‘London’s best kept secret’ lands award

Walthamstow Wetlands on the borders of Haringey has won a prestigious planning award. 

A project, which seeks to turn a four square kilometre site made up of 10 reservoirs in the heart of the east end into an urban nature reserve, received a London Planning Award. 

It won ‘Best Conceptual Project’ and on making the award, London Mayor Boris Johnson described it as ‘London's best kept secret’. 

The award is a real boost to the council in its aim to secure Heritage Lottery Funding to take the scheme forward. 

The project would open up Walthamstow Reservoirs to the public, creating a distinctive urban wetland centre and nature reserve that would also include a ‘Water and Life’ visitor centre and other facilities. 

Council leader Chris Robbins said: “The site borders the boroughs of Waltham Forest, Haringey and Hackney, so it will benefit residents of all three boroughs. It is also easily accessible to wider parts of London, so I’m sure it will appeal to people further afield too. 

“The Wetlands project will give people in this part of east London the chance to find out more about nature conservation and the area's industrial heritage and the chance to enjoy the improved wildlife habitats, new play areas and heritage and nature trails that we have plans for.” 

The reservoirs are the largest manmade bodies of water in London and the Walthamstow Water treatment works supplies more than 1.5m people with tap water. It is the largest fishery in London as well as being a site of international importance for the abundance of wildlife.