By Aidan Dancey, Jade Lennon, Jay Bingham, and Leo Ward
Only 6.3% of Islington’s land is green space, according to NW Londoner. This is significantly lower than the average proportion of 17% across the London boroughs.
The council has been aware of Islington’s lack of greenery, and is implementing programmes to increase green spaces and biodiversity. Measures taken include incorporating green spaces into the urban areas, improving the conditions of existing parks, and increasing tree canopy cover.
Image: Jade Lennon
The council is also promoting initiatives, including Greener Together. A pathway for residents to get planning and approval to revive unloved areas in the borough with greenery, the scheme’s ambition is to create “corridors of diversity.”
Islington is also keen on promoting its already vibrant parks and green spaces. A prime example is Laycock Green – it features an outdoor gym, a basketball court, and a children’s play area, and is a favourite among dog owners.
Islington resident Jo, who did not want to provide her surname, said that the greenery in the borough “has improved” as there is a “slight movement towards rewilding some spaces”. Though she acknowledges that Islington is still “known as being one of the least green boroughs in London”, it is clear that steps have been taken to rectify this condition.
Jo also stated that fellow Islington residents could help improve the borough’s greenery. She said, “Everyone should be encouraged to grow plants from their balconies.”
Image: Aidan Dancey
Maria Savage, business manager of Hanover Primary School on Noel Road, Islington, echoes Jo’s sentiments. The school sent multiple applications to request funding from the Greater London Authority. This scheme, called Grow Back Garden, aims to create various projects to implement green spaces for primary school children.
One of these projects was to transform Hanover’s rooftop into a green space, and reutilise a rundown garden.
Savage commented, “We have made multiple applications until we finally received a greener area for our children.”
Hanover has also cared for the greenery outside the school, the students and parents having regenerated an unused patch of land along the Regents Canal.
Although the borough of Islington lacks green space in comparison to most London areas, the local council and community are gradually revitalising the area, making it a better community for people.
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