Greening the grey in Hackney: have your say
New plans setting out how Hackney Council will boost green space in the borough are being consulted on over the next six weeks.
Already one of the greenest inner London boroughs*, the Council wants residents to have their say on plans to improve green space, increase planting in areas that suffer from a lack of greenery, and improve biodiversity across Hackney.
The plans form part of an ambitious strategy, which outlines how the Council intends to develop its networks of green infrastructure that can deliver physical health, mental health and environmental benefits for residents.
Green infrastructure like open spaces, wildflower meadows, trees, rain gardens and green roofs - and blue infrastructure like canals, rivers and wetlands - help to build the borough’s resilience to climate change by: preventing flooding; increasing shade and reducing summer temperatures; improving biodiversity; and, providing new habitats.
Over 40% of the borough is currently covered by green infrastructure, with trees and woodland covering 23% of the borough. The green infrastructure strategy aims to protect and enhance these features, and significantly increase greenery in areas where it is most needed, like: Shoreditch, Haggerston, Hoxton, Dalston, Hackney Central, London Fields and De Beauvoir.
In responding to climate change, we have the opportunity to protect and champion our sites of nature conservation and better connect our parks and waterways, greening the grey areas of our borough - where more trees, pocket parks, rain gardens, food growing and wildlife habitats can help to create a healthier, more natural environment for all residents.
The objectives and opportunities in this strategy set out how we would like to transform the borough to benefit future generations so we really want people to have their say at this draft stage.
Hackney has a long-tradition of conserving wildlife, much of it led and delivered by community groups and volunteers. Alongside the strategy, the Council is releasing its nature recovery plan which has been developed with input from those leading and implementing actions for nature across the borough. The plan identifies the areas in the borough where the Council intends to work together with local experts and communities to enhance habitats and biodiversity, ensuring the borough is doing its part to conserve nature and help wildlife flourish.
Residents can have their say on the Green Infrastructure Strategy at: https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/chief-executives-office/green-infrastructure-strategy/
The consultation closes on 23 March 2022.