A river restoration project within an existing park. The scheme has created new river channels, backwaters, pools, riffles, and greatly improved habitats within the river corridor along with better access and educational benefits.

1. Restoring London’s Rivers
Mehron Kirk
Landscape Architect

2. What we are faced with:
A negative image - a dated engineered solution - a lost opportunity

3. What can be done about it:
Cornmill Gardens, lewisham

4. Our projects in Lewisham
Cornmill Gardens, Ladywell Fields Northern field, LF Middle Southern
Field
£1.8M £400k £1.4M

5. Ladywell Fields, scheme objectives:
-increase use and enjoyment of the river
corridor and open space
-reduce crime and fear of crime
-improve habitats for wildlife.
-21 Ha public park
Ladywell
Fields
Northern field was a QUERCUS project, financed by the EU Life Environment Fund.
'Quality Urban Environments for River Corridor Users and Stakeholders'.
Middle and Southern Field was funded through the LDA and forms part of the East
London Green Grid

6. Understanding, working with and
restoring the river

15. The team and partners
LBL departments
EA – numerous departments
Maintenance teams
EU Life
Quercus
LDA
Landscape Architects
Project managers
Consultation facilitators
Hydrology Engineers Design Engineering
Civil engineers
Cost consultants
CDM co-ordinator
Contractors

16. The added benefits
•Whole park regeneration
•Reduced flood risk
•Value for money
•New connections along the river
•An identity
‘An impressively expansive green space
given its urban surroundings, Ladywell
Fields in Lewisham has become one of
London’s hidden rural gems.’
London Government News 2012

17. The challenges
Approvals!
Consultation reluctance to change
Removing vegetation
What it looks like on day one

18. The essentials
A collective vision

19. The essentials
Design and engineering working together

20. The essentials
Not just a pretty picture – it has to work, be realistic

21. The essentials
Joined up decision making

22. The essentials
Commitment to maintenance

23. The essentials
Monitoring and evaluation
88% of people asked think
the project has improved the
landscape
276% increase in park
usage!
Volunteer groups in action

24. What you can achieve
‘‘I don't often find enough reason to write to say thank you for things -but I
live in Ladywell, and since the recent transformation of Ladywell Fields, I've
spent a lot of time down there with my daughter (aged 14 months). I think
your team have done an absolutely amazing job. The new design feels
extremely well thought through, and really uses the most of the park's
natural features.
We've already spent quite a few hours paddling in the river at the part of the
park at the end of Malyons Road, and in the new part of the river which
meanders through the fields. Honestly, you would never know you were in
Lewisham!
So frequently, councils and large organisations over complicate designs,
and don't make the most of nature - but you have done totally the opposite
and the results are superb.
Well done, I just wanted to let you know, your work is really appreciated.’’
Local resident, 24th May 2011

25. What you can achieve
Learning

26. What you can achieve
Publications and exposure (The voices of LIFE)

27. What you can achieve
Publications and exposure

28. What you can achieve
Awards!

29. Success brings funding
The success of the QUERCUS project was instrumental in securing the additional
funding from the London Development Agency to transform the middle and
southern fields.... And hopefully further funding in the pipeline

30. In conclusion
No shortage of potential
projects
They can make a difference
The river as a catalyst for
public space
Value for money – high impact
Lots of benefits, many still
being realised

31. Mehron.kirk@bdp.com