Castle Point Borough Council responds to correspondence on Canvey Lake
Castle Point Borough Council acknowledges a formal letter received from Canvey Island Town Council regarding the future management of Canvey Lake.
We appreciate the Town Council’s engagement on this matter and wish to confirm the following.
- We know that there has been a sustained social media campaign against the Town Council, but we remain supportive of the Town Council’s day-to-day stewardship of Canvey Lake, recognising the care and dedication which has been demonstrated over the last 15 years.
- The existing lease, granted by the previous administration, contains no enforceable commitments for capital works by any party.
- Any significant works proposed—such as those recommended in a recent ecology report—would require collaboration between all relevant stakeholders. This includes Canvey Island Town Council, Castle Point Borough Council, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, and Essex County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority.
Castle Point Borough Council remains committed to preserving Canvey Lake not only as a cherished green space and wildlife habitat, but also as a key feature in our local flood prevention system. The Lake plays an important role in managing heavy rainfall by safely holding excess water and helping to reduce flood risk in the surrounding area.
Cllr Warren Gibson, Deputy Leader of Castle Point Borough Council said: “We understand the importance of Canvey Lake to the community—not just as a place to enjoy nature but as an important asset for our environmental resilience.
“We are committed to working constructively with all partners to secure its future and to ensure local residents remain informed, involved, and reassured throughout this process.”