PEOPLE are being urged to stand up for nature and object to plans by Hillingdon Council for a new Watersports and Activity Centre at Broadwater Lake, Harefield.
It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and, if approved, would be catastrophic for wildlife and set a dangerous precedent for legally protected sites, says Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Broadwater Lake is recognised by Natural England for its national importance to waterbirds. For decades, its undisturbed open waters have enabled wildlife to flourish, in particular wetland birds like the endangered pochard and shoveler.
The council wants to relocate Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre (HOAC) to Broadwater Lake, with buildings and infrastructure on the previously undisturbed wooded peninsular.
The trust says it is sympathetic to HOAC and the position it has been put in by the intrusion of the HS2 rail line, but are concerned about the impact on wildlife.
Work to develop new buildings, car parks and coach turning points would include the removal of islands, a huge amount of dredging, destruction of an established bat roost and loss of habitats for migratory birds, it adds.
The trust says that, once it is open, activities on the lake and the surrounding land will destroy a place of refuge for the wildlife.
Broadwater Lake was ruled out as a potential site for the relocation of HOAC in 2015 by a Parliamentary committee.
Lesley Davies, CEO at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said: “Broadwater Lake should never have been re-considered. Wildlife has suffered huge declines in the UK and nature needs help to recover.
“We’re appealing to everyone who cares about wildlife and its protection to make your voice heard and object to this planning application.”
Marjorie Fox, a volunteer warden at Broadwater Lake, added: “This SSSI is a national treasure and the threat to it hurts me deeply, but it will hurt the birds and the wildlife more. It is their habitat and they don’t have a voice.”
You can comment on the application here: https://planning.hillingdon.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=2382/APP/2023/2906&from=planningSearch
Hillingdon Council was approached for a response.
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