Environment Agency in U-turn over former boating lake at Southampton Sports Centre

Having seen plans to transform the disused attraction at Southampton Sports Centre into a wildflower meadow thrown out, the organisation has now pledged to work with the city council to return it to a lake.

Although initially the lake will only be a habitat for wildlife, campaigners hope it is the first step towards a return to its former glory.

For decades the boating lake was a popular source of fun for city residents, but it has been disused since 2004.

It attracted controversy when the Environment Agency dumped mountains of earth there which had been dug up as part of the flood drainage works at the neighbouring golf course.

The agency had permission from the city council to use the site temporarily, but applied to turn it into a wildflower meadow permanently.

The plans sparked outrage with opponents who said it would deprive animals such as the great-crested newt of a valuable habitat.

After the council’s planning and rights of way panel dismissed the plans last month, the agency has now scrapped them.

In a letter sent out to residents near the site, technical adviser Ian Tripp said: “We are now working with the council to remove the earth and return the boating lake to the condition it was in before the infilling commenced.”

Work to remove earth from the lake is expected to start in early September and be finished in October.

Welcoming the news, the Friends of Southampton Sports Centre’s Penny Hastings said: “The victims of this were the amphibians, so I think initially the short-term goal is to get the lake back as it was because it is an important breeding ground for the common toad and newts.

“What happens in the long-term I’m not sure, but our vision for it is to be a lake that can cater for both amphibians and humans.”

She said discussions are ongoing about putting together a long-term proposal for the site, and the group may apply for grant funding to restore it as an attraction.