain Lake Management Plan Map 2 – Aerial Photograph of walks through Little Britain Lake Trails of Discovery London Loop Little Britain Lake Colne Valley Trail 1:7,468 Celandine Route 0 50 100 200 300 400 ¹ Meters This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission ofOrdnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. LB Hillingdon 100019283 2007 8 Little Britain Lake Management Plan Location and Access: Little Britain is situated between Uxbridge and Yiewsley approximately 300-metres off A408 Cowley Road. Access by car can be gained from Packing Boat Lane and Old Mill Lane. No buses visit the site, so a 300-metre walk along Packet Boat Lane is necessary (please note that the paths to the site are quite narrow and there is a short but fairly steep bridge over the canal). Catch bus number 222 and alight at the Paddington Packet Boat Public House. The park sits within the Colne River Valley and recreational paths within the park form part of a much wider recreational route network. It could be accessed by Colne Valley Trail, London Loop or Trails of Discovery (Cowley). One pathway around the lake had been sealed with asphalt and provides an adequate route for visitors with impaired mobility. Map 4 – Location of Little Britain Lake, in the Ward of Uxbridge South, in London. By road, Little Britain Lake is approximately: 17 miles from the centre of London 4 miles from Heathrow airport 2.5 miles from the M40 0.5 miles from M25 2.4 miles from the M4 9 Little Britain Lake Management Plan 4.1.1 History: The Lake is named Little Britain Lake because of its shape. The earliest records in the deeds of the site are the issuing of an easement from the then owners, Sabey and Co. Ltd., to the Uxbridge Urban District Council for a sewer, and its upkeep, at the most northern part of the lake, dated 30th Oct 1923. The site was later sold by Sabey and Co. Ltd (who still own some of the surrounding area) to the Administrative County of Middlesex on 25th March 1947 (see appendix B). It was then leased to what was then the Urban District Council of Uxbridge by them (from 25th Sept 1947). It was transferred to London Borough of Hillingdon on 1st April 1971 after the London Authorities (Transfer of Parks and Open Spaces) Order 1971. The most recent correspondence about the site in the site deeds has been regarding fishing rights, which LBH lease out. The part of the water known as the ‘Old Ballast Pit’ has been leased out since Sabey and CO. Ltd owned it. 10 Little Britain Lake Management Plan 4.1.2 Access Little Britain Lake is situated sandwiched between the River Colne and Old Mill lane. There is a formal entrance and small car park off of Old Mill Lane and there is parking and access from Packet Boat Lane. 4.1.3 Recreational Facilities Little Britain has a circular path around the site, part of which is tarmac and DDA compliant along the western side. There are also various footpath networks which cross the site. These are: Colne Valley Trail, London Loop. Trails of Discovery – Cowley. There is a grassed area to the North of the site which is the picnic area with benches. Various fishing platforms are placed around the site with platforms DDA compliant on the western side. Benches are sited at various points around the site. Dog bins are present at the entrances. 4.1.4 Present Use The site is currently used for the following activities: Walking, Cycling Bird watching Angling. 4.1.5 Management Arrangements: The Park is managed by the London Borough of Hillingdon’s Green Spaces Team (see Appendix A for Green Spaces Structure). The lead contact for the site is the Countryside and Conservation Officer (South) who also directs the day-to-day ecological works.