Residents go wild for nature on Tottenham’s Ferry Lane estate

Friday 20 January 2012

On Wednesday, 18 January, Homes for Haringey got together with local residents and the London Wildlife Trust to clear the woodland area on Ferry Lane estate, Tottenham, from debris and litter in order to turn it into an attractive wildlife hotspot.

Ferry Lane is the fifth largest estate in Haringey and one of the greenest in the UK. Due to its unique location near the Tottenham Marshes and Lee Valley Regional Park, the central woodland area on the estate is already an important wildlife corridor for birds, foxes, hedgehogs, voles, bats, and squirrels.

Thanks to the efforts of local resident and wildlife enthusiast, Jeanette Sitton, Homes for Haringey partnered up with the Natural Estates Project. This is a multi-partner project enabling residents from nine London housing estates to create green spaces and wildlife friendly gardens. The initiative is possible thanks to money from Access to Nature, a multi-million pound scheme run by Natural England and funded by the Big Lottery Fund. Improvements planned for Ferry Lane include planting bulbs, sowing wildflower seed, erecting bird feeders, creating minibeast habitats and building a hedgehog hibernaculum.

Jeanette, a keen wildlife enthusiast and ‘local bat person’ holds regular talks to pupils at Ferry Lane Primary School about bats which is proving very popular with the young people. Jeanette says: “I've always loved wildlife so moving to this area 26 years ago was a dream for me. It meant being close to London and close to nature at the same time. As part of my voluntary work with Lee Valley Bats, I really enjoy talking to the young people about bats because they get so interested and enthusiastic which is great.”

Homes for Haringey has already funded the installation of bat boxes last year. Partnering up with the Natural Estates meant that Ferry Lane estate now have a dedicated London Wildlife Trust officer on board to help with the improvements. The London Wildlife Trust also run regular events to create awareness of the local environment and wildlife issues.

Peter Purdie, Head of Estate Services, said: “We are committed to constantly improving the landscape of our estates for both tenants and visitors, and are pleased to support Ferry Lane residents in setting up wildlife habitats and creating more flower beds on the estate. This will help protect endangered local wildlife, benefit the local environment, and make Ferry Lane a more attractive and interesting place to live.”

Local Councillor and Ferry Lane resident, Lorna Reith, said: “It is absolutely fantastic how local residents have taken the initiative to improve the natural areas of our estate and create habitats suitable for local wildlife such as bats and hedgehogs. Their efforts promote a better understanding of how important natural fauna and flora are to our local area, and they are a brilliant way to get residents, especially young people, involved.”  

To get involved with the project on Ferry Lane, contact Kirsten Downer, Community Project Officer (Natural Estates) on 07971 077 084 or email her at: kdowner@wildlondon.org.uk

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