Our work in the region
Natural England in London – setting the scene
London is complex and diverse in many ways. It has a unique institutional framework – the only area with a directly elected Mayor and regional assembly. London has the most diverse set of communities measured both in terms of socio-economics and ethnicity. It is predominantly urban. London is a crowded market-place. Many organisations are operating in the same arena as Natural England and developing programmes and initiatives that address similar issues.
Natural London
To meet this challenge, we have developed 3 distinct but integrated programmes for London, collectively promoted as Natural London.
These programmes describe our work in London defining our unique contribution and how we will deliver it. They focus the resources of Natural England in London on selected work areas and projects to deliver a concentrated impact that is relevant to the region and makes a specific, urban contribution to Natural England’s corporate objectives.
1. Wild London
Aim: Wild London will ensure that London’s unique habitats and the wildlife they support are robust and healthy, supporting partners to carry out good land management while encouraging people to enjoy and appreciate the capital’s best wildlife and finest landscapes.
Key Objectives:
- London’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest are in favourable condition
- Core London landscapes are characterised by the natural environment not just the built environment
- These core areas are linked physically and conceptually to the wider greenspace network
- London Plan biodiversity targets are met or exceeded
- Management of land is improved by developing land management partnerships
More about Wild London
2. Active London
Aim: Active London will promote and secure accessible natural greenspace in the places where people live, work and play, and encourage people to use and appreciate the natural environment for the benefits it offers to their health and well-being.
Key Objectives:
- Increased use and appreciation of natural greenspace
- Greater participation in healthy walking and green exercise schemes
- The elimination of Areas of Deficiency (those areas which are more than 1km from an accessible site of importance for nature conservation, of Metropolitan or Borough importance)
- Creation and enhancement of green links to the greenspace network and between existing greenspaces
- Use of London’s finest landscapes and most wildlife rich places reflects London’s social and ethnic diversity
- Targeting resources to deprived and socially excluded communities
More about Active London
3. Future London
Aim: Future London will secure a green infrastructure (comprising the greenspace network and and a greening of the built environment) that contributes to climate change adaptation and enhances biodiversity, landscape and access to the natural environment.
Key Objectives:
- Strategic land-use planning becomes a mechanism for promoting enhancement of the natural environment
- Existing biodiversity and landscape assets are safeguarded through land-allocation and development control policies
- Green infrastructure and biodiversity conservation features is integrated into the design of all new developments and new urban landscapes
- Regeneration projects result in improved access to the natural environment
- Green roofs, river restoration, naturalised sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and tree-planting within the urban fabric, are standard climate change adaptation techniques
More about Future London
Our goal
Natural London’s overarching aim is to ensure that the natural environment is at the heart of our city today and in the future by:
- conserving and creating wildlife habitat
- improving the quality, accessibility and active enjoyment of natural greenspace
- promoting understanding of the role of the green space network in our city and the benefits it brings to us all
We want to show how a high quality natural environment, where people can actively engage, enjoy and understand its benefits, can contribute to London’s aspiration to be an exemplary sustainable world city.
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We have identified our priorities through evaluating spatial data (Focal Point mapping) and determining key themes (Destination Statements).
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To build on the Natural London vision we have targeted delivery across the Wild, Active and Future London programmes in a few selected key areas alongside our core work, working with partners to provide visible gains on the ground in London, and a model for urban delivery. By identifying specific spatial or thematic projects within focal areas, we have identified; these 'integrated projects' which are delivered via a cross-team project group.
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The Natural London Vision is promoted through a number of key documents.
