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Protecting a rural asset
• ROBIN Smith’s assertion (Heath is not a park or corporate playground, February 26), that “The erosion of Hampstead Heath… must be challenged at every turn”, goes to the very heart of the matter.
The No Road campaign has attracted 8,000 signatures in opposition to the planned road, a measure of the strength of feeling among those who love the Heath and feel hugely protective of this extraordinary rural asset.
The Corporation of London needs to think again and take notice of the passionate local feeling against this plan, which indicates a most emphatic rebuttal of its concept.
It is also time to remind the corporation that although they are responsible for managing the Heath, they do so for its true inheritors, the people of London who love it and use it most. Its failure to properly consult with those living adjacent to the proposed road, as well as with other Heath users, has led to a sense of alienation and outrage in those excluded.
CHRISTINE FOX
Co-Founder
Heath for Feet, NW3
Heath wildlife on the up
IT is essential that there be a good, well-provisioned information centre on the Heath such as the excellent one in Highgate Wood, and there is nowhere at present to put it.
Clearly there is a real lack of knowledge and understanding of the complexities involved. It is a nonsense to imply the conservation officers who plan and work on the management of the Heath ecology would agree to any destruction of habitat or destroy the rural feel. All work is carefully planned and wildlife has increased in the past 10 years.
As for the café, I doubt the kitchen is now adequate for the huge job it has to provide for the numbers. It’s a worry that a new café would become a franchise, but this did not happen at Golders Hill Park when it was rebuilt.
It makes sense to have all the buildings together in one place and for the management offices to actually be on the Heath.
The Heath is managed brilliantly for the ecology and what is actually really necessary to improve things for everyone.
LIZ JELLINEK
Upper Park Road, NW3
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