The largest urban wetlands in Europe has won a people’s choice award.

After extensive regeneration and work from Witherford Watson Mann Architects and Kinnear Landscape Architects, Walthamstow Wetlands was opened to the public for the first time in 150 years by Waltham Forest Council in October last year.

Council leader Cllr Clare Coghill said the opening day was very moving.

Now, the project has won an New London Architecture’s People Award.

More than 150 projects in 15 categories were shortlisted for the New London Awards this year and the awards aim to recognise the best new and proposed architecture, planning and development in London.

The wetlands were up against the likes of the Royal Academy of Music Theatre and the Herne Hill Velodrome, but came out on top.

The 211 hectare site houses a Thames Water reservoir that serves 3.5 million people and is a hotspot for biodiversity with birds, fish and other wildlife making it their home.

The council’s Mini Holland scheme was also highly commended in the Transport and Infrastructure awards.