Flats plans for reservoir haven

Novelist Doris Lessing

AMATEUR sleuths including novelist Doris Lessing have been recruited by a residents’ group fighting to save a reservoir site that has become a haven for wildlife.
The Gondar Gardens residents association is asking members to keep tabs on a number of wildlife species including rare slow worms, bats, beetles and foxes which they say are under threat if Thames Water builds on the site.
They are hoping their evidence will prove that the old reservoir, built at the back of Mill Lane and Gondar Gardens in 1872 but taken out of use two years ago, has become a valuable wildlife sanctuary.
Ms Lessing, who has lived in Gondar Gardens for the last 25 years, told the New Journal that she has been filling out questionnaires to help the campaign.
She said: “I feed the birds at least once a day, usually at 6 in the morning. It’s been a very good breeding season. There are lots of new blackbirds and starlings this season.
“It is a valuable site and they want to build on it simply because they will get a lot of money from it. But it will be a tremendous loss to the neighbourhood and the end of the wildlife. It should be left as it is.”
The land is currently marked as “private open space” by Camden Council in its draft Unitary Development Plan (UDP). The plan sets out ground rules for builders and planning chiefs on development in the borough.
But Thames Water has asked the council to reclassify the land so it can build luxury flats on the “footprint” of the reservoir – and keep the rest of the site as a piece of natural ground.
Both sides gave evidence at an enquiry into the council’s UDP at the Town Hall in January this year with a final decision expected later this year.
A spokesman for Thames Water said: “We recognise the Gondar Gardens site has potential as a brownfield site for housing, including affordable accommodation, at a time when there is pressure for new homes in London.
“We are aware of residents’ concerns and proposals for the site could potentially include an open area to preserve local wildlife.”