Ask your local election candidates to stand up for green space

There are not enough green spaces in London. Many green spaces are derelict or neglected. And, incredibly, London’s parks continue to come under threat from planning applications. But your local councillors – and you – can change this.

Please help save London’s parks and green spaces!

Our March 2002 report details 50 threats to London’s parks and green spaces and explains why this is happening.

• Forever Green? Privatisation, neglect and financial gain: why 50 London parks and green spaces are under threat and how we can save them.

Here’s what you can do

• Ask your election candidates or local councillors to support six pledges set out below
• Tell us about any neglected green spaces in your area and perhaps set up a local group to create a new or better local park or green space there. There is lots of advice available from Parks Community or get in touch with us office@cprelondon.org.uk.
• Join your local park friends group – you can find their details at GoParksLondon.

Six pledges we want to hear from 2022 local election candidates and local councillors:

1. “I will… identify derelict and neglected greenspaces in my borough, and any green spaces threat, and actively work with the community to bring them back into use especially if they are at risk.”

2. “I will… ensure housing estate ‘infill’ schemes don’t leave residents with inadequate green space and where necessary will create more green and communal open space by turning ‘grey space’, currently given to car parking and roads, into green and community open space.”

3. “I will… invest in parks, support park friends groups and promote and champion our parks.I will ensure parks are well maintained, improved and valued and I will support the creation of more local Park Friends Groups, so we make best use of our green spaces.”

4. “I will… protect our parks and green spaces including by promoting the use of the Local Green Space* designation. I will not sell, permit development on, or commercialise parks and green spaces in the borough, either to raise money or benefit private or exclusive interests. I will respect public amenity covenants, even on privately owned land.”

5. “I will… protect Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land and ensure new housing and other necessary development is built on brownfield sites. I won’t justify loss of green space by citing the need for homes, schools or other development: these can be accommodated on previously developed land.”

6. “I will… create 30 more parks in areas with not enough green space by 2026, by converting greyspace into ‘streetparks’.”

CPRE London’s commitment to London’s parks and green spaces

✓ We support local groups, helping them save vital parks; and supporting them to create new parks from neglected and derelict green spaces.
✓ We identify the reasons spaces are coming under threat and work to tackle the causes.
✓ We champion parks, green spaces, Metropolitan Open Land and Green Belt, showing why they are so important.
✓ We publicise threats and advocate for political commitment, new policies and legislation to tackle them.

You can donate to our Winter Appeal here.

As ever, thank you for your support.

Alice Roberts, Head of Campaigns, CPRE London