Say hello to London’s newest nature reserve, Warren Farm

Warren Farm, part of Brent River Park in the borough of Ealing, has officially been declared a Local Nature Reserve by Ealing Council.

The rewilded 61-acre urban meadow was under threat of redevelopment as a sports complex. It was part of CPRE London’s Ten New Parks campaign (now named Creating New Parks for London) and our January report, ‘Cashing-in on the countryside’.

Now, following extensive local campaigning, along with support from Chris Packham, Kabir Kaul, Iolo Williams, organisations including CPRE London, and more than 26,000 petition signatories, the site has been formally designated a Local Nature Reserve by Ealing Council.

The proposed sports facilities will be relocated to the neighbouring land owned by Imperial College. This will safeguard Warren Farm Nature Reserve and its rare species, including wildflowers, butterflies, owls and a quarter of London’s breeding skylark population, while allowing for the creation of a Brownfield Nature Reserve to act as a vital Buffer Zone between the sports fields and the main rewilded meadow.

Katie Boyles, chair of the Brent River Park Charity and the campaign organiser, said: “We are incredibly grateful to CPRE London for their support in helping us safeguard our grassland and wildflower meadow, Warren Farm Nature Reserve.”

“[They] provided us with guidance and helped us to raise public awareness, demonstrating just how crucial London’s parks are – for wildlife, for our community, and for the vital role that accessible green spaces and thriving urban nature on our doorsteps play in the health, resilience and future of our city.”

“We hope this success helps amplify the voices of other campaign groups working to secure greater protection for the nature-filled sites they cherish.”

Thank you to everyone who made this campaign a success – watch the video below for more.