The future

PWA’s determination and the evidence-based planning arguments that we have submitted over the years mean that the site now enjoys a high degree of protection. Haringey Council has publicly acknowledged this.
 
Coppetts Wood/Glebelands on the opposite side of the A406 offers a model for how Pinkham Way could be used in future. The site of another former sewage works, Coppetts Wood was handed over to the Coppetts Conservationists to manage in 1983. It was created a Local Nature Reserve in 1997.
 
As we see it, the biggest risk to Pinkham Way is to be left in planning limbo. At present things are at a standstill. Neither owner of the site has any medium or long-term plans for its land. And neither is willing to allow public access and restoration of nature.
 
Neglect has characterised the decades of Barnet Council’s ownership of the site. While benign neglect or ‘rewilding’ can give good results, complete neglect doesn’t necessarily bring long-term benefits.
 
Much of the site is increasingly dominated by invasive comfrey – fast growing, up to 3 meters tall and with very deep roots. It’s great for bees but swamps plant diversity and is very difficult to control.
 
We are preparing a new site management plan that will set out how Pinkham Way could be looked after by voluntary groups once its status has been resolved.