Walked through Feltham Park (Nursery Close side) and looking good.
Did, however, notice the following:
Will report the bags and tagging on bins on Monday.
Of more concern, is an ongoing issue of litter in the bushes at the side of the path after you turn left at the higher end of Helen Avenue:
and
Will be discussing with Officers at the Council what can be done. Will report back!
Tags: Feltham Park, Glebelands
Bowen's blog 
March 20, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Glad to see you have noticed the problem, in fact the whole of the Glebelands/Blenheim Park area is in a terrible state for litter in the bushes. As far as I can tell the area has not been properly litter picked since before November 2008 judging by the firework debris which was scattered all around up ‘till it was shredded when the grass was cut this week. The previously wooded area that runs behind Shaftesbury Avenue is also covered in litter.
The new park contractor’s grass cutting regime is having a detrimental effect on the local wildlife now spring is here. They cut the grass right to the edge of the fields now, destroying what was previously a valuable habitat for a wide selection of wildlife around the margins. This week, on Blenheim park they also cut the grass right up to the edge of the Longford river, even though the land either side of the river actually belongs to the Royal Parks and is their responsibility, effectively cutting back a myriad of wild plants that are essential for the life cycles of numerous beneficial insects such as butterflies, bees etc.
I am also concerned that, as the spring arrives that the construction work that is ongoing at the Feltham arenas site may impact upon nesting birds in the area. It is illegal to disturb nesting birds under the Wildlife Act 1981, see: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3614 Wouldn’t it be a good idea if the company responsible for the redevelopment of the arenas could work with the Trees for Cities organisation and have the perimeter planted with native trees and shrubs, replacing the trees that were removed and providing a sound buffer. The proposed line of conifers will be of no advantage to wildlife and, as they grow to maturity, will result in loss of natural light in the gardens of the houses that back on to the site.
As the plans for the development of the whole Glebelands area are not available I find myself wondering if the hedge that runs alongside the Longford River is to be protected. The hedge is over 200 years old and, as such, is one of the oldest man made structures in the area. It provides shelter and nesting places for many species of wild birds including Whitethroats, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Redpolls, Chaffinches, Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Dunnocks, Goldcrests, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Wrens etc. as well as supporting a large number of insect species, including lesser and greater Stag Beetles. Hedges like this should not be cut between the months of March and August due to the impact this has on nesting birds and their fledglings.
I believe the whole Longford River corridor that runs for about a mile through the Glebelands/Blenheim Park area is an overlooked asset to Feltham and a valuable green space in the heart of the urban area. Wouldn’t it be nice if Hounslow Council and the Royal Parks could work together to make the area a nature reserve. Too many of our green spaces are under threat of development when we should really be doing our best to preserve them. For all the green initiatives implemented by the council it seems that our local wildlife are suffering due to over zealous maintenance of our green spaces.
I do hope that all of these issues can be followed up and some protection can be afforded for those residents of the area that cannot speak for themselves, the wild creatures that live alongside us.
April 15, 2009 at 12:33 am
I really expected a response from you to this comment, you obviously do not care about Feltham North as much as you claim. No wonder we don’t see you around the Poorlands estate anymore, what a disappointment.
April 15, 2009 at 9:38 am
I do apologise for not responding on the blog – my honest explanation is that I was on holiday when you made this posting and have overlooked to comment on this matter since returning. I have been copied in on the email exchanges between you and Officers from Laing and believe that the exchange has been constructive. You were given an assurance that in future operatives would be leaving a conservation verge. I got the impression that you did not have a problem with the assurance but were concerned whether this was being adhered to.
As for my view, I hope that this can be followed in future but would agree with what you were you were told by Laing in that my casework reflects that far more people complain about grass not being cut and other things being maintained than ecology issues but this is not to say that the latter are less important. I have learnt a great deal from you in the conversations we have had over the years in this subject area.
