Lottery win for Ferry Lane estate to go wild

Tuesday 2 November 2010

A project to help residents from a South Tottenham estate enjoy and improve their estate landscape has just received three years’ funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

Funded by Access to Nature, part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, the Natural Estates project is supporting residents from nine housing estates across London make their communal spaces better for wildlife and people. Over £36k earmarked for the Ferry Lane estate, near Tottenham, N17, will go towards funding the project and staffing costs over three years. The project, run by Natural England, will also help residents learn more about nature, keep active and stay fit whilst planning improvements to enhance the green spaces on their doorstep.

Green space on Ferry Lane estate in Tottenham

A number of social landlords and two environmental organisations are involved with the project partnership. Two specialist project officers have been appointed to the programme to support residents in making their communal spaces greener and better for wildlife and people.

Residents will choose from activities including:

  • growing colourful plants to attract wildlife
  • installing bird boxes/feeders
  • environmental art
  • walks and talks
  • visits to nature reserves

Paul Bridge, Chief Executive, Homes for Haringey, said: “We are delighted to win this lottery funding. This isa great opportunity for usto work in partnership with our residents, the London Wildlife Trust, Groundworks and the Council’s Parks Service to further improve the green space on the Ferry Lane Estate. We will make it a better place for wildlife and people through a range of exciting initiatives, building on the strong community spirit that already exists on this estate.”

The Ferry Lane estate is a mixed tenure estate in South Tottenham housing over 700 properties including maisonettes, blocks and houses.  The area has plenty of green open space including the Paddock, one of 60 sites of importance for nature conservation within Haringey. Surrounded on two sides by water, the Paddock provides an important refuge for water birds and other aquatic animals and plants. The wilderness area in the centre of the Paddock has grown naturally to form young woodland and scrub dominated by elder, willow and blackberry, providing a valuable site for various animals.

The Natural Estates project is a partnership between London Wildlife Trust, Groundwork and eight Social Landlords: Affinity Sutton Group, Circle 33 Housing Trust, CityWest Homes, Gallions Housing Association, Homes for Haringey, Peabody, Places for People and Southern Housing Group.

Carlo Laurenzi, Chief Executive London Wildlife Trust, added: “Nearly a quarter of London’s households live in social housing so we’re really pleased at this chance to enable them to make a difference to their estate and really get the most out of their green spaces. Whether it’s through gardening, watching birds, or just playing, there’s so many ways to enjoy the outdoors right on your doorstep.”

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