News on Swiss Cottage Open Space

Hello Swiss Cottage Community,

Below is an update on the Swiss Cottage Open Space design project.

Unfortunately, progress on the project has been delayed since we put the project on hold back in May 2021. The project was put on hold while the Council reviewed and considered the different community views on matters such as skating, management and maintenance. These conflicting matters were presented at the Community Services Senior Management Team (SMT) meeting in September 2021. The aim of the meeting was to ensure that the emerging designs responded to local need and could be adequately maintained by the Council.

I am happy to announce that the project is back up and running and our design consultants LUC are once again looking at proposals to enhance this much loved green space. We will now enter an extended conceptual design stage where our design team Land Use Consultants (LUC) will consider the information received from the Round 2 community engagement (which you all fed into earlier this year ) as well as the outcomes of the SMT meeting.

Two extended conceptual design proposals are being worked up with our designers and will be shared with the local community for feedback in January 2022 via commonplace.

Until then, we wish you a joyous festive period and hope to hear from you again in the new year when we invite you to feedback on the two options. Best Wishes,

Updated Project Programme:

May 2021: Project placed on HOLD

November 2021: Project re-starts with Extended Concept Design work

May 2022: Community Engagement Round 3 - Extended Conceptual Design goes out for community feedback

June 2022: Extended Conceptual Design community feedback review

June 2022: Detailed Design work begins

August 2022: Community Engagement Round 4 - Detailed Design presentation

September - January 2023: Technical Design / Contractor Procurement / Planning Update (tbc)

Early 2023: Works Commence on site