Extra Protection Given to Local Green Spaces
Move made after persuasive presentation to council meeting
Juliet McDonald, co-founder of a community garden group
October 23, 2023
Three triangular green spaces in Acton are to receive extra protection after lobbying by a local friends’ group.
St Dunstan’s Gardens, Friars Gardens and Friars Place Green have been described as the green lungs of the community by nearby residents.
The three sites are in the Acton Central ward which has less than 0.86 hectares of green space per 1,000 of the population, one of the lowest rates in the borough.
On Thursday 21 September, Juliet McDonald made a presentation to the borough’s Local Development Plan Advisory Committee (LDPAC) at Perceval House along with local councillor Kate Crawford to request that the committee designate them officially as Local Green Spaces (LGS).
Over 370 people had written statements in support of the Friends’ of Friars Gardens (FOFGA) request and these were handed to the clerk at the meeting. These testimonials helped prove the case that the greens were ‘demonstrably special’.
Juliet McDonald, who co-founded FOFGA, said, “It is with rapturous delight that I can tell you the LDPAC committee voted unanimously to support our proposal for the greens to be designated LGS. This is an important first step in many. The proposal now has to go through various ‘tests’ for meeting NPPF criteria, council legalities (the soil owner of 2 of the 3 greens has to be engaged with), the GLA and finally the planning inspectorate. So, it’s not a victory in itself yet, but a victory for us as a community as we’ve done our part in presenting our case - at the very best moment, to the right officers, in the most appropriate way - and our representation just has to go through the process now.”
St Dunstan's Gardens in Acton
She thanked key supporters including her husband Neal, Tricia Howey and Marie Lowe as well as the many people who volunteered to post leaflets in the area to raise awareness of the issue and added, “FOFGA’s aim was to put off predatory developers. In recent times, it has fought off two applications to build there.
“LGS is a relatively new and highly symbolic designation, offering protection similar to that afforded to green belt. As our three triangles are located in an area that has very little greenery, they are of critical importance to the community.”
East Acton Ward Councillor, Kate Crawford, explained how these small parks contribute hugely to the beauty, character and tranquillity of the area, cherished by her constituents for almost a century.
The group’s proposal will undergo further scrutiny before it makes it into the Local Plan, but residents are hopeful of success.
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