AMBITIOUS multi-million pound plans to redevelop reservoirs for public use have been scaled back, it has emerged.

Waltham Forest Council announced the £10million project last year to transform the series of waterways between Tottenham and the Blackhorse Road area of Walthamstow.

They included proposals for a visitors centre, a play area, café, new access walkways, educational nature programmes, an annual river festival and "improvements" to the landscape.

The authority has now announced the 'Walthamstow Wetlands' scheme has secured initial funding of £364,000 but also admitted its budget has been slashed to £6.5million.

A spokeswoman said other parties involved had raised concerns about the details of the initial propals.

She said: "The £10million was quoted from an earlier document which included costs for improvements to highways and a more ambitious exhibition and outdoor play area.

"Through discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and partners, the scheme has been modified to deliver a more modest exhibition, which is more in keeping with the quality of the site as a nature reserve.

"Also, HLF do not fund highways improvements and an additional initiative will be developed to access funding to deliver environmental improvements to Ferry Lane and Forest Road to create the gateway access into the site."

The initial funding, which includes £288,000 from the HLF, along with grants from other bodies, will now be spent by the council on consultants to begin drawing up designs and carry out surveys of the land.

Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins said he was delighted at the initial funding success.

He said: "We’ve cleared a significant hurdle in getting through the first round of the bid.

“It’s a real shot in the arm for the project, and all being well we will have access to a further £3.4m funding from the Heritage Lottery after the second round bid.”

Sue Bowers, head of the HLF's London division, said the body was excited about the proposals.

She added: "Opening the site up to more people and encouraging them to learn about and enjoy this green oasis in the heart of North East London is a great use of Heritage Lottery Fund money.

"We are looking forward to seeing these plans progress over the coming months.”

The HLF will allow 18 months for this work to be completed before the council can begin bidding for a second round of funding.

Thames Water, which owns the reservoir complex, has already pledged £1.5 million towards the project.

If approved, the works are estimated to take around two years.

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