Latest developments

Following the consultation so far, at a public meeting on 20 July the council set out what it had heard from this consultation and the possible changes to address these, in the first part of the £4.5m project. These are set out below.

Elements to the project that we propose should remain

• Converting redundant roads to park, such as Canal St, Calmington Rd and part of Neate St
• Improving entrances and boundaries, at the Old Kent Road, Camberwell Road and Trafalgar Avenue
• Improving accessibility and footpaths, including a new main footpath from the Old Kent Road through to Chumleigh Gardens
• Repairing and reshaping the lake
• Planting new gardens at St. George's Way
• Enhancing biodiversity through an overall increase of 200 new trees and creating more, and improved, areas for wildlife
• Introducing a play area for older children to the east of Chumleigh Gardens
• Installing new signage, seating and litter bins, and new railings
• Expanding the New Church Road 'wildlife' area
• Creating a new 5km fitness circuit for runners, cyclists and walkers
• Recycling existing site materials within the park

It was also reiterated that there is no proposed amphitheatre at all in the plans for the park.

In addition to these elements, we also hope to get more funding for more improvements, which will be carried out alongside the revitalization project work, including:

• Food growing areas near the Surrey Canal Walk
• Outdoor gyms and local play areas
• National standard BMX track

Proposed amendments to the plan

We are also intending to change some of our plans, because people have told us they were concerned. The full list of proposed amendments is below:

• Readjusting the landscaping, in order to preserve wildlife
• Leaving the canal filled in
• Leaving the underpass as it is
• Keeping the sports hub near Neate St in its current state
• Preserving the space behind Chumleigh Gardens
• Preserving the trees along Wells Way
• Preserving the cherry trees along Canal Walk
• Leaving in place the shrubs planted by international students
• Moving the allotments/food growing areas near Addington Square and Peplar Rd to the end of Surrey Canal Walk
• Keeping the tree clumps along St. George's Way
• Preserving the plane trees along Cobourg Rd
• Keeping the hillocky landscape between the lake and Old Kent Road as it is
• Preserving the northern clump of trees on Calmington Rd

You can view the full presentation made at the public meeting here.