Published: 24 May 2007
Social flowering in Chelsea
There’s a garden with a difference at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. A community garden created by the Clapton Park Estate, Hackney will show how to transform our urban landscapes whilst attracting a wealth of wildlife and encouraging the social and physical wellbeing of the residents.
The garden, a typical cross-section of one of the estate’s transformed green spaces, is being sponsored by Clapton Park Estate’s Tenant Management Organisation, Natural England, Green Estates, Pictorial Meadows (seed providers) and Neighbourhoods Green.
By sowing annual flower seed, the muddy edges of the estate have been transformed into wildflower meadows.
These formerly neglected grass corners require no watering or herbicide, which has resulted in improved biodiversity and less vandalism - all for less cost.
The Clapton Park Estate’s venture started 5 years ago when the Tenant Management Organisation decided they wanted to add excitement and colour to the estate’s 120 green spaces.
They approached ‘The Grass Roof Company’ to help them achieve this.
John Little of ‘The Grass Roof Company‘ said:
“Put poppies in front of a dull fence and suddenly the space makes you smile…all for 50p worth of seed.”
The results of this project have made a huge impact to the residents of the 1,200 properties on the estate, whose view of the green spaces around them has changed as a result of the project.
Pride in the results has encouraged them come to Chelsea and demonstrate to others what can be achieved in a city housing estate.
Jan Cowdell from the Clapton Park Estate said:
”We are here to show everyone what can be done and, we hope, encourage other estates to take a fresh look at their green spaces.
Our estate is now one where the residents have every reason to talk about and enjoy the green spaces around them”.
Natural England, the Government’s wildlife agency, has been working in partnership with Neighbourhoods Green in their quest to improve the open spaces owned and managed by social landlords, by analysing problems and identifying possible solutions.
The Clapton Park Estate is seen as a prime example of what can be achieved by communities working together on housing estates.
Mathew Frith of Peabody Trust (a lead partner of the Neighbourhoods Green project) said:
“The brilliant flowering at Clapton Park Estate is an excellent demonstration of how social housing landscapes can be transformed through a little innovation and courage to break away from the orthodoxy of green deserts.
Neighbourhoods Green looks forward to further promoting such examples to others within the sector.”
Alison Barnes, Regional Director for Natural England’s London Region said:
“We are extremely excited by the work that has been done by the community at the Clapton Park Estate and the example it sets for the many similar estates across London and beyond.
Not only are these enhancements better for wildlife but they have major health and social benefits.
Daily contact with nature brings the obvious physical benefits of encouraging people to be outdoors more often; and spaces enlivened by colourful plants, birdsong and the buzzing of bees lift the spirit and are good for the soul.
We fully support the work of Neighbourhoods Green in highlighting the importance of the greenspaces owned and managed by social housing providers and are delighted to be able to sponsor this project.”
As Derek, Clapton Park resident said:
“I love it. It makes me feel good, it makes me feel free, in touch with nature, in touch with my childhood”.
Further information
Natural England - London
The Clapton Park Tenant Management Organisation – Tel: 020 8356 6300
The Grass Roof Company
Neighbourhoods Green
Pictorial Meadows (seed providers)
Peabody Trust
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