Lake Grounds Council opts out of green flag
PORTISHEAD Lake Grounds – described as the jewel in North Somerset’s crown – will not be applying to retain its coveted green flag status.
Owned by North Somerset Council, it was last awarded a green flag last summer.
The international award, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
The Lake Grounds, which stretches over 15 hectares and is mainly grassland, is one of seven green spaces in North Somerset to currently have the flag. Each award lasts for a period of 12 months.
However, the council has said, to allow improvements to be carried out, it will not be entering the beauty spot for an award this sum
mer. The decision follows feedback from the judges about improvements that could be made.
A management plan for the lake – to run from 2016 to 2021 – was previously drawn up by the council. But it is likely a new blueprint will now be produced.
Council spokeswoman Zoe Briffitt said: “The boathouse and cafe need considerable investment and we are looking at options for this at the moment.
“Once the open space has been upgraded we will consider entering it again for the award in the future.”
Calls have been mounting over the years for the lake to be drained and refilled after concerns about the levels of silt.
It is fed by a series of natural springs and is fitted with a sluice gate, which is used when the lake overtops to drain off excess water into the estuary.
In recent summers the lake has suffered with blue green algae. Bales of barley straw have been put into the water to try to alleviate the issue.
Residents have also complained about the path around the side of the lake and that some play equipment in the park area remains broken.
The decision on the flag came at the same time as the authority granted landlord’s permission to Portishead Wheels and Skatepark Project to build a new skatepark on land behind the boathouse.
Authority leaders have agreed a 25-year lease for the land, subject to funding and planning permission being secured.
The site includes part of an area of hardstanding by the boathouse and a small section of the existing park.
Planning permission was granted on appeal for a skate park at the Lake Grounds in 2011. However, the project never moved forward because the council refused to grant landlord’s consent.
Work on a pre-planning application will now begin, with a consultation of local residents. A full planning application will then be submitted. It is hoped that if planning permission is granted and funding secured, work will start later this year and the facility will open by mid-2021.
The council is also considering the introduction of parking charges at the Lake Grounds in the future.
Other areas to hold green flag awards include Weston-super Mare’s Prince Consort Gardens, Jubilee Park and Uphill Hill; Nailsea’s Trendle wood Park; Watchhouse Hill, Pill; and Abbot’s Pool, in Abbots Leigh.