Who are we
We’re an independent group of local Hackbridge residents, workers, ecologists and stakeholders who have come together to improve an area of land for the benefit of the wider community. Our group involves members from the Bioregional, Conservation Science Group for Beddington Farmlands, Hackbridge and Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Development Group, London Wildlife Trust , Sutton Community Farm and the Wandle Forum.
This is a new group and we have recently become formally constituted. We intend to have a structure that allows wider community involvement, for local residents and organisations.
This is a new group and we have recently become formally constituted. We intend to have a structure that allows wider community involvement, for local residents and organisations.
What we would like to do
We would like to take on an underused and neglected 20 hectare site in Hackbridge, owned by Sutton Council and turn it into a vibrant, community-led and governed park.
We would like the land to be a productive, sustainable, engaging space that demonstrates how we can benefit from and improve our natural environment. The community lacks a range of facilities that we want realised, giving us an outdoor hub for activities, education, habitat restoration, food-growing and a gateway to connect people to Beddington Farmlands (a 400 acre nature reserve) and the wider green corridor of the Wandle Valley Regional Park.
With the land under community management it would be a site for nature, recreation and also a provider of services. Possible uses include:
We would like the land to be a productive, sustainable, engaging space that demonstrates how we can benefit from and improve our natural environment. The community lacks a range of facilities that we want realised, giving us an outdoor hub for activities, education, habitat restoration, food-growing and a gateway to connect people to Beddington Farmlands (a 400 acre nature reserve) and the wider green corridor of the Wandle Valley Regional Park.
With the land under community management it would be a site for nature, recreation and also a provider of services. Possible uses include:
- Outdoor activities: such as nature tours, cycle paths, bird watching, photography, walking and running.
- Renewable energy generation: solar panels that generate renewable energy for the community and income to cover the ongoing running costs for the park.
- Habitat restoration: increasing the ecological value of the land whilst also creating places for people to engage with and learn about the wildlife.
- Sustainable food growing: providing healthy, sustainable produce to the local area.
- Natural swimming pool: a low impact pool providing a unique, local place for people to swim and exercise.
- Social support services: providing volunteering, mentoring and construction opportunities to help people integrate with the community, gain skills and confidence.
What stage are we at?
In 2015, we secured a small amount of funding from the SIB Group to conduct a pre-feasibility study which has now been completed. This report examined the current status and issues surrounding the site, identifying the stakeholders and a community consultation to determine a vision for the land. Community consultation is a very important part of the whole journey, involving local residents to develop the shared vision and understand how they can participate. The pre-feasibility work also formulated options for our group in terms of organisational structure and the pathway to eventually obtaining access to the site.
Initial conversations with Sutton Council and Day Group indicate that they are willing to consider community uses and management of the land. To progress the project, we need to further these discussions with the landowners to secure written commitment towards the ecology park. This is one of the sticking points that prevents us raising any further funds. Further engagement with key stakeholders, such as the Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust, Hackbridge Neighbourhood Development Group and Bioregional, may also help unlock new opportunities to progress the project.
As of August 2016, our next steps include:
Initial conversations with Sutton Council and Day Group indicate that they are willing to consider community uses and management of the land. To progress the project, we need to further these discussions with the landowners to secure written commitment towards the ecology park. This is one of the sticking points that prevents us raising any further funds. Further engagement with key stakeholders, such as the Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust, Hackbridge Neighbourhood Development Group and Bioregional, may also help unlock new opportunities to progress the project.
As of August 2016, our next steps include:
- Considering whether it would be advantageous to form a ‘Friends of Group’ to support discussions with Sutton Council.
- Develop an MOU with Day Group (as part of the community energy project)
- Continue fundraising, which shapes the next actions...
- Engage local businesses, organisations and key stakeholders around Hackbridge and achieve community buy-in
- Organise a specific community event to present the group’s vision to the wider Hackbridge community
- Have a succinct business plan for the Hackbridge Ecology Park Group
- Increase presence on social media and improve the group’s website, to achieve an increase in visitor numbers
- Develop a clear strategy to move forward to the next stage
- Work in partnership with key stakeholders for the land and access larger sources of funding, should opportunities arise
Finding out more and getting involved
Our group intends to operate with openness and transparency. This website gives us a space to upload information such as minutes of meetings, and other key information as the project develops. We would like interested people to feel able to contribute however please be aware that at this stage, we have no employees and very limited resources.
If you would like to have involvement or be kept up to date with this project, please contact the group by emailing: hackbridgeecopark@gmail.com. Please note that this address is not checked regularly.
If you would like to have involvement or be kept up to date with this project, please contact the group by emailing: hackbridgeecopark@gmail.com. Please note that this address is not checked regularly.
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This project has funding support from:
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Website designed by Samuel Smith
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