Plans for one of the most ambitious parks projects in London have taken a significant step forward, with Haringey Council securing nearly two additional acres of land around The Paddock nature reserve in Tottenham Hale.

The agreement with Thames Water marks a major milestone in the transformation of the nature reserve into a vibrant public open space for the local community.

This newly acquired land will allow the final phase of the project to move ahead, enabling the creation of pathways through previously inaccessible private areas. These new routes will connect to the recently completed Paddock footbridge, linking the reserve to Hale Wharf and improving access for residents and visitors.

Cllr Ruth Gordon, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy, said: "This announcement is just the latest step in making our vision of a fairer, greener Tottenham Hale a reality.

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"The flagship green spaces project at The Paddock is creating the borough’s first new nature reserve in more than a decade and honours our commitment to reinvest land receipts into securing long term and direct benefits for local residents.

"It has been shaped with the community for the community with the extensive improvements rooted in what they have told us they would like to see now and in the future."

Alongside the open space project, the council is delivering a series of significant placemaking benefits for the area including up to 600 new council homes and the Welbourne Health Centre, which opened its doors in the summer.

The Paddock project masterplan, which has been developed through extensive engagement with the community and stakeholders, is comprehensively enhancing the nature reserve with upgraded entrances, accessible paths, tree planting and landscaping, a bird hide, signage and interpretation, benches, litter bins, and new temporary accommodation to provide enhanced educational facilities.

Meanwhile, The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) will take on an innovative self-financing 25-year lease of The Paddock that will see the environmental charity raise external sponsorship to steward the open space, build a volunteer network and deliver a comprehensive schools and engagement programme.

The final phase of The Paddock works will get under way shortly and is expected to be completed in late 2025.

Part of the funding for the project comes from Section 106 planning obligations from the Hale Wharf development secured by the council’s planning department.