Vital improvements to Aquadrome receive cash boost

Three Rivers District Council has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Water, Wildlife and Wellbeing at Rickmansworth Aquadrome project, it was announced today. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to enhance, nurture and protect the site.

Development funding of £736,515 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help Three Rivers progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £4m at a later date. The success of the funding bid was also made possible through using funds awarded by HS2 Colne Valley Additional Mitigation Panel as match funding.

The Aquadrome project aims to safeguard and enhance the nature reserve. It hopes to achieve a balance so that nature can flourish, and visitors can connect with and discover the beautiful and unique habitats of the site.

Rickmansworth Aquadrome is a large nature reserve, built on a flood plain and uniquely placed within walking distance of the town. It is a much loved and cherished open space, but this usage also means that the site needs to be more resilient to protect it for future generations. Without the funding from the Heritage Fund, the Aquadrome would be at significant risk of deterioration and in danger of losing its value as both a nature reserve and peaceful haven.

In the long-term, the council’s priorities will be to enhance the biodiversity of the site, enrich the quality of the nature reserve and improve people’s wellbeing. The council will look to understand and manage the risks of flooding and improve the accessibility around the Aquadrome so everyone can benefit from the green space. The project will improve the interpretation boards to share its rich heritage with visitors, along with understanding the importance of the environmental heritage of the Aquadrome and the value of living side by side with the nature reserve.  In addition, new signage, site furniture and improved pathways will make the Aquadrome an easier place to roam and enjoy for all our community.

During Development Phase, the project will focus on developing a site wide Masterplan, detailed designs relating to landscaping, hydrology, tree and vegetation management and visitor experience and connectivity. This period will aim to achieve all relevant permissions including planning permission where applicable, FRAP (Flood Risk Activity Permit to the Environment Agency) applications and baseline surveying. Alongside this there will be an extensive period of community and stakeholder engagement and consultation, which will be led by a new Heritage Lottery funded officer focused on community engagement.

At the end of the Development phase, the council will have clear specifications, costings and planned programmes, which will inform the Delivery Phase funding application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Council Leader, said: “We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we can now develop our plans for vital work at the Aquadrome and ensure that it is a haven for both wildlife and our community.’

“Clearly, the Aquadrome is a very special place to our residents and visitors from afar. I congratulate our officers for working tirelessly to secure this huge grant to begin this next stage of the project. A lot of work will be happening in the background to ensure that when we do reach the delivery phase of the project, the resources are being used for the right reasons to make sure we are achieving that balance.”

Notes to Editor

Over the coming years, Three Rivers District Council, alongside its delivery partner, Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service, and with support from external funders, will undertake significant work to restore, improve and safeguard the site for the future.

In line with the 2022 – 2027 Rickmansworth Aquadrome Management Plan, our vision is:

For the Aquadrome to be enhanced, nurtured, and protected.  To achieve a balance so nature can flourish, and visitor’s can connect with and discover beautiful and unique habitats whilst understanding the importance of the environmental heritage of the site’

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

*Grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds.  Water, Wildlife and Wellbeing at Rickmansworth Aquadrome has initially been granted round one development funding of £736,515 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by the Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £4m.

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.

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