Forum Topic

Carville Hall Park rumoured closure

Has anyone else heard the rumours of the planned closure and destruction of parts of Carville Hall Park? I was told today that there are plans to fill in the pond, destroy the playground and cut down many of the mature trees, all at the behest of Barratts and the GWQ development. I find it hard to credit - one of the contractors told me a couple of weeks ago the pond was only to be "restored" - but has anyone out there got more knowledge of this?

Bryan Betts ● 6250d8 Comments

Hi Luke,As you suggested, I'm posting a few further queries on this...>I have the pleasure of project managing the changes to >Carville Hall Park South. I work for West Play a local >charitable organisation that has been commissioned by BWL >to spend their £365,000 S106 obligation to the park.I have to say I'm concerned that this is spending money for the sake of spending money...>When/if we get permission from the council we will be>shuting the park for a short period of time to make the>improvments.Who (or what office) in the council is responsible for making this decision? And how long is "a short period of time"?>The main part of the plans are to improve the play offer>in the park. The current tired play area will be replaced >with a design led ball games area and further play >features will be located in the park including what we >think is a very exciting water and sand play area.The current playground is scruffy, but quite functional and popular. Why can't it just be tidied up?Also, the current playground is aimed at 7-14 year-olds. A ball-games area will attract an older crowd - is this wise, and what has been the response of park residents to this possibility?>The pond will be cleared and generaly tidied up.So definitely not filled in? And how come this work has already started (draining the pond) when you imply that your plan doesn't yet have permission from the council? Is Scotscape working for you, for BWL, or for the council?>We will also be improving the paths and yes we will be >clearing some of the trees. However most of these will be >the overgrown evergreens that are causing a problem to the >more muture deciduous trees that we want to keep and some>of the seed fall growth that hasn't been managed in the >past. Are any of the deciduous trees due for the chop under your plans? Where and why? >All our planned works have been informed by ecolgical >reports on the current state of the trees and wildlife.Where can park users see copies of your plans and of the ecological reports?>The plans were drawn up and discussed in consoltation with >local users of the Park (me being one of them) An advisory >group was set up that included members of the Haverfield >Residents Association, Towers Residents Association, >Brentford Toy Library and Residents of the Park. Other >local residents also got involved.When was this advisory group formed, and how can interested parties join it?>We also spent the day in the park to pick up the views of >any regular users we might have missed.It's curious that I've not yet managed to find another regular user who'll admit to having been consulted. I will keep asking around though!>The park will continue to be screened from the M4/A4 by >it's trees. That's good to know.

Bryan Betts ● 6246d

Are the plans available online anywhere?

Karen Adams ● 6247d

Thanks Luke, it's good to hear there was some consultation - although it must have missed us. Perhaps there could be some information about the plans posted *in* the park. Incidentally, how long is the park likely to be closed for, and when are the contractors starting on restoring the pond? It's been mostly empty for a week or two now, and will start filling up again from the rain soon. OK, maybe not, but still... (-:

Bryan Betts ● 6247d

Thanks Luke. That's great to hear. Wishing you all the best that it is a success

Michael Brandt ● 6247d

The plans were drawn up and discussed in consoltation with local users of the Park (me being one of them) An advisory group was set up that included members of the Haverfield Residents Association, Towers Residents Association, Brentford Toy Library and Residents of the Park. Other local residents also got involved.We also spent the day in the park to pick up the views of any regular users we might have missed.The park will continue to be screened from the M4/A4 by it's trees.

Luke Kirton ● 6247d

I do hope the people who actually use the park were consulted. That's a lot of money and we need to know that every penny  spent delivers the quality that that sort of sum should ensure. Something that seems to have been rather dubvious in this town of lateEvery effort should be made to ensure that trees are planted and maintained to screen and filter the noise and dirt from the A4.After all, it's our children that will use the park not the ad men of barrats publicity machine.

Michael Brandt ● 6248d

Hi Bryan,I have the pleasure of project managing the changes to Carville Hall Park South. I work for West Play a local charitable organisation that has been commissioned by BWL to spend their £365,000 S106 obligation to the park.When/if we get permission from the council we will be shuting the park for a short period of time to make the improvments.The main part of the plans are to improve the play offer in the park. The current tired play area will be replaced with a design led ball games area and further play features will be located in the park including what we think is a very exciting water and sand play area.The pond will be cleared and generaly tidied up.We will also be improving the paths and yes we will be clearing some of the trees. However most of these will be the overgrown evergreens that are causing a problem to the more muture deciduous trees that we want to keep and some of the seed fall growth that hasn't been managed in the past. All our planned works have been informed by ecolgical reports on the current state of the trees and wildlife.If you have a queries at all please do not hesitate to contact me.

Luke Kirton ● 6248d

Haven't GWQ been marketing their flats as having a view of Carville Hall Park (if you squint under the flyover)? If anything, I'd expect them to be tarting it up.

Susan Kelly ● 6249d