Natural England - Our work in the region

Our work in the region

Natural England in London – setting the scene

The London region is complex and diverse in many ways. London has a unique institutional framework – the only region with a directly elected Mayor and regional assembly (See www.london.gov.uk). London has the most diverse set of communities measured both in terms of socio-economics and ethnicity. London 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 - London’s Programmes

To meet this challenge, we have developed distinctive programmes for London against each of our four Strategic Outcomes (see our Strategic Direction at www.naturalengland.org.uk), which collectively are 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.

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.

Objectives of the Programmes

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

This breaks down into three distinct but integrated components:

1. Natural London, 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

London Regional Landscape Framework - May 2009

Seeks to support and go beyond existing green space policy, developing an awareness of London’s ‘Natural Signature’ – the landscapes which have shaped the history and identity of the capital. Please see the executive summary pdf document attached. Full copies of the document can be obtained from Jane Wilson, Landscape and Geodiversity Specialist on 0300 060 2773.

The report can also be viewed in sections as pdf downloads.

 

 

2. Natural London, 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

3. Natural London, 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

Natural London outcome cards pdf document

Vision for London pdf document [4.8 Mb]

State of the natural environment:  Securing our future

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