A wetlands area, solar panels and even a wind turbine will help the venue and park reduce their carbon footprint, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Ally Pally and (inset) Emma Dagnes, chief exec of Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust

New wetlands, solar panels and a temporary wind turbine are the latest sustainability improvements coming to Alexandra Palace and Park.

A £50,000 grant from the Greater London Authority was awarded to the Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust to fund phase one of a wetlands project in the southeast corner of the park.

The site, next to the cricket ground, has deteriorated, and as such the project aims to restore and increase the “quality of the habitat”. Work is anticipated to start on the project in autumn.

The new wetlands will control surface water levels and reclaim formerly muddy paths, increase the diversity of birds by introducing a new reedbed, and desilt the pond, removing sediment to increase its capacity and quality.

A reduction in water levels entering a public drainage system and the creation of new ponds to increase the area of aquatic habitat are also planned.

The grant will fund initial works but planning permission will be sought over the summer period, for the whole scheme.

An installation of 24 solar panels is planned for the roof of the park’s sports pavilion, supported by a £15,000 grant from Haringey Council’s community carbon fund.

The trust estimates 10,000kWh of electricity will be generated per year and will remove the carbon dioxide equivalent of 2.25 tonnes of emissions.

The park is also set to host Octopus Energy’s pink wind turbine, ‘Gusty Spinfield’. The 28-metre temporary turbine will sit on top of the park’s hill from 6th-25th July, powering food stands and bars for events taking place throughout the month.

The improvements were discussed during a meeting of the park’s committee on Monday (1st).

Emma Dagnes, chief executive at Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, said: “Our vision for the future of Ally Pally is to become a sustainable home for everything we do. We are only at the start of this journey, but our ambition is huge.”

Speaking on the renewable energy sources being introduced she said these were “an amazing learning opportunity” and raised awareness for the climate emergency.

She said: “Ally Pally was built as the ‘people’s palace’ 150 years ago. A spirit of daring and innovation has steered us through the last century and a half.

“We’ve been home to major technological advances and world firsts. We want to embrace that spirit more than ever. The single biggest threat we face is the climate emergency and we are determined that Alexandra Palace can be part of the solution.”

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