Ealing Residents Voice Concerns Over New Drainage Ponds in Lammas Park
Local opposition grows as safety and public health fears rise regarding newly constructed drainage basins adjacent to children's play areas.
In Ealing, London, concerns are mounting among residents regarding the construction of drainage ponds in Lammas Park, recently developed as part of Ealing Council’s initiative to create sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) intended to alleviate local flooding issues.
The initiative commenced in May 2024 and aims to manage rainwater runoff effectively.
Opponents, particularly parents in the area, have expressed serious safety concerns, citing the proximity of the newly constructed basin to a children’s play area.
They fear that young children may accidentally fall into the ponds and are also worried about potential public health risks associated with storm water, which can contain sewage runoff from the area’s drainage system.
Zoë Dobson, a local resident and organiser of a petition against the ponds, reported that her efforts had gathered nearly 1,000 signatures.
She articulated her frustrations about the council's lack of responsiveness to community concerns, stating, “This should be a decision taken by elected councillors on the Planning Committee, not unelected council officers.”
Following inquiries from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ealing Council acknowledged the petition and stated it has paused construction work in Lammas Park to reassess based on community feedback.
The council emphasized that safety was a priority in the design of the project, citing the installation of a fence around the basins to mitigate risks.
A spokesperson for Ealing Council confirmed that they are collaborating with The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for a thorough inspection to ensure safety measures are adequate.
This review will take place before the ponds are opened to the public.
In light of these developments, temporary safety measures are currently in place, and any permanent modifications will be subject to planning approval.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends maintaining a minimum distance of 30 meters between open water and children's playgrounds; reports indicate that the Lammas Park basin is closer than this guideline.
In addition to safety concerns, several residents have raised issues regarding the public consultation process prior to the construction.
Dobson noted that many local individuals felt uninformed about the project, leading to calls for a more inclusive consultation process.
Ealing Council, in response, underscored the importance of the Lammas Park SuDS project in protecting local residents and properties from flooding, while also enhancing biodiversity within the park.
Local councillors have engaged with residents to facilitate discussions around the project and its implications.
The initiative commenced in May 2024 and aims to manage rainwater runoff effectively.
Opponents, particularly parents in the area, have expressed serious safety concerns, citing the proximity of the newly constructed basin to a children’s play area.
They fear that young children may accidentally fall into the ponds and are also worried about potential public health risks associated with storm water, which can contain sewage runoff from the area’s drainage system.
Zoë Dobson, a local resident and organiser of a petition against the ponds, reported that her efforts had gathered nearly 1,000 signatures.
She articulated her frustrations about the council's lack of responsiveness to community concerns, stating, “This should be a decision taken by elected councillors on the Planning Committee, not unelected council officers.”
Following inquiries from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ealing Council acknowledged the petition and stated it has paused construction work in Lammas Park to reassess based on community feedback.
The council emphasized that safety was a priority in the design of the project, citing the installation of a fence around the basins to mitigate risks.
A spokesperson for Ealing Council confirmed that they are collaborating with The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for a thorough inspection to ensure safety measures are adequate.
This review will take place before the ponds are opened to the public.
In light of these developments, temporary safety measures are currently in place, and any permanent modifications will be subject to planning approval.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends maintaining a minimum distance of 30 meters between open water and children's playgrounds; reports indicate that the Lammas Park basin is closer than this guideline.
In addition to safety concerns, several residents have raised issues regarding the public consultation process prior to the construction.
Dobson noted that many local individuals felt uninformed about the project, leading to calls for a more inclusive consultation process.
Ealing Council, in response, underscored the importance of the Lammas Park SuDS project in protecting local residents and properties from flooding, while also enhancing biodiversity within the park.
Local councillors have engaged with residents to facilitate discussions around the project and its implications.
