Jan Fuscoe: Why people should get behind volunteer-led plans for a water park in East London

ELWP supporters making their way to a council meeting earlier this month. Photograph: Jonathan Perugia / Gaia Visual

Dreams of a freely accessible water park in East London are in danger of never being realised.

An ambitious proposal for a disused Thames Water depot on Lea Bridge Road includes wild swimming ponds, conservation volunteering, a forest school, and a community hub.

It is the brainchild of passionate volunteers at the East London Waterworks Park (ELWP) charity, which has so far raised more than £500,000 in an effort to purchase the land and bring the vision to life.

But it is now at risk of being sidelined by a government-backed plan by London’s boroughs to turn the old depot into a secure children’s home.

There are so many reasons why the water park should get the go-ahead, but here are the main ones:

The natural environment

Lockdown taught us that access to green space is vital, for mental health and well-being, as well as to support nature in its fightback against ever-increasing urbanisation. The position of the depot is perfect to provide the ‘missing piece of the jigsaw’ in the green corridor that runs from East London to Ware, in Hertfordshire, something that London desperately needs. 

Health

Car pollution, obesity, and ultra-processed foods, are all contributing to the failing health of Londoners. The opportunity to provide free access to a green space where it’s possible to swim, walk or run in nature, and learn about its vital importance, through the forest schools, shouldn’t be missed.

The dangers of flooding

As London heads into another heatwave after weeks of unseasonably wet weather, there’s little argument that our climate is changing, and leading to more extreme weather patterns.

ELWP plans to engineer significant resilience against flooding by storing at least 26,000m³ of rainwater in the currently buried filter beds on the site.

More than 80 people came out in support of the water park. Photograph: Jonathan Perugia / Gaia Visual

It is frustrating that such a resource – a water park that would also support a green corridor for wildlife – is being stymied.

London boroughs have been looking at the site to build a secure children’s unit. While this is undoubtedly much needed, EWLP is asking for a rethink. The government-owned space is in a unique position, and a water park makes sense for all the above reasons, though there are many more. 

In May, the charity’s original petition to ‘save’ the land from the government’s plans gathered 10,000 signatures. 

A second petition, specifically for Waltham Forest, gained 3,000 signatures, and it was expected that the matter would be discussed by the council on 18 July.

Around 80 ELWP supporters walked, silently, to Waltham Forest Town Hall to register their support for the water park. 

As we waited that day to be let into the council chamber, we watched local families gather around the Town Hall’s water feature, with children splashing and playing, as the temperature hit 26 degrees Celsius.

We couldn’t help but wonder how much more fun they would have in a natural park, with ponds surrounded by trees and plants, instead of the intermittent bursts of water erupting from a concrete space.

At the last minute, the council refused to hold a debate, despite acknowledging that the petition had enough valid signatures to trigger it. 

After the setback, Abigail Woodman, chair of ELWP, spoke of her delight that so many people had turned up to demonstrate their support for the water park.

“We are still disappointed the council refused to debate the petition, and that under half of our supporters were able to gain access to the council chamber, but pleased we were able to make our case to councillors nevertheless,” she said.

“And, we are, of course, determined to keep on fighting for our dream.”

The struggle continues for this much-needed resource for London, for nature and wildlife, and to help to minimise the city’s risk from flooding, which looks to be increasing year on year. 

To support the campaign, sign up here, or check out ELWP socials on Instagram and Twitter.