East side development update

Beckenham Place Park Improvement Works

Over the course of 2023 and the first half of 2024 Lewisham Council will embark on work to improve the east side of Beckenham Place Park on the Downham side of the railway line. Following public consultation in 2020 and 2021 we have drawn up proposals to enhance the space creating:

·        a welcoming main entrance from Old Bromley Road

·        new playground and multi-use game area

·        improvements to the river corridor

·        new wetland/pond habitat

·        river flood storage area to protect downstream areas from flooding

·        new/improved footpaths and wayfinding

·        new activity trail and off-road cycling trail plus outdoor gym to support health and fitness

·        extensive tree planting to enhance the parkland environment

The initial phase of work will commence shortly, this will include:

·        works to trees in the park necessary for the follow-on works

·        archaeological trial trenching to identify any historic remains that might be affected by our work

·        demolition of the old changing rooms near Old Bromley Road to create a new entrance route, multi-use games area and interlinked play facilities

Tree works

The eastern side of Beckenham Place has many valuable trees that are of great importance and benefit the environment, these trees will be protected throughout the works. However, there are few that are either dead or in poor health which could cause a health and safety risk. Removing or rejuvenating these trees will also help open views to the river and create space for healthy trees that have many years ahead of them.

Our plans include a reduction in heavy shading and some access improvements at a few points along the river Ravensbourne as it runs through the park. This will involve a combination of coppicing, pollarding and occasional removal of mainly poorer quality trees where required as part of good tree management. Some removals are necessary to facilitate the construction of the improved facilities, but these have been carefully planned to avoid high-quality trees in the parkland.

Any higher-quality timber will be reused within the parkland to provide informal seating, informal play or habitat piles (hibernacula) that can support a variety of wildlife including insects and amphibians. We will be working with Thames 21 and volunteers throughout the works to improve the environment of the river corridor, woodlands and new pond habitats on the east side of the park.

Extensive tree planting will be carried out as part of our improvements, this will define and provide shade along key routes at the entrance from Old Bromley Road and in the new playground. Across the wider parkland, a mix of tree species will be used to add form and interest to key routes and vistas. In addition, new hedgerow areas will be introduced to help define spaces and these will provide habitat, food and nesting opportunities for birds as they mature.

Archaeology

There are very few areas in London that have been undisturbed throughout history, and some of our larger parks and green spaces represent rare opportunities to find evidence of past communities. Our work on the east side of the park involves reducing the ground levels to create the new pond and river flood storage and before this happens we must identify any potential remains that could be disturbed. Following on from the tree works this winter we will be digging a series of seven 30-metre-long trial trenches to look for any evidence of earlier use of the site. If any remains are found we will seek advice and adjust our works accordingly, we will also share any information on the park’s website.

Demolition

One of the earlier phases of our work is the demolition of the old changing rooms and showers near the Old Bromley Road entrance to the park. This building will be pulled down and any reusable material will be crushed up for reuse on-site, where it can be used to form the foundation to our new pathways. This reuse of material has a much lower carbon impact than removal of the material off-site and importing alternative foundation materials. There may be a period of time between it being crushed and re-used and we will keep the area fenced off for safety.

Occasional pathway suspensions and diversions will be required during these works, we apologise for any inconvenience these may cause.

If you have any queries in relation to these works please get in touch at: beckenham.park@lewisham.gov.uk