Forum Topic

Barnes Wetlands

The WWT London Wetlands Centre has raised fears birds would be ‘scared off’, driving visitors away, if plans from a neighbouring sports centre for events with music and alcohol are granted. The nature reserve is next to Barn Elms Sports Centre, Barnes, which would be able to hold the activities on part of its 52-acre site under the new plans.Is there nothing sacred and worth protecting in the natural world? - and what callus agency is promoting this disgraceful scheme?

Clifford Cowell ● 976d13 Comments

Victoria, I used to be able to hear Fulham playing from the old stadium, nothing since the new stadium but the stadium is visible so perhaps a benefit (or not if your a cows fan).I did not know about the sound boards. Was there any official representation by our MP or WBC on the issue to H&F?

Ed Robinson ● 959d

Ed, the noise from the Bishops Park music event was heard loudly throughout much of Putney. We don't hear noise on the Upper Richmond Road from Fulham fans when there's a match on, but we certainly heard it from the music event. The noise cancelling boards that they apparently had put up to protect Fulham residents worked for them, but there wasn't anything to protect the noise coming over the river. It would certainly affect wildlife if it was as loud as that.

Victoria Diamond ● 960d

http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=community&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/ldrswetlandscentre002.htm

Philippa Bond ● 960d

I'm sorry but politics has an awful lot to do with it - as those not so tunnel-visioned would be able to see.  We are losing many green spaces to building especially now as buildings are being given permission citing the existence of any established green space as an excuse for not providing any or a reduced amount of amenity space on site and those that we do still have are having to raise money to keep themselves going.  Metropolitan Open Land and Allotments are also being built on so the amount of green space is further decreasing. Public parks are increasingly being used as Wedding Venues, Conference Centres and for outdoor festivals and music concerts - some uses are obviously going to be a lot more problematic than others.How else do we support these places and keep them accessible to more of the population who are in obvious need of these green spaces together with the environment and wildlife that for whom it is so important?  Some like the Wetland Centre already charge entrance fees which already makes it less accessible to all. 

Philippa Bond ● 963d

But diesel ferries back and forth across the Thames are perfectly Ok?Also the area seems to be used as a car park for van etc,The path between is has street lighting I'm not convinced about the light pollution either.What about Kew lighting events and other less impressive seasonal events - do you want to stop them too?

Ed Robinson ● 964d

Well probably a first but I’m with Barbara on this. Clifford made a very important point about the Wetlands. It’s not only a threat to the business side of Wetlands but more importantly the noise and light from the proposed events are a serious threat to the birds for which the site is a sanctuary. Many species are already on the verge of extinction. If we dont care for the natural world, we’ll lose it.

Jane Carter ● 964d

Wetland Centre Philippa, do you have a problem reading posts. Or have a one track mind.

Barbara Stevens ● 964d

Just look at how much  charities are needed and used to prop up an underfunded NHS.Did you also notice whose constituency Hillingdon Hospital - one of the fewer than a handful out of the promised 40 new hospitals desperately needed/needing major attention - serves?

Philippa Bond ● 964d

And why should anyone do voluntary work to make up for the shortfalls under such a government?

David Ainsworth ● 966d

They have to find ways of raising money when under a neo-liberal low tax govt there is littlle or no govt funding any more.

Philippa Bond ● 966d

Will it be louder than Fulham playing?Although the new stadium does appear to have quieten things down.It's a shame they didn't put a cycle/running track around the perimeter when extending the car park.

Ed Robinson ● 967d

Obviously not heard the noise from Bishops Park the other weekend.

Barbara Stevens ● 967d

The licence has been awarded to Enable Leisure & Culture, who happen to be one of Richmond Council's contractors. Conflict of interest?

Lisa Cottam ● 967d