Our ‘Bradbourne Re-bourne’ project is the biggest overhaul of the Lakes since they were built nearly 300 years ago.
In 2024, The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded £237,000 to enable us to progress detailed plans for water improvements, landscape and lake banks repair designs, footpath and play area designs, interpretation boards and a programme of community involvement. A £1.6 million grant is expected from The National Lottery Heritage Fund March 2024 and further £502,000 of funding from housing developers. The improvements are expected to take about three years.
The Lakes will be drained and restored using reclaimed and locally sourced materials where possible. Sluices and leaks will be fixed.
Some Green spaces will be planted with wildflowers. Silt will be removed and reused to form new reed beds and areas for vegetation, improving biodiversity. This will also improve water quality, supporting wildlife in the River Darent.
Paths will be improved and a new natural play area with benches, waterless toilet and homes for bats and birds will be installed.
The Kent Wildlife Trust, South East Rivers Trust, Mind and Historic England are project partners and will run activities to promote conservation, protect the heritage and improve residents’ mental health.
In recent years we employed leisure experts, Land Use Consultants, to seek the views and priorities of visitors, the Bradbourne Residents’ Association and the wider community on the future of the Lakes.
The public told us they wanted action to desilt the lakes and repair the lake edges, repair broken structures and the paths, and make changes to support wildlife along with other improvements.
For more information, including the latest project timetable, view our Bradbourne Lakes questions and answers.