Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust have been left concerned and frustrated over Hillingdon Council’s handling of the local authority’s planning application to build a new Watersports Facility and Activity Centre on Broadwater Lake in Harefield, a nationally important wildlife haven which is legally protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  

The Council wants to relocate Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre (HOAC) to Broadwater Lake and submitted a planning application in November 2023 which proposed a new major development. This featured buildings and infrastructure on the previously undisturbed wooded peninsular of the site, which would require construction work to develop new buildings, car parks and coach turning points and include the removal of islands, a huge amount of dredging, the destruction of an established bat roost and loss of habitats for migratory birds.  Once operational, the regular barrage of noise and movement from activities on the lake and the surrounding land would cause disturbance to wildlife all year round, destroying a place of refuge and putting stress on species whose populations are already under threat. 

The Council’s proposal would be catastrophic for wildlife and comes at a time when one in six species are threatened with extinction in the UK.

Hillingdon Council received over 1,440 objections to their planning application, with the Trust, Natural England, the Environment Agency, RSPB, London Wildlife Trust, the Colne Valley Regional Park, individuals and organisations voicing professional ecological concerns over poor decision-making, as well as more emotive pleas to save this nationally important wetland wildlife site. The Trust were originally told that the planning application would likely be reviewed by the Council’s Planning Committee in March 2024 – this did not happen and one year on the wildlife charity are still waiting for the Council to be transparent with their plans and timescales.

Back in 2015, Broadwater Lake was ruled out as a potential site for the relocation of HOAC by a Parliamentary Select Committee due to its designated SSSI status. At this time, Hillingdon Council, together with HS2 and HOAC all recognised it was not an appropriate location due to its high importance for wildlife.

Chloë Edwards, Director of Nature Recovery at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust says,

“For over a decade it has been very clear that Broadwater Lake is an unsuitable site for the type of development proposed by Hillingdon Council. We now understand they have recently committed a further £400k to try and make the scheme fit here rather than seriously consider more appropriate alternative sites. Meanwhile uncertainty prevails for the Trust, its supporters, the local community, HOAC and the wildlife dependent on this crucial refuge.

“The Trust sympathises with HOAC and its members, who lost their base four years ago due to works associated with HS2, and believe the Council has a duty to do more to explore options to find the club a new location, without threatening a nationally important wildlife site.

“It’s frightening that despite the depth of the scientific evidence supporting objections to the development and Broadwater Lake’s legally protected SSSI status, the Council could still press ahead with it. Potentially, this could set a very dangerous precedent indeed – one that could undermine the future protection for the five other SSSI sites within the London Borough of Hillingdon, and create a ripple effect for the futures of over 4,000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest across the country.”

Tim Hill, Conservation Manager at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust says,

“Broadwater Lake is one of the largest waterbodies in the London area and accordingly it provides a wonderful opportunity for people to watch and enjoy wildlife here.

“The variety of habitats is what makes this place really special. For instance, on the islands Cormorants, Grey Herons and Little Egrets breed, whilst the open water attracts nationally important numbers of Pochard and Shovelers.

“Broadwater Lake just isn’t the right place for this development.”

Broadwater Lake is part of the Mid Colne Valley SSSI and is recognised by Natural England for its national importance to water birds. For decades, its undisturbed open waters have enabled wildlife to flourish, in particular nationally significant populations of wetland birds including endangered Pochard and Shoveler. Studies have shown that its function as an undisturbed refuge enables birds to exploit waters and habitats across and beyond the Colne Valley, and they are then able to fly back to Broadwater Lake when they are disturbed elsewhere.  The lake and surrounding habitats provide a peaceful home, guaranteed refuge, and a rich breeding and feeding ground for animals, including water birds, warblers, bats and many different types of insect.

According to yachtsandyachting.com, HOAC are currently collaborating with Rickmansworth Sailing Club (RSC) at Troy Lake to run courses – a partnership which has enabled HOAC to stay afloat and to provide funds towards RSC’s new clubhouse.

The Trust asks that those who want to be kept up-to-date on the threat to Broadwater Lake sign up to the charity’s e-news at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/#enews