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London green spaces in need of a new life
CPRE London has found numerous London green spaces which are in ‘limbo’ – with no clear identity
This map, being developed by CPRE London, shows green field sites in London that are likely not being actively managed, possibly derelict, usually neglected, sometimes deliberately. These sites are usually protected Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) meaning they have the highest level of protection from development. Green Belt ensures London does not sprawl into the countryside, and that land within the city is ‘recycled’ and used efficiently. MOL ensures there will be large open spaces within the city in perpetuity.
The sites we are identifying are usually, but not always, in private ownership. They may have been bought by speculators and developers and put in ‘limbo’ while they wait for land values to rise or they may try to secure planning permission. There are likely to be more like this which we are not yet aware of.
CPRE London’s interest in identifying these sites is to demonstrate there are many sites which have vast potential to fulfil the Mayor’s habitat creation targets, as well as sites to build the many wetlands which are needed to make London resilient to climate change and to filter rainwater from road drains to stop road run-off pollution going straight into London’s rivers.
CPRE London is therefore campaigning to ensure these sites are not left ‘in limbo’ and instead are given a clear new identity. We want as many as possible of these sites to be allocated for specific habitats or functions, as part of the London Nature Recovery Strategy and the new London Plan – to serve useful – indeed critical purposes – as nature reserves, wetlands for rainwater management and filtering water pollutants, for sports fields, new parks and more.
Giving these sites a clear function and identity will also help ensure they do not come under threat from development – so London does not sprawl further into productive farmland and England’s precious countryside, and so our open spaces within the city are able to serve London’s population for years to come.
