This site includes a large reservoir, important for water birds, and three adjacent adjoining plots of land including Folly Lane Community Woodland nature reserve and Cheney Row Park. In 2019, Cheney Row playing field was regenerated to form Cheney Row Park. This included the addition of a nature-themed play area for children, an area for teenagers with table tennis, an outdoor events amphitheatre, a BMX track. There is public access to the park and community woodland, but no access to the reservoir.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Banbury Reservoir
Borough: Waltham Forest
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 55.22 ha
Description
Wildlife
The reservoir is artificially banked with little vegetation apparent. However, at the edges, it does include some good areas of scrub composed of hawthorn, elder and grey willow, and an expanse of neutral grassland dominated by false oat-grass and creeping bent. Many common waterbirds frequent the reservoir including various gulls, grey heron, tufted duck and great crested grebe. There is an area of wasteland, partly enclosed by planted trees, to the north and the Community Woodland to the north-east. The latter is particularly rich in wasteland wildflowers. Here butterflies, grasshoppers and crickets abound. To the south-east is Cheney Row Park, formerly playing fields. Although some amenity grassland is present it has considerable areas of scrub, tall herbs and neutral grassland and an abundance of butterflies. In 2019, new wildflower meadows were planted along with 467 trees. A swift tower' has also been installed in the park.Facilities
No information available
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