Residents of East London could soon have a free, sandy beach and wild swimming spot on their doorstep, as a transformative community project awaits a crucial decision from local authorities.
A Vision for a Community-Owned Oasis
For more than five years, the charity East London Water Works has been campaigning to convert a disused 14-acre Thames Water depot on Lea Bridge Road in Waltham Forest. Their ambitious vision is to create a ‘community-owned, biodiverse park’ featuring naturally filtered swimming ponds and extensive community spaces.
The centrepiece of the proposal is the creation of 3,000 square metres of swimmable water, filtered through reed beds, accompanied by a sandy beach with space for nearly 100 people. With a potential capacity for 1,200 swimmers daily, the park aims to provide a free, nature-led escape from the city heat, contrasting with the paid-entry model of London's many refurbished lidos.
Funding Through Green Energy and Inclusive Design
Nathan Miller, a director of East London Water Works, explained the personal motivation behind the plan: ‘My first thought was that I’d love something like this to exist for my kids growing up and to have that locally for them.’ He emphasised the lack of free, accessible swimming spaces and the project's goal of returning agency to the community.
Intriguingly, the charity proposes to fund the park's ongoing maintenance by generating surplus renewable energy on-site and selling it back to the national grid. The design includes two main pools: a family-friendly area and a more immersive wild swimming pond set further back. 5,300 square metres of reed beds would naturally purify rainwater to fill them.
The broader park plan is rich with amenities, including meadows, a forest school, pond-dipping areas, a cafe, an art studio, and a science lab. Abigail Woodman, director and chair of East London Waterworks Park, stated the project would ‘unlock a chain of positive changes’ for the Lower Lea Valley, reinforcing its status as Metropolitan Open Land.
Safety and Inclusion at the Heart of Planning
A cornerstone of the charity's development process has been its ‘Listening Project’, which engaged over 100 participants from historically underrepresented groups over four years. This included the African and Afro-Caribbean community, disabled people, the LGBTQI+ and Muslim communities, and people who have experienced homelessness or financial exclusion.
Key themes emerged, with a paramount focus on creating a safe and inclusive environment. Discussions around safety for marginalised groups led to considerations about lighting and visibility for night-time use. Notably, some participants expressed that a police presence could feel intrusive, prompting ideas for a dedicated park warden instead.
The project has garnered political support, including from Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who praised it as a ‘groundbreaking, community-led initiative’. All that now stands in the way is the final approval from Hackney Council, a decision eagerly awaited by proponents who envision a lasting natural legacy for East London.