As for not being seen any longer, I continue to put in 100% for Feltham North. You continue to receive Half Yearly Reports, as was promised by me in 2002 and by my two colleagues and I in 2006. We also hold three surgeries a month. I can assure you that claims made by you in your posting hurt me as much now, as it would have when first elected.
April 17, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Mark,
Please bear in mind my comments are borne of the frustration at not getting a response to my original comment. I realised at the time that you were on holiday, which is why I took the precaution of copying the comment and e-mailing it to you as well in the hope that it would not be overlooked. I would still like to hear your response to the important points raised above, that have nothing to do with the grass cutting at Blenheim park and other open spaces in the borough by Laings, which is a separate matter entirely. You can understand my concern for the rest of the area surrounding the Feltham Arena after the destruction of the wooded area that ran between the back of Shaftesbury avenue and the Arena, despite promises that it would not be touched.
Judging by the comments made to me by various neighbours and users of the Glebelands, knowledge of what exactly is going on at the old stadium site is very scant indeed. I have spoken to many concerned residents who are under the impression that the entire area is to be developed. Some have even assumed that the area is being turned over to residential use.
I do hope that we can get an assurance that no further destruction of the wildlife habitats in the Glebelands will be allowed to occur and that whoever is responsible for the clearance of litter in that area will carry out their duties. I have been informed that Laings claim they have no jurisdiction over the Glebelands which is why it has not been litter picked, does the area no longer belong to LBH? Some idea of what the future plans are for the Glebelands would also help to assuage local fears that we will be losing this valuable green “oasis” in this otherwise built up area.
Best regards,
Graham Newell
PS I cannot recall the last time I received a bi-yearly report, certainly it has been well over 6 months.
April 19, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Graham,
The last Half Yearly report was delivered in December 08. I am concerned if you did not get it. I did not deliver to Burns Avenue personally but a very good and reliable friend did. The next report will be delivered in the next couple of months.
With regards to the Glebelands, I too am concerned about some of the comments I am hearing. The idea of housing on that site would more than horrify me. Whilst I am frustrated that things have not moved faster, in the last 3 years, we have seen the removal of the stand and the former clubhouse, both of which became real problems for local residents. As per the signage at the end of Shakespeare Avenue, the plan is for the site to be used for sport – an established and constructive use.
Finally, I expect more of the Glebelands will be added to the schedule for Laing/Continental next month.
All the best
Mark.
April 19, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Thanks for the reply, Mark.
I am very aware of the plans for the Arenas and have seen the aeriel view of the site on the sporting creations website. I would still be very interested to hear you address my original comments and observations regarding the site.
Reagrds,
Graham Newell
April 19, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Graham,
I think I have responded to your general concerns by my reference to the exchange between you and Continental but I am about to make an enquiry about what I think I have missed e.g. hedge by Longford River.
Am I missing anything else?
All the best
Mark.
April 19, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Hi Mark,
These following points from my original post are the ones I would like to hear your comments on:
1. I am also concerned that, as the spring arrives that the construction work that is ongoing at the Feltham arenas site may impact upon nesting birds in the area. It is illegal to disturb nesting birds under the Wildlife Act 1981, see: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3614 Wouldn’t it be a good idea if the company responsible for the redevelopment of the arenas could work with the Trees for Cities organisation and have the perimeter planted with native trees and shrubs, replacing the trees that were removed and providing a sound buffer. The proposed line of conifers will be of no advantage to wildlife and, as they grow to maturity, will result in loss of natural light in the gardens of the houses that back on to the site.
2. I believe the whole Longford River corridor that runs for about a mile through the Glebelands/Blenheim Park area is an overlooked asset to Feltham and a valuable green space in the heart of the urban area. Wouldn’t it be nice if Hounslow Council and the Royal Parks could work together to make the area a nature reserve.
I’d also be interested to find out who actually owns the Feltham Arenas site now, has it been sold on or is it still council property?
Thanks for taking the time to look into these concerns,
Graham