Battersea’s Victorian waterfalls to run for first time in 50 years, powered by clean energy
Plans are underway to get Battersea’s Victorian waterfalls running for the first time in more than 50 years, powered by clean energy.
Wandsworth council has received support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to fully restore Battersea park’s Pulhamite Rockery and Cascades by repairing damage, reinstating power supplies, and reinvigorating heritage planting.
Development funding of £654,757 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help Wandsworth council apply for a grant of £2,714,457 to complete the restoration.
The Pulhamite Rockery and Cascades are a rare collection of artificial rocks built in 1865, designed by prominent garden landscaper James Pulham II.
It was his first composition in a public London park, mimicking his previous works using his own specially designed cement, Pulhamite, in royal and private gardens.
The water feature that cascaded into the park’s 10-acre boating lake was switched off between the World Wars after extensive erosion and trespass saw the feature fall into disrepair. Attempts at repair the feature in the 1980s created further damage.
The Heritage Fund’s grant will provide resources for preventing further degradation by completing the investigations, trials and designs needed to restore and future-proof the waterfalls for generations to come.
The Heritage Fund project will pull together a range of experts to repair damaged rockwork, install modern water and power systems, and create lakeside habitats that combat the climate and ecological crises.
As well as working with the Friends of Battersea Park group, the council plans to work with voluntary community organisations to engage with harder to reach groups and young people from areas of deprivation.
Sustainability and protecting the natural environment will be embedded throughout the project, to explore renewable sources of energy to power the cascades long term.
Councillor Judi Gasser, Wandsworth council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We are delighted to have received this initial investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“Thanks to money raised we can now develop our plans alongside the community to get the historic cascades in Battersea Park running for the first time in over 50 years.
“We are excited to explore new ways of powering key features in the park, engaging local people and safeguarding this unique waterfall for generations to come.”
If you would like to register your interest in volunteering opportunities around this project, email batterseaheritage@enablelc.org
Pictured top: The Pulhamite Rockery and Cascades in Battersea Park have not been fully functional in almost 100 years (Picture: Wandsworth council)